MusicChat
It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.
Frances Chung
Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
Paynbob
It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
Jake Rowley
First question: Why is it a 15? There is one non explicit sex scene and most of the violence is just Billy blowing up stuff. It really ought to be a PG. Other than that though there really isn't that much wrong with this movie.The film is about a boy called Billy who finds a laser blaster in the desert. Whenever he picks it up his skin turns green and he starts blowing up cars and petrol stations with it. He then goes on a destructive rampage until (SPOILERS) an alien comes down from Space and kills him with a ray gun.The effects for the explosions are quite good, although I wish I could say the same for the aliens, although they are hardly in it so it didn't bother me too much. There is also a moment where Billy pointlessly shoots a billboard with "Star Wars" written on it. In addition to this many of the characters' personalities are quite flat, but all in all the film is watchable.
Anders Twetman
This movie is seriously confusing, scenes that don't seem to belong together follow each other without transition or explanation. Who are these people? Why are they here? What i going on? No one knows. On top of that, the special effects are laughable, the characters are ill defined and the acting is bad.But, looking beyond all these criticisms, and they are valid, believe me, there is actually a rather watchable movie. We have the story of Billy who is turned into a monster that wanders the streets shooting things with a laser gun. Kind of like a sci-fi version of a werewolf story where the protagonist does not know he is the monster. Not to mention that the aliens that one would naturally assume to be evil, seem to be some kind of police officers chasing down the monster, a fun take on things I say. And of course, the whole thing is really rather campy which is appropriate. An added bonus on my copy were the trailers for several campy looking old movies.
geminiredblue
Man, what a bad movie! There I said, I'd say it again if I had to. Why oh why did Leonard Maltin give it 2 1/2 stars out of 4? Generosity? The plot is nonexistent and the dialogue seems to fluctuate between unfunny humor and stilted exposition. In many scenes, we get actors standing in an awkward line while they talk. Acting by most of the cast is pretty wooden, especially the main actor who plays Billy. Too bad Roddy McDowall only gets two short scenes as a doctor. They even spelled his name wrong. Tsk, tsk, it violates ape law! Keenan Wynn, though good, is wasted as the crazy grandpa. And who in the world was that "tan man with jacket?" Some sort of man in black? Well, Will Smith he's not. Definitely not Tommy Lee Jones! Did anyone honestly believe that Eddie Deezen was convincing as a bully? The only thing this movie has going for it are the nifty stop-motion alien effects. The aforementioned laser gun looks good, though improbably large for a human arm in my opinion. Did anyone else think the green make-up made Billy look like Jim Carrey from THE MASK? I did like the ending however, since in my opinion there wasn't anything likable about Billy in the first place. However, even the ending was screwed up. I feel that the last scene went on a few minutes too long before the credits started rolling. Let me guess... padding it out to make the film feature-length? MST3K tackled this one and came up with one of their best episodes. So please, gentle viewer, hunt down this movie only if Mike and the Bots are riffing on it!
SmakethDown638
I am one of those few who liked this movie. I was always reluctant to get this on DVD, but during a Full Moon Valentine's Day Sale, I bought it. A solid little cult sci-fi film with some decent special effects. I liked the development of Billy and how he slowly is possessed and driven completely mad. My only gripe with the movie has to do with the storytelling. How did the original alien in the beginning get on earth and why? Also, what was the deal with that alien being wanted from the other space aliens? That is never explained, however, it's easy to not think about it.Too many people take movies seriously these days. Time for people to lighten up and realize that movies don't have to be perfect in order to be fun. Glad Billy blows up a billboard with "Star Wars" on it! Take that Star Wars nerds!
