Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: KIDS VS. ALIENS [Fantastic Fest 2022 - Austin,Texas]
The context of foul-mouthed kids on an adventure depends on slicing of the cake in terms of how the characters interrelate. The angle of the midnight film “Kids Vs. Aliens” revolves around a young kid/filmmaker Gary (Dominic Mariche) and his friends who make their own movies. The action angle of their narratives integrate with wrestling and stars with a healthy amount of enthusiasm of Gary's now turning teenager, sword-wielding sister Samantha (Phoebe Rex). However she suddenly has eyes for the bad boy in school. Said boy tricks her into having a rager party at her house when her and Gary's parents leave for the weekend. Like “The Goonies” or (to a point) “The Lost Boys”, “Kids Vs. Aliens” goes on the pretense that the younger kids, because of a sense of altruism or (god forbid) conscience can outsmart their older constituents or perhaps an alien invasion. The set up has possibility but, unlike “Good Boy”, some of the potty-mouth humor doesn't quite land as it should. J
Jason Eisener who gained cult status for “Hobo With A Shotgun” takes on another genre inspired by his youth and perhaps his siblings. The connection of Sam and Gary is obviously the cornerstone of the movie and the crux on which the resolution needs to turn. The aliens per se are just there for gore inducing mayhem without much reasoning through the motley melting nature of their shenanigans is interestingly schizoid. Eisener does not hold back but he also doesn't cut any of the characters any slack. The movie was of course made on a shoestring budget and has some bearing to early Rob Zombie films but without the necessary music contingent. The movie isn't overtly bad but it is more strung together than most. Certain alien attack and torture scenes are pretty gruesome but all done with a wink until the final battle which of course leaves the door open (as most 80s throwbacks do) for a sequel. The rambunctious nature of the plot does follow a formula but also realizes that with modern audiences (especially with a horror angle), the plot needs to lull you a tad before it hits you over the head for its own good. C+
By Tim Wassberg
