Review of Earth to Echo (2014) by Rudy H — 01 Jul 2014

Found Footage films that are done right are successful not because they don't shake the camera so much: they find a convincing reason as to just why that certain style was chosen. EARTH TO ECHO seems to have found a reason in terms of budgetary reasons, however not in terms of the film's story. Aside from it clearly showing influence of classic 80s films like E.T. THE GOONIES and STAND BY ME. Unfortunately while the film is never ripping any of the films off, it does seem like Director Dave Green is at times caught up with trying to emulate that chemistry which made those these child actors were told to adhere to a strong seeming chemistry as mentioned films so wonderful and forgets to really do anything else.

The child actors are all fairly impressive and really work well together but I could never get the feeling that unlike the recent SUPER 8 where that perfect chemistry seemed to come out naturally and wasn't so forced or the only thing being presented, ECHO forgets to develop the story's basic plot points to anything more than just barely there conflict. The kids need to get find a way to help the alien ECHO get home as well as avoid these adult authorities. Aside from a small kidnapping there is hardly ever a struggle presented to the kids that makes the audience feel as if they are in any sort of true danger, akin to something like in E.T. where the kid nearly dies and in SUPER 8 where the entire town is heavily guarded and evacuated as well as destroyed.

The found footage aspect is a worthy filming style but here it's nauseating or annoying, it just comes off as unnecessary and not gimmicky, but a way to cover up the film's tiny budget. The trailer showcases a scene in which a full semi-truck blows apart and reassembles. Aside from this admittedly cool shot, there are only two more (short) special effects sequences of that scale. EARTH TO ECHO wants to pay homage to those classic children as the heroes films without seemingly rip them off but by focusing too much on making the children likeable and admittedly great to watch them interact, the actual story of the film along with the lack of any higher stakes like those films it's paying tribute to, EARTH TO ECHO comes across as a film that disappoints not because of its; unoriginality but because of its' somewhat tame and held back nature. RATING: C+.