Ok...this was...bad. Bad acting, stupid story, awful ending. Good effects, but anyone can do effects these days...just throw some money at it.
Spare yourself the agony of this one...
You can just imagine the chaos that is occurring during Skyline's alien invasion/giant monster attack. Unfortunately, imagining is all you can do because our point of view is from inside a penthouse with the blinds drawn. Much of the time we are shown too much in current movies. Leaving things to the imagination is perfectly acceptable, but not when the selling point is very good special effects. What little of the invasion we do see is very ominous. So why do we have to spend 90% of the run time in an apartment building with paper thin characters? I guess it has to be the director's attempt to make us like the cast enough to care that the world is toast. But the acting is so bad and so generic that I was pulling for the aliens to wipe them out. It was seriously annoying watching this movie knowing that the world is being conquered by an impressive alien force and I have to spend all of my time stuck in a room with stupid cliched twenty-somethings.
I would rate this movie even worse but I can't get over the crazy dark ending. It's just not right to spoil it here, though. It's so jaw-droppingly out of left field that it almost made the movie worth watching.
(This was a review I wrote back in 2012 on another site. This was during a time when having movie rentals mailed to you was huge.)
In all honesty after about 5 to 10 minutes into this film I just stopped the movie and sent it back in the mail. The entire story line fails, and the cast were all forgettable. The only good quality about this film is the special effects. I only wasted at most 10 minutes on this film; don't make the same mistake I made and instead just act like this film doesn't exist and go watch a different film. You have been warn.
Hmpf. Well. What to say about it. Not very good. Kudos for not going for the typical hollywood happy ending.
Small spoiler here about that: Not a real happy ending at all.
It just takes so long to start, feels a lot like a wannebee Cloverfield movie, but just not getting there.
I'd say about this movie: dont bother.
how can this movie be rated with 48% if it's so great?!
It amazes me how people have such shitty taste in movies. Which I have no doubt they are saying the same thing about me. But this movie was great. Not sure why the bad reviews. It had a great plot, very good graphics and costumes, right up there with blockbuster quality special effects. It had love, and an ending that a sequel could be made.
I forgot this movie existed, I feel as if that's a good thing
One of the worst movies I've ever seen.
I really don't understand the universal hatred for this flic. Sure it's no godfather, but it is what it is. The drawn out scenes of the group of suvarlists in an apartment are classic survival horror etchings. Conflict umongs the group intact.
This was a lot more engaging than the other alien urban attack movie Battle La. Matter of taste I suspect.
Hey, fellow lone wolves and ice warriors! Kiba Snowpaw here, your guide from the chilly realms of HowlStrom. Today, I'm diving into a movie that’s as bewildering as a blizzard in midsummer - "Skyline" from 2010. Buckle up, ‘cause this is gonna be a bumpy ride, and I’m not holding back any claws on this one.
Basic Plot Summary
So, "Skyline" is supposed to be a sci-fi thriller. It’s about these strange lights that appear over Los Angeles, and, surprise, they're from alien ships. These lights start sucking people up like a vacuum cleaner on overdrive. Our main characters, a group of friends, try to survive this extraterrestrial mess. Sounds exciting? Well, hold that thought.
Analysis/Evaluation
Honestly, it’s like watching someone try to ice-skate for the first time – it's awkward, clumsy, and you can't help but wince. The plot is thinner than the ice on a HowlStrom spring morning. It’s full of clichés and tropes that are as predictable as a snowstorm in winter.
Characters
Our main pack, err, I mean, group of characters, are as flat as a frozen lake. There’s Jarrod and Elaine, the couple with issues, and their friends. But here’s the thing – you don’t end up caring much about them. It’s like they’re just there to fill up space, like snow in a blizzard, with no real depth or warmth.
Structure
The movie tries to build suspense, but it's like a snowball that never really rolls down the hill. It starts off with a bit of mystery, but then it gets lost in its own storm. The pacing is all over the place, like a pack of pups playing in the snow for the first time.
Impact
"Skyline" had the potential to be a cool sci-fi flick, but it ends up leaving you cold. It’s like it wanted to be a howling success but ended up being more of a whimper. The impact it leaves is like footprints in the snow – there, but quickly fading away.
Hook and Thesis
The idea of alien invasion in LA with mesmerizing lights had some potential. It could’ve been a thrilling ride, but instead, it’s like finding a patch of yellow snow – disappointing and slightly upsetting.
Praise and Critique
Alright, the special effects aren't too bad – they’re like the shiny bits of ice you find on a sunny day. But pretty visuals can’t save a sinking ship, or in this case, a crashing spaceship. The dialogue is cheesy, the logic is as confusing as a blizzard, and the ending? Let’s just say it’s like slipping on ice and landing on your tail.
Evaluation
If you're looking for a sci-fi movie that's all flash and no substance, then maybe, just maybe, you'll find "Skyline" bearable. But for anyone wanting a solid story or characters you actually care about, you’d be better off watching snow melt.
Comparison
Think "Independence Day," but if it were left out in the sun too long and melted into a puddle. "Skyline" tries to be epic but ends up being a mere shadow of better alien invasion films.
Conclusion
In the end, "Skyline" is a missed opportunity. It’s like finding a beautiful icicle, only to watch it shatter into a million pieces. So, if you’re in the mood for a sci-fi flick, maybe look elsewhere. There are plenty of fish in the sea, or in my case, plenty of snowflakes in the blizzard.
That's it from me, Kiba Snowpaw. Stay frosty, my friends, and remember – not all that glitters in the night sky is worth your howl. :wolf::milky_way::snowflake:
Skyline is a thrilling sci-fi adventure. When aliens attack LA a group of friends get trapped in an apartment building and try to find a way to escape before they’re discovered. Starring Eric Balfour, Scottie Thompson, and David Zayas, the cast is pretty good and deliver solid performances. And the specially effects and alien designs are quite impressive; leading to some very intense and exciting chases and fight scenes. However, the aliens are a little overpowered; taking some of the suspense out of the final fights (as the winner is a foregone conclusion). And there are a couple of pacing issues; particularly with the ending, which goes on for too long. Yet while it has some problems, Skyline is an entertaining alien invasion film.
awful movie, don’t waste your time.
Some people get attacked by aliens, but they are not interesting people.
Their lives don't matter if the movie is about an alien attack, but we spend so much time listening to them talk.
Sometimes we see something interesting of the alien attack, but there are no people to care about whether they survive. It just made me fast forward to the end.
At the end the alien is protective of someone who has been fighting the whole movie to survive the attack. It made the whole point of the violent destruction creating attack seem pointless and stupid.
There are no happy endings and it seems like they were trying to set it up for a sequel.
Very enjoyable sci-fi schlock!
If you’re looking for highbrow existentialist entertainment with compelling characters and measurable plot, look somewhere else! You won’t find that here.
Shiny effects laden trash. I know the directors were FX guys but still there's nothing here. It's impressive visually and so watch it without the sound and while doing something else so when you look up something cool is on the screen and you can imagine what it is and why and that's a better time than watching this plot. It's unfortunate because the cast that I do recognize are better than even this.
They spent all their money on special effects. The rest was just running around a high rise pretending there were monsters around every corner. I give this film a 5 (meh) out of 10. [SciFi Apocalypse]
Watch Independence Day. This is a poor imitation with a bad plot and bad acting throughout.
Spending lots on CGI doth not a good movie maketh.
GREAT MOVIE
LOVED THE STORY, WELL EXECUTED AND WELL PACED.
KEPT THINGS INTERESTING AND MOVING ALONG.
HEY IT AIN'T NO
INDEPENDENCE DAY
BUT IT HAD THING'S IN HERE THAT
I'VE NEVER SEEN IN SO
MANY OF THIS GENRE OF MOVIE. LIKE THE BLUE LIGHT THAT SUCKS YOU UP AND SEMI CONVERTS YOU WITH BEING A FEW SECONDS IN IT'S GAZE.
NO SHIELDS BUT ABLE TO REGENERATE, EVEN THE LITTLE ONE'S, WITH A NEW BRAIN OF COURSE. IT JUST HAD IT'S OWN GROOVE, TOP NOTCH SPECIAL EFFECTS, REALLY ENJOYED THEM. AND A REALLY COOL TOOK ME BY SURPRISE ENDING. LOOK IT BROUGHT SOMETHING NEW TO THE TABLE AND FOR THAT MAKES IT A GREAT MOVIE.
seen it about 4,5 time's now and everytime I enjoy and appreciate it more.
Checking out number 2
Tonight. Very interested to see
what number 3 adds
to it all that's in the making now.
Slow start but gets better. Good effects makes an enjoyable watch.
When I watched this movie first I didn't like it too much. But, with time this movie really growed on me. If you see It as a low budget, low expectation movie, you may have a good experience wathing it.
Your typical "stumbled" movie that starts pretty bad and then gets pretty good right in the ending.
I wish they had made a sequel just coz that ending was a totally badass plot for a great sci-fi book story!
The whole movie could be splendidly translated as a prologue chapter of a creepy interesting sci-fi novel.
The movie was a total disaster, and I spent 100 minutes of my life watching it. Oh god, I hate myself.
A completely unconventional ending. The acting was not top notch but ok for a Sat afternoon.
Aaarggg this movie aint SO bad. I liked it, crazy, awesome and kept ke on the edge of my seat. Just dont take it too seriously and you'll have a great time.
I actually didn't mind it as a mystery/thriller right up until the ending which was just terrible... heaven forbid they make a squeal.
it's not easy to rate this movie. obviously it's not a good movie. the main actors are not so bad, but the rest of the cast is just unintersting.
so, whats good about this movie? if you ask me: it's the ending. the whole script is at one point dumb, then again not logic.
but the ending is so over the top, that i just liked it.
my rating: 5/10
update: I watched the second part and boy, this was bad. I was so hopeful that they take the ending and make it great, but there are so many questionale story decisions. Boy, the first movie gets better with this.
new rating: 6/10
Clearly a bad movie ... Have a drink before watching this one
Not conclusive end, no story at all. Great special effects and interesting idea of alien invasion.
One of the worst films I've seen this year and a total waste of 2 hours.
What a terrible story and acting was just as bad. If it wasn't for the special effects it would get a 0/10
people hate the movie because it´s bad in every way... poor acting horrible script.
Wow, IMDB still rates this at 4.5. Clearly overrated with 4.5... For me: worst flick ever!
No. I am from The Netherlands, Dutch is my main language. What is so idiotic about this?
I don't get it, why do French people always talk in French when clearly the rest of the people on the website they are on speak English? I think its pointless and i find it kinda irritating.....
Can't you guys just speak English like the rest of the internet instead of just speaking to that very small percentage of people that can actually read French?
J'ai déjà vu des téléfilms diffusés sur TF6 ou Action bien meilleur que cette chose. Reste les FX, réussis, mais ça ne sauve rien...
I of course did not go by stats. That said.. come on. They can fool us once with your amazing marketing, but I don't think anyone will fall for this one again. So glad I waited for this to watch at home..
So far this movie made 65 million dollars while the budget was only 10 million. I think even the most horrific pathetic excuse of a movie would get a sequel if it made 6 times its budget. The movie business is after all a business in witch they want to make money....
Seriously.. a sequel.. I.. I..
/shock
Indeed terrible movie, only good thing is that the actors die. I hope that the script writer.... well lets stay civilized.
Cant believe they are working on a sequel. Luckily its set for 2012 and by then the world has ended. Thank god for that.
I disagree. This movie is awful, but the kind of awful that only comes along once a decade. Watch this movie and marvel at its awfulness.
The plot is horrible.
The acting is horrible.
Many of the effects are horrible.
The logic is beyond horrible.
It's a true gem of shite!
do not waste your time.
Shout by DeletedBlockedParent2011-07-27T23:05:09Z
Yes, it hurts to be shown just how powerless you can be. Maybe that's why people hate this movie. No heroes, no typical happy endings, just a what if scenario (what if harvesting aliens came?) and an attempt (successful by my standards) to show what would be a typical outcome.
I fairly enjoyed this.