KIDS VS. ALIENS (2023)

 

Directed & Edited By: Jason Eisener Written By: John Davies & Jason Eisener  Cinematography: Mat Berkley 

Cast: Dominic Mariche, Pheobe Rex, Calem MacDonald, Asher Grayson, Ben Tector, Emma Vickers, Isaiah Fortune

An all-time rager of a teen house party turns to terror when aliens attack, forcing two warring siblings to band together to survive the night.

This Is like an R-rated Amblin film, but it seems to lack heart. It gets points for presenting a more realistic at times version of characters and events,  it also seems to have a cruel heart that seems determined to show the worst. Not cynical and humorous, just evil characters at times.

So it lacks a certain Joy and commitment of a film like PSYCHO GOREMAN. As a kid's film with childish sensibilities. This seems more made for adults and just happens to involve kids as main characters. 

Amblin films put kids in danger with steaks but also provide a bit of nostalgia or make you wish you went on those adventures. This is more bleak.

The film is an extension of one of the short films from V/H/S 2. So it’s coming from a macabre cinematic universe. Where it seems determined to break the rules, be deletions, and go overboard altogether.

You can call it a kids film and an alien invasion film With some drugs, violence, and more. Taken from a youthful outlook. It has a little adult outlook and a more independent version of the film McG’s RIM OF THE WORLD. Though similar this film has rougher edges.

You have kids cursing constantly and some scenes of violence. Where it feels like it could have been made by the kid's characters in the movie. Only with more skilled production design.

The film offers an ending that is as cruel as the movie comes off at times. Which makes the whole endeavor not as much fun as it seeks. Which is a crucial element in films of this type. As there isn’t quite a mixture that works here.

It comes across as a fashion sense of the times. As short as it is. It stays somewhat entertaining in where they are going with this and how far.

The aliens are basic and look a little better than guys in suits. 

I really wanted to like it, but can only give it a mild recommendation depending on what you Are looking to get out of it.

Grade: C