Review of Skyline (2010) by Johnny T — 09 Feb 2012

It isn't clever. It isn't original. It isn't scary. At best, Skyline is a proficient, forgettable programmer that only occasionally lapses into irredeemably silliness. Their (The Brothers Strause) effects are pretty good, on a fairly limited budget. And that's about all you can say for Skyline. Visual-effects wizards Greg and Colin Strause directed, showing more affinity for the city's steel and glass than for any of the characters. Some obvious comparables for Skyline are "Independence Day" and Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds," but there is nothing here that even approaches the comic-book verve of the first or the churning dread of the second. Beyond the dazzling "first contact" sequences seen in the trailers, Skyline is a spasmodic and incoherent shambles hampered by an astoundingly stupid screenplay. The Strauses don't care about how to keep an audience. Their movie has no sense of suspense or dread - Skyline is an apocalypse movie that plods like one of Romero's zombies. So intent are the Strausses on showing off their visual chops, they leave the film's story, dialogue and acting in shambles.

VERDICT: "Not So Hot" - [Negative Reaction] These films are truly terrible films. They are not the worst things ever made, but they are definitely awful and should not be seen by anyone. (Films that are rated 1.5 or 2 stars).