Aliens in the Attic (2009)

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

Director:

John Schultz

Writers:

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

Stars:

Ashley Tisdale, Robert Hoffman, Carter Jenkins

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Carter Jenkins	...	Tom Pearson
Austin Butler	...	Jake Pearson
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
Melise	...	Julie (as Malese Jow)
Megan Parker	...	Brooke
Maggie VandenBerghe	...	Annie Filkins

Storyline

Stuart Pearson heads with his family to spend a summer vacation in Creek Landing, Michigan, with his brother Nathan Pearson and his sons and their mother Rose in an old lake house they had rented. When the television has trouble with the image, Stuart's son Tom and the arrogant boyfriend of his sister Ricky Dillman go to the attic and then to the roof, where Tom meets his cousin Jake and they find the antenna dish totally destroyed. Sooner they discover four alien invaders that are preparing an invasion of the Earth that use a mind control weapon that only affects adults and they lock the quartet in the attic. Now they need to a find a way to force the adults to leave the house and discover the vulnerability of the invaders to plot a defense plan to save our planet.

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Plot Keywords:

attic | alien | mind control | boyfriend | nintendo ds | 

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Taglines:

They are home but they are not alone.

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for action violence, some suggestive humor and language

Details

Official Sites:

20th Century Fox [France] 20th Century Fox [United States]

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 July 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

They Came from Upstairs

Filming Locations:

Albany, Auckland, New Zealand

Box Office

Budget:

$45,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,008,423, 2 August 2009, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$25,200,412, 22 November 2009

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$57,881,056

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox,Regency Enterprises,Josephson Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Working title: They Came From Upstairs. This title appeared in some early promotional materials before being changed to Aliens in the Attic (2009).

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Goofs

Hannah's teeth change through out the movie. (Ashley Boettcher was obviously loosing her baby teeth.)

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Quotes

Bethany Pearson: One word and you're dead.
Tom Pearson: Are you crazy? If dad catches you, kill you.
Bethany Pearson: Dad is not going to catch me.

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Crazy Credits

Out takes are shown during the end credits

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Connections

Features The Legend of Zorro (2005)

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Soundtracks

Hannah and Sparks
Written and Performed by Brady Cohan

User Reviews

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.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 credible and very enthusiastic.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.