Although British talent has been behind some of the best sci-fi and alien movies (Ridley Scott for starters), there has never really been a break out, fully British-made alien movie, and despite the title of this film, it is going to remain that way, for a while.
What Britain does well is comedy, and this a comedy about aliens, or one alien in particular, that was supposed to have been found in 1947 at Roswell in the USA, and subjected to the investigations of an American government agency. But this film isn’t even so much about that event, as what happened when a couple of likely lads from London, played by Geordie favourites Ant and Dec, buy a copy of the original film of the alleged Roswell autopsy. Unfortunately, the film had deteriorated and the person who has given Ray (Dec) the money to purchase the film is not someone to disappoint. Out of desperation Ray decides the only thing to do is shoot a new film with the help of his mates. This provides some of the
comedy highlights of the film.
Having created (reconstructed) this film, the two friends decide to cash in on what they’ve made and sell the film as the genuine article to TV stations around the world, which attracts bit too much attention for Ray’s friend and put-upon cohort, Gary (Ant).
The film is good fun, and despite the presence of US heavyweight actors, Bill Pullman and Harry Dean Stanton (playing Harvey, who shot the original footage), it still has all the hallmarks of a relatively low-budget independent British film. The cinematography doesn’t have the sparkle that comes from Hollywood films, looking more like a typical overcast British day than a sunny LA one. While this does capture the mood of the era (1995) it still puts a pallor over the film.
There were some nice touches though, like showing the actual Alien Autopsy TV show hosted by Jonathan Frake, which aired the homemade autopsy film. Although the film does address whether the alien autopsy actually took place or not, it does leave plenty of room for speculation, and on this score it is very successful. Where it does tend to fall down is with the two leads. They do a commendable job of portraying the two chancers, but I could not stop seeing them as Ant and Dec doing one of their Under Cover sketches from their Saturday Night Takeaway. There is no doubting their chemistry, from their having worked together for so many years, but to have made the film more convincing another pair of actors would have worked better. I guess it is a case of familiarity breeding contempt. Of course, for American audiences not familiar with two lads, this is not such an issue.
Coming out of Ealing Studios it is a lightweight comedy that tends to trivialise the real issue of whether or not there was an alien autopsy film in the first place, but it does entertain. A nice touch, for those who stay to watch the credits, is the appearance of the real Ray and Gary.
If you want to catch a film before the festival starts then it is worth a look and a laugh.