12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Very Clever Variant on a Routine Storyline, April 2, 2001
This review is from: Alien Nation (DVD)
Alien nation is so novel and clever that its already over before you realize that it is the same basic buddy cop theme that's been done to death in Hollywood. The "murder to cover up a drug conspiracy in high places" plot is more than a bit familiar, but the writers came up with a fascinating science fiction premise that made the end product entirely worth while. Nothing in the performances apart from the special effects is earth shaking, but the screenwriter did a magnificent job in creating a film that holds the attention and engages the interest. This was a very worthy project and never seemed hackneyed, although there are a lot of similar films that do so almost effortlessly. I recommend it heartily.
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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
yes -- i really like it but really want the tv series.., December 17, 2004
This review is from: Alien Nation (DVD)
this is a great pilot for the tv series that followed. the tv series allowed each character to grow and change, and their alien-ness to one another to blur as they continued to fight crime.
there were a lot of layers to this series besides the basic sci-fi "stranger in a strange land"-"my how different we are" type of story. The episodes dealt with family, romance, detective work, friendship, and a horrific past endured on the way to planet earth.
It has that blade-runner sort of feel, on the edge of the apocalypse type of city, and a pinch of buckaroo bonzai, cagney and lacey (the team had to prove themselves and break "glass ceilings") mixed up with a dash of starman for good measure.
i really enjoyed the tongue in cheek, the partnership formed, and the overcoming of racism.
...'bring me your huddled masses..." i really really implore the powers that be to bring the tv series to DVD.
Thank you in advance.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good movie, great show, October 13, 2004
This review is from: Alien Nation (DVD)
I saw the TV series before I saw the movie. The movie is pretty good, and I'm glad it's out on DVD. The series and subsequent TV-movies were an excellent continuation of the movie, and I'm adding my vote that I hope they make it to DVD too.
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