I find that when reviewing a new movie, comparing it to an old one is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the sins of the older movie don’t necessarily translate to the newer. Conversely, the sins of the newer movie could be MUCH greater than the ones of the original. With “Skyline,” I have no problem comparing it to an older movie because in this case, the latter is most certainly true except for one thing: At least in “Independence Day” L.A. was blown off the face of the Earth.
Speaking of L.A. … Los Angeles, 4:27 am, strange blue lights of extraterrestrial origin arrive on Earth. Like moths to flames, people are drawn to the light, and disappear. When dawn breaks, it’s revealed the lights are ships … and the ships are alive. Look into the light, the ships eat you. Literally. Cue Eric Balfour and girlfriend Scottie Thompson to be the town criers/survivors to round up those who haven’t been eaten already for the counter-attack.
Now, I know thisn’t meant to be Shakespeare, and neither Jerry Bruckheimer nor Michael Bay have their names on this, but it looks, feels and smells like it does. This movie has unnecessary, but cool-looking, explosions, a whole boatload of advanced military tech, and an exceptionally weak plot. Honestly, I don’t know why Eric Balfour, Scottie Thompson or Donald Faison even signed onto this movie, they don’t need the cash that much. I do like the CGI, and I do like the cast selection, but that’s about all I like. If this movie is a box office success, I’ll be shocked, because it’s most definitely NOT a sleeper like “District 9.”
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I am excited for this movie because I like a sci-fi thriller. “INDEPENDENCE DAY” was a huge success and if you mix elements of that with a little bit of “War of the Worlds” and “District 9”, this could be an interesting movie. It just looks like a movie that would have been awesome in IMAX, but I guess I will just have to settle on seeing it in a regular theater.
Maybe …