How can one make a boring film about aliens from outer space that beam down to earth to eat brains? Skyline is about as boring and bland as its title: here we have not so much a film as a technical exercise. The film was made for a reported $10 million and looks decent for what it is – even while it limits our view. When there isn’t a special effect, in scenes taking place in hallways or at roof top parties, the lighting is awkward, as if shot on a cell phone. Perhaps it was, but it shows all of the energy of the film was made in post-production, a deadly formula even for an alien action picture.
After the obligatory party scenes in a high-rise LA apartment that establish the archetypical characters (the cast includes, although I do not recall much of any defining traits in the portrays of characters played by: Eric Balfour, Scottie Thompson, Brittany Daniel, and Chystal Reed). Some will survive, other won’t and truthfully such little time is spent on character development, aside from a pregnant women, we don’t care.
Firmly established by the time the aliens touch down are that this territory was tread by the old drive-in B-pictures. B is not my letter grade for this film, which lacks the wit of a film within the film Psycho Beach Party. This is precisely the problem: the film takes itself too seriously in an attempting to start a franchise. The objective of technical proficiency outweighs the reason why we audience members pay money to see this type of film: fun. It’s only fitting one character is a special effects pro, like the film’s directors The Brothers Strause. This is a selfish demo reel for two guys who have proven they are technically gifted, but as narrative filmmakers they have much to learn.
There is no reason to care about Skyline aside from a few scary, slimy images, this is a third-rate War of the Worlds. I learn this was a project that was independently made by the aforementioned Colin and Greg Strause who previously directed AVP: Alien Vs. Predator – Requiem (unseen by me, but generally poorly reviewed). I know why this film was made – it appeals to the logic of a studio executive: if these guys can make this for $10 million, image what they’d do with $50 million. I hear Skyline 2 is in the works – hopefully they won’t cut corners when it comes to hiring a screenwriter.