U.F.O. (2012)

Synopsis

So close. The middle third of this unruly mess almost redeemed that inane, wanna-be-music-video beginning. A group of unlikable friends party the night away in their hometown in England. Michael (Sean Brosnan) meets potentially the love of his life, Carrie (Bianca Bree). Robin (Simon Phillips) and Dana (Maya Grant) get engaged. Fifth wheel Vincent (Jazz Lintott) takes every possible opportunity to say and do things that make you hate him.

They have more problems than just hangovers the next morning. Power’s out. No cell phone signal. Radio’s dead. Hmmmm … must have something to do with that alien spaceship hovering down the block.

Skip It

Well, at times writer/director Dominic Burns seems like he might elevate this movie up from abysmal to just mediocre. As the group dithers about what to do – hide at home, go for supplies, get outta town – there’s genuine escalating tension. You see people coming unglued, and crowds turn from apprehensive to ugly. You can even give a little credit for avoiding some of the most egregious cliches; there are no slithering alien snake monsters.

But lordy, the final third just completely blows (pun intended) any chance of redemption. The group makes a run for good old Uncle George’s place. George (Jean-Claude Van Damme) is a former Black Ops military dude who should know how to handle some aliens. But the plot begins to get twistier than a barrel full of alien snakes, and there’s really no way of knowing exactly what happens at the end. Except that you’ll be glad it’s over and embarrassed you stuck it out.