Skyline (03/22/2011)

Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, some language, and brief sexual content.

Starring Eric Balfour, Scottie Thompson, David Zayas, and Donald Faison

Directed by Colin Strause and Greg Strause (Aliens vs Predator: Requiem)

It takes a lot for a movie to make me angry…Skyline made me FURIOUS!

The residents of Los Angeles wake up to see blue lights falling from the sky. Wonder turns to horror as they watch alien spaceships sucking up humans like a giant vacuum cleaner. After that your guess is as good as mine as to what was happening. It was part “survive the attack” and part “let’s fight back.” But ended somewhere around “what the heck was that??!!”

I like sci-fi films as much as the next guy, but Skyline was flat out awful. The Strause brothers completely ruined another film (i.e. Aliens vs Predator: Requiem). Seriously, Hollywood needs to fire these guys.

The story starts out fairly, almost exactly like Cloverfield – young attractive people enjoying a party on the eve of destruction. Then during the night the aliens attack and it looks just like everything I have already seen (Independence Day, War of the Worlds, etc). Despite two pretty big missteps, I’m still hoping for an entertaining movie. But then we get to see the aliens and it looks like something a freshman would create in their first year of film school. And I’m pretty sure I owe freshman in film schools everywhere a huge apology.

The cast is pretty decent, but the directors made them look ridiculous through the entire film. From slow motion screams to some of the cheesiest lines, I actually started to feel sorry for them.

Then there is the ending. I’m not exaggerating one bit when I say this was one of the most bizarre and disappointing endings I have ever seen. It begins with our last standing couple being sucked up into the spaceship. This was intended to be a highly charged emotional moment, instead it was one of the cheesiest “I won’t leave you” scenes ever. But wait, it gets better, as the two are being sucked up into the air, swirling around in the vortex leading to certain death…they share a kiss. Yes mid air, in the middle of a tornado…they kiss. Come on!!

Decent cast, lame special effects, and two directors that did everything possible to ruin this movie…it’s a Coaster.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Only if you want to punish them. O.K. seriously, the party at the beginning of the movie has everything you would expect: sex, drugs and rock n roll. Once you pass that opening scene it’s all violence and language.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?
A: There is a reoccurring scene where people are drawn towards the light of the aliens seemingly unable to control themselves. Even as their friends yell out warnings of the doom that awaits them if they continue on their path, the victims cannot stop. It is as if they lost all self-control.

Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: Well although we don’t need to worry about aliens attacking, we do need to be aware of vulnerable areas in our lives. When it comes to our self-control, what areas do we need to protect? Read Ephesians 6:10-18

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: Again most of us don’t need to worry about being lured into certain death by an evil alien, but we do face severe danger. So once we have identified those “weak” areas in our lives, we need to pray and ask God for the Holy Spirit’s help. We should also surround ourselves with people who will encourage us to follow Christ’s leading on the path of righteousness and to stay far away from that path that will lead to “certain death”.