Aliens in the Attic (2009)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

John Schultz

Writers (WGA):

Mark Burton (screenplay) and
Adam F. Goldberg (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

31 July 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

The aliens vs. the Pearsons

Plot:

A group of kids must protect their vacation home from invading aliens. |

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Antigravity | Heating Vent | Fishing | Scene During End Credits

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Carter Jenkins	...	Tom Pearson
Austin Robert Butler	...	Jake Pearson (as Austin Butler)
Ashley Tisdale	...	Bethany Pearson
Ashley Boettcher	...	Hannah Pearson
Henri Young	...	Art Pearson
Regan Young	...	Lee Pearson
Doris Roberts	...	Nana Rose Pearson
Robert Hoffman	...	Ricky Dillman
Kevin Nealon	...	Stuart Pearson
Gillian Vigman	...	Nina Pearson
Andy Richter	...	Uncle Nathan Pearson
Tim Meadows	...	Sheriff Doug Armstrong
Malese Jow	...	Julie
Megan Parker	...	Brooke
Maggie VandenBerghe	...	Annie Filkins

Also Known As:

They Came from Upstairs (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for action violence, some suggestive humor and language.

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #44719) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Ireland:PG | Canada:G (Quebec) | Singapore:PG | Argentina:Atp | Philippines:G (MTRCB) | Mexico:A | Australia:PG | Finland:K-7

Filming Locations:

Albany, Auckland, New Zealand

Company:

Josephson Entertainment

Goofs:

Continuity: When Ricky is "on pause" in the kitchen and controlled by the alien remote, he is wearing a button down shirt. When he enters the room to fight Nana he is wearing a pullover shirt.

Quotes:

Jake Pearson: We're gonna need a bigger potato.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Great American Road Trip: Gateway to the West (#1.2)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

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An entertaining family film

I went to see Aliens in the Attic with a bit of distrust,in sight of all the modern family films which are full of special effects,whose screenplays completely lack of any energy or intelligence and whose direction is completely mercenary.However,during the first minutes of Aliens in the Attic,my bad expectations started to disappear because the chemistry between the actors was good and the humor was a bit above the standard of what we are accustomed to see on this kind of film.Besides,during those first minutes,I dared to think that this movie was going to capture the spirit and tone of films like Gremlins,Critters or Small Soldiers,where a group of kids and teenagers also used their intelligence and ability in order to fight against creatures with doubtful intentions.However,although Aliens in the Attic did not reach the heights of the previously mentioned movies,I cannot deny it entertained me.

The cast from this film was very well selected.Kevin Nealon and Andy Richter are funny in their roles,while Tim Meadows is very sympathetic.From the young actors,I think the best one was Robert Hoffman as a teenager who is kidnapped by the aliens.The screenplay from this movie has various fails,like for example,the lack of logic in its premise (if aliens can control people,why did they not start with someone who is powerful,instead of an anonymous family?),but it tells the story at a speed which makes Aliens in the Attic impossible to be boring.However,although it never bores,the film looses some energy near the ending,where director John Schultz generates a forced suspense,at the same time the story brings its obligatory message.

In spite of its various fails,I cannot deny I had a good time watching Aliens in the Attic,so I think this film deserves a recommendation as a good family entertainment.