Graham Baker’s “Alien Nation†is the perfect late night movie. It’s got it all: a tough son of a gun in James Caan, sexy aliens, and enough blood and guns to throw a copy of “Ninja Assassin†at. When you’d just like to shut your brain off and not be bogged down with story, this is a great action flick to fall asleep to.
It doesn’t get much cooler than watching aliens drink bleach and bug the hell out.
However, at the same time, the film raises several questions about affirmative action, immigration and society in general, making it deeper than it originally appears.
Because of this, as far as entries on Netflix’s Instant Queue go, it has to be one of the best available.
Starring Caan as Det. Sgt. Matthew Sykes, the film has a tough guy allure, but a simultaneous Sci-Fi mystique. Ahead of its time in terms of its concepts and ideas, it’s way too easy to confuse this as a cop flick, but those who look a bit further will appreciate what the film is trying to say about society.
Set in a future earth [1991, the film was made in ’88] where aliens have come to live on the planet after theirs died, there’s a huge divide amongst the humans. After the death of his partner at the hands of aliens, Caan is forced to work with an alien, Det. Sam Francisco, [played by ]who he later nicknames “George.†More than a competent duo, the two eventually gel as a pair, but not after several weird moments.
Because of this, there are instances where the hilarity outrank the intellect and action, making it again, come across as a hybrid film, rather than one with a purpose:
Det. Sgt. Matthew Sykes: Tell me the joke.
Det. Samuel ‘George’ Francisco: Stop me if you have heard it before. Why did the chicken cross the road?
Det. Sgt. Matthew Sykes: [coughs uncontrollably] I’ve heard it.
Det. Samuel ‘George’ Francisco: It’s a good joke.
Is this Caan at his best here? No way, but he’s savvy enough here to keep you interested throughout. Racist in the beginning of the film, Caan eventually comes to grips with the concept of the aliens sharing the planet with humans, but not after several laugh-out-loud scenes that show a poise and candor Caan seems completely comfortable with.
Cassandra: Tell me the truth. Have you ever… made it with one of us?
Det. Sgt. Matthew Sykes: No… unless I got drunk and somebody didn’t tell me.
Cassandra: Mmm. A virgin! I find that very arousing. You sure you haven’t?
Det. Sgt. Matthew Sykes: Um… there’s lots of things I haven’t done; that’s not real high on my list. No… you know… don’t take it personally. I’m a bigot.
Scenes like this alone make the film and an enjoyable one and one that like an onion, has layers that once peeled, reveal something completely different than what you expected when you clicked on it.
Those not looking for something so unique will find a cheesy action flick that has stood the test of time much better than others, making it well worth a late-night viewing.
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