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Alien Nation takes the interesting premise of extraterrestrials living among us and doesn't do enough with it, emphasizing a police procedural plotline over the more intriguing sci-fi elements.
All Critics (28) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (13) | DVD (8)
Instead of exploring the differences and strangeness of the aliens, and giving them the kind of interesting particularity that "Blade Runner" did, Alien Nation can't domesticate and demystify its aliens quickly enough. May 11, 2018 | Full Review…
Instead of exploring the differences and strangeness of the aliens, and giving them the kind of interesting particularity that "Blade Runner" did, Alien Nation can't domesticate and demystify its aliens quickly enough.
Jay Carr
There are the requisite chase seens, the ingenious murder weapons, the evil propogators of greed andhate. And somehow they don't bury you. In the end, it's the wit and heart of Alien Nation that win you over. Dec 8, 2017 | Full Review…
There are the requisite chase seens, the ingenious murder weapons, the evil propogators of greed andhate. And somehow they don't bury you. In the end, it's the wit and heart of Alien Nation that win you over.
Cathy Burke
With the sci-fi and horror aspects toned down, Alien Nation becomes little more than a cop show with a twist-and one that will satisfy only the most gullible of action fans. Feb 18, 2014 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…
With the sci-fi and horror aspects toned down, Alien Nation becomes little more than a cop show with a twist-and one that will satisfy only the most gullible of action fans.
Steve Newton
Uma idéia potencialmente instigante que acaba sendo desperdiçada por um roteiro tomado pelos clichês. Dec 31, 2008 | Rating: 2/5
Uma idéia potencialmente instigante que acaba sendo desperdiçada por um roteiro tomado pelos clichês.
Pablo Villaça
Fascinating and somewhat timely themed sci-fi flick, a minor classic. Aug 10, 2006 | Rating: 5/5
Fascinating and somewhat timely themed sci-fi flick, a minor classic.
Steve Crum
Smart sci-fi premise should have made a better movie Nov 28, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Smart sci-fi premise should have made a better movie
Daniel Eagan
Caan is good, but this is just a very standard buddy cop movie disguised as a sci-fi thriller. Plays better on TV, though. Oct 10, 2005 | Rating: 2/5
Caan is good, but this is just a very standard buddy cop movie disguised as a sci-fi thriller. Plays better on TV, though.
Chuck O'Leary
Patinkin in one of his best, most memorable performances Apr 25, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Patinkin in one of his best, most memorable performances
Clint Morris
Fun gimmick cop movie with aliens Apr 8, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Fun gimmick cop movie with aliens
Luke Y. Thompson
It begins focusing on the cross-cultural and human dimensions of the tale but it turns into just another police flick replete with crashing cars and endless shootouts. Aug 27, 2004 | Rating: 1/5
It begins focusing on the cross-cultural and human dimensions of the tale but it turns into just another police flick replete with crashing cars and endless shootouts.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
A shallow dissertation on race relations made watchable by the sci-fi/Police thriller theme. Caan and Patankin have good chemistry, and there are some amusing culture clashes. Mar 21, 2003 | Rating: 3/5
A shallow dissertation on race relations made watchable by the sci-fi/Police thriller theme. Caan and Patankin have good chemistry, and there are some amusing culture clashes.
Brian Mckay
OK s-f that failed to capitalize on an interesting premise. Oct 7, 2002 | Rating: 2/5
OK s-f that failed to capitalize on an interesting premise.
Bob Bloom
Whereas the premise is intriguing and the cultural differences between the two main characters are amusing for a while, soon the movie decides that it should be more action than sci-fi, imploding in an awful last half-hour full of car chases, stupid twists and ugly TV clichés.
Super Reviewer
I enjoyed the hell out of this. Check out this premise: In the futuristic world of 1992, Aliens have landed and we've granted them citizenship in our society. When James Cann's partner is killed, he's teamed up with one of these Aliens to help solve the crime. That alien is played by Mandy Patinkin. From there it's a fairly standard buddy cop film, but with some really funny gags. Well worth checking it out.
A great film. A fantastic mixture of science fiction, suspense, comedy and action. A genre-bending classic that you cant help but love. A wonderfully entertaining winner that's just a great buddy-cop movie with lots to offer. A great new twist on a familiar background. A smart, funny and action-packed thrill-ride with solid performances and great special effects. James Caan and Mandy Patinkin are excellent together with their unique and effective chemistry. One of the coolest sci-fi tales of the 80's decade with Terminator and Aliens.
A race of alien beings known as newcomers crashland on Earth and become the newest immigrants in Los Angeles. When some of them are found executed a bigoted detective and his rookie newcomer sidekick investigate. Alien Nation is a buddy cop/sci-fi hybrid that contains a lot of the usual 80s action flick cliches; the burned out, alcoholic cop, gratuitous car chases and stranger in a strange land analogies are all very familiar. The sci-fi spin does give it all a little freshness however, and although the racial metaphor is a little clumsy, Caan and Patinkin's deadpan delivery show some decent chemistry together with some amusing odd couple comedy. Unfortunately the script is purely by the numbers including a couple of major plot elements that are just sci-fi mumbo jumbo. Terence Stamp also might as well have phoned in his performance as the villain leading up to a particularly weak conclusion which drags an otherwise entertaining film back down to mediocrity.
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