Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Parker Stevenson | ... | Paul Corliss | |
Dirk Benedict | ... | Lt. Col. Dan Lerner | |
Erin Gray | ... | Annie Corliss | |
Chad Everett | ... | General Spaulding | |
Michael Pate | ... | Wisdomkeeper | |
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Christopher Pate | ... | Sam Fools Crow |
Natalie McCurry | ... | Janine | |
Robert Mammone | ... | Michael Novado | |
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Peter Curtin | ... | Jonathon Applegate |
Regina Gaigalas | ... | Dr. Melendez (as Gina Gaigalas) | |
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Justin Monjo | ... | Franklin Kolbe |
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Michael Edward-Stevens | ... | Savage |
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Don Halbert | ... | Sergeant Bridges |
Christopher Mayer | ... | Sergeant Gilleland | |
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Chuck Perry | ... | Situation Room Controller |
A man who claims to have been abducted by aliens is also abducted by a top secret government agency, the Majestic Group, who want him to attempt to communicate with the only surviving alien from a UFO shot down by the Air Force. Telepathically, the alien tells him it must be returned to its ship, where it will reveal a secret vital to the future of the planet. Written by Alexander Lum <aj_lum@postoffice.utas.edu.au>
I didn't expect very much from this, and I wasn't disappointed. First let me say the plot is generally strong - with good ideas and a strong (ish) finish. It's basically an X-files type story with a military cover-up going on relating to alien abductions....you know- quite a popular (unoriginal) story line that would usually mean a good film.
However here, a good story is hampered by actors that are ok for TV movies but serve to take away from the story by not being totally convincing, although in fairness Parker Stevenson does have several good sensitive moments. Also the production values are not that high, although there are plenty of on-location shoots, and the internals all look convincing.
The big fall down is the special effects which are of TV standard - it's hard to go along with the action when the aliens are so clearly children in suits and optical special effects are cheap editing tricks. For example when Stevenson meets one of his alien abductors, his performance means you believe he was abducted and his emotions are real - but you can't get over the fact that the alien is a small person in a rubber Halloween costume!
Overall what could have been a better film with a clever (if unoriginal) story is let down by TV acting and pretty poor special effects.