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Is it worth $10? No
I’m a sucker for the found-footage film. When Milla Jovovich came on screen at the beginning of “The Fourth Kind,” introduced herself, and stated directly to the camera – to me – that all the footage that would be shown was completely real, I was caught hook, line, and sinker. I left the theatre shaken up and concerned/justified. Prior to the film, I just knew that alien abductions were real and here was the proof! Then the Alaska state archives proved that there had never been a Dr. Abigail Tyler. I had been tricked and, like a good practical joke, I appreciated it. NASA, however, didn’t give me the same opportunity with “Apollo 18” since they irrevocably announced that the film was complete fiction earlier this week. Spoil sports.
The movie is about a declassified Apollo mission to the moon to deploy a type of radar scanner that would alert the United States to any Russian attack. At least, that’s what the astronauts Nate and Ben think. Instead the Department of Defense sent them to a suspected hostile environment to do…something. The true reason behind the mission is never explicitly disclosed. Regardless, things go wrong as conveniently placed motion-activated and security cameras flicker and turn static-y anytime something might be lurking.
The film is set in the early 1970s so that gives the filmmakers an excuse to utilize grainy footage and poorly cut film techniques to never really reveal what might be terrorizing the astronauts. Some critics might scoff at the cop-out of never really showing a creature, but just like “Jaws” or the original “Alien,” not really seeing a lot of things adds to the suspense. That’s why it was a bummer when the little buggers (spoiler?) did actually “pose” for the camera. Let’s just say I may not ever order stone crabs again.
The thing that bothered me the most about the film was the inexplicable placement of cameras. Rather than relying on the static camera placement of films like “Paranormal Activity,” “Apollo 18” uses footage from, by my count, at least seven different cameras, making it seem more like a movie set than “captured” footage. How the footage was even recovered is anyone’s guess. Perhaps it was just transmitted and saved on NASA’s DVR. For the most part, the style seems realistic enough considering ‘70s technology and general space interference, but there are times when the picture is a little too clear or a smite too blurry.
As far as the acting, there is a reason these guys are relative unknowns, though Lloyd Owen (Astronaut Nate) did play Henry Jones, Sr. on “The Young Adventures of Indiana Jones.” There was nothing monumental about their ability to yell (remember guys, “in space no one can hear you scream”) and act scared. Even then, they didn’t act nearly scared enough considering they were on strange turf being terrorized by aliens. This could be why the fear doesn’t really translate to the audience. This is fine by me. I’ve never seen the appeal in watching a movie from behind one’s eyelids. But I’m sure there will be some who are disappointed by it.
This was Spanish-director Gonzalo López-Gallego’s first full-length American film and it is a decent offering but it failed to make the same sort of impression that “The Fourth Kind,” “Paranormal Activity,” or even “Cloverfield” delivered. It was entertaining enough but would have benefitted from cleaner editing (not in style but in scene development) and less rigid performances. The story, relying on fear of the Commies to drive the action (for a time, Nate and Ben think a Russian is sabotaging them), is unoriginal but fitting. The scares are not constant and don’t linger after the movie is over, but that might benefit those too faint-of-heart to see the “Paranormal Activity” films. Is it worth $10? That depends on you, but similarly themed (if not styled) “Super 8” would have been a far better investment of your cash.
Promo image below.
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samullins1
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... URGH! Not another Paranormal Activity Fake "Real" Movie.... Atleast with Blair Witch & the Fourth Kind, the promotion before was sooooooo low key than people still thought it was real. That is what made it spooky. Knowing it's fake right off the bat, it would be better off making it with better production as a sci-fi film. I won't be going to see this one.... wait till it comes to real TV with the commerial breaks. |
slipstream
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... I enjoy conspiricy type movies but by the trailer not sure what to think did not look good enough to pay for at theater prices. Would have seen it if during a free screening but will wait for the dvd to rent. |
joshhollywood
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... Youre right its not worth the 10 its worth the matinee price.this movie even though the Weinstein Brothers produced this film too me this film didnt seem like it went on for more than hour but i sure did.  |
tstoinski
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... I saw this movie the other night. It was so terribly boring I was easily distracted by the antics of the annoying teens sitting in front of me. I equate this film to a remake of the Blair Witch Project set on the moon. The story and characters never developed to their potential, and I felt as though I could fall asleep even as the movie tries to scare you. I wasted my $15.00 and would have been more entertained by watching monkeys throw fecal material at an audience. |
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