Amazon.com Review

They get drunk on sour milk. They have two hearts and bald,spotted heads. They're highly intelligent, but if you drop them inseawater they'll melt into a puddle of goop. They're "Newcomers," andthey arrived as refugees in a massive alien slave-ship, quarantined forthree years and then reluctantly accepted as citizens of Earth. To somehumans--including seasoned Los Angeles cop Matt Sykes (James Caan)--theNewcomers are unwelcome "slags." Sykes's own virulent "speciesism"intensifies when Newcomer thugs kill his partner, but he sees logic inteaming up with Sam Francisco (Mandy Patinkin), the first Newcomerdetective in the LAPD. Francisco's Newcomer knowledge is vital to theirinvestigation of an alien drug ring, and a friendship grows fromlife-or-death circumstances.

A routine cop thriller with a comedic sci-fi twist, AlienNation> has two things working in its favor: Caan and Patinkin forma memorable duo, and the basic premise--as conceived by Rockne S.O'Bannon (who later developed the film as a TV series)--intelligentlyaccounts for the sociological impact of an alien population. The subtlepoint is made that humans are extraordinary beings who squander theirpotential, and the evil of drugs--as dealt by a social-climbingNewcomer played by Terence Stamp--leads to a crisis that threatens togenerate global intolerance. These points are well presented in acontext of overly familiar plotting and standard-issue sarcasm. It'sentertaining for a brisk 90 minutes, but in its attempt to be widelyappealing, Alien Nation glosses over issues that might have madeit more uniquely provocative. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Very watchable, funny, and provocative.
This is a very watchable movie that succeeds because of: a) bravo performances by James Caan (as always) and Mandy Patinkin; b) a solid storyline; and c) the fact that the movie does not try to take itself too seriously even as it makes some social and political points. In effect, this movie is racial politics wrapped in equal parts science fiction and a satirical cop thriller. The amazing thing is, it works--this movie is a brisk and enjoyable viewing experience. The storyline never drags and always entertains. The social commentary, while pervasive, never intrudes on the storyline.

The basic premise of the film is that a huge spaceship full of alien "Newcomers" lands in the California desert. They have high IQs, average over 6 1/2 feet in height, get drunk on sour milk, cannot eat cooked meat, and have a variety of other odd characteristics as well. Their goal, and the government's goal, is to assimilate the Newcomers into American society as quickly as possible. James Caan plays a police detective who is assigned the first Newcomer detective partner: Detective Sam Francisco (Patinkin)and they are investigating a murder involving the Newcomer community. The chemistry between Caan and Patinkin is excellent, and both turn in fine performances. Lots of interesting and downright hilarious things happen along the way, which makes this film downright entertaining even as it gives a certain amount of lighthearted social commentary about the challenges that the most recent people "off the boat" can expect to face when entering American society.

The movie succeeds in its most important goal: it entertains. This is good lighthearted entertainment with a frosting of social commentary that avoids being PC.

The movie works.

An routine cop-thriller with a unique premise.
In the future, Aliens that looked like Humans land on earth in Peace and they becoming a society mixed with the Humans. When a cop (James Caan) is teamed with his new partner, which is a Alien named Samuel 'George' Francisco (Mandy Patinkin). Together, they are teamed to ferrot out the Prepetrators of a Series of Mysterious Murders among the aliens.

Directed by Graham Baker (Omen:The Final Contact) made This familiar but fascinating Sci-Fi Thriller has it`s good moments. Terrific performances by Caan and Patinkin. This film didn`t do too well at the Box Office but it gained a Cult Following on Video. Followed by T.V. Series and Two made for T.V. Films, based on the T.V. Series. Super 35. Grade:B+.

Different take on race relations
Excellent movie, possibly overlooked by many people. The aliens have landed, and thank God they are not the Aliens from LV-426. They come to live here and try to get along. They are smart, they work themselves hard, they are an employer's dream. And, they are not always well liked by the earthlings. We just don't always seem to like these "beings". Outstanding movie about a xenophobic cop and his alien partner investigating a series of violent crimes in the alien areas. It's hard to compare this to a buddy-cop movie, or something like Brother From Another Planet. Either way, this movie is very well done, and is a great film for sci-fi or any other class of film.

A Very Clever Variant on a Routine Storyline
Alien nation is so novel and clever that its already over before you realize that it is the same basic buddy cop theme that's been done to death in Hollywood. The "murder to cover up a drug conspiracy in high places" plot is more than a bit familiar, but the writers came up with a fascinating science fiction premise that made the end product entirely worth while. Nothing in the performances apart from the special effects is earth shaking, but the screenwriter did a magnificent job in creating a film that holds the attention and engages the interest. This was a very worthy project and never seemed hackneyed, although there are a lot of similar films that do so almost effortlessly. I recommend it heartily.

a sci-fi film that`s a cut above the rest in it`s genre
James Caan wasn`t in peak performace here like he was in ROLLERBALL but still he managed to pull of a good performance as a hard nosed cop stuck in a futuristic socitey of unwanted aliens with human qualities. Another highlight is seeing this film in dvd instead the visual graphics and imagrey were much more stunning in this version. The storyline is nothing exceptional a cop goes after his parnter`s killer with the help of an alien cop who he`s forced to work with. Good film to watch but after seeing this film it`s nothing worth remembering. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Trashy fun
I expected Damien the anti-Christ to be further along in his diabolical plans before he would die. Damien is just an ambassador to the UK when he is killed. Instead of bringing the world to the brink of an apocalypse, he is out fox-hunting in the English countryside. With so little of importance at stake, the "final conflict" between Damien and Christ is rather feeble and anti-climactic, like getting a Pinto when you expected a Porsche.

This is especially disappointing because the second film was setting up a plot line in which Damien's company would have a strangle-hold on the world's food supply. I was hoping for global chaos in Omen III -- food riots, revolutions, etc. Omen III briefly reminds us of what Damien's company is trying to do but then drops that plot line completely. Hence the third film does not seem to be organically connected to its predecessor. Indeed, no characters from Omen II except Damien get screen time in Omen III. It's as if with Omen III someone else took over writing the screenplay and decided to take it in a different direction.

It also is odd that Damien was supposed to be such an assiduous student of biblical prophecies but overlooked the prophecy that appears on the screen at the end of the film. What, was Damien's bible missing a few pages of Revelations?

There are some well done scenes, but this film does not measure up to the first two films. Still, it is fun in its own trashy way.

Frankly? - More beliveable than the "Left Behind" movie
I saw "The Omen" on July 4, 1976, with my brother's fiance and her best friend. The movie scared - literally - the mortal hell out of me. So much that I, in pouring rain, emptied my VW of every conceivable upper, downer, laugher, screamer, etc. Now: Skip ahead 4 years: I've just gotten fired from a great, well paying modeling job, and I'm living with a Brooke lookalike. So what do we do? Yup. Go see "The Final Conflict." Sam Neill is indisputably the most frightening, insidious character in any movie I've ever seen (with the exception of that terrifying bald woman who played Satan in "The Passion"). And the scene where the priest tries to stab Damien with one of the "holy knives," and gets caught in a blazing inferno....this is one frightening film, folks. But you know what I like most about it? At the end, Jesus kicks Damien's @$$. Watch these flicks, especially the first and third (everybody says that the fourth installment ruined the integrity of the series). And I can't stop without a warning: PLEASE, folks, remember that somewhere in the world right now, whatever "Damien's" real name is, he's getting ready to start all this. We are living in the end times. You allright with The Lord?

Like A Trip To Hell
After 1978's "Damien: Omen II" gave insight to his plan to take over the family business, you'd think 1981's "Omen III: The Final Conflict" would have Damien Thorn wreaking havoc all across the world. Instead, he's not. He's hunting for foxes in the English countryside, leaving his dirty work to an evil rottweiller.

There are several reasons why this sequel doesn't work. First, the actors are terrible. Sam Neill, a versatile British character actor who can usually be counted on to create top - notch roles, is wooden as Damien. It was obvious this was not his starmakiing vehicle. He had to wait until Steven Spielberg cast him in "Jurassic Park" to become a familliar name. Veteran character actor Rosanno Brazzi fairs only slightly better as the leader of a group of monks out to kill Damien once and for all. Unknown British actress Lisa Harrow is trechorous as a news reporter who romances Damien until she finds out his true indentity.

Adding to this, Jerry Goldsmith's score is lackluster, the direction is awful, and there is not one scary moment in the entire film. A big mar on a classic film series.

Interesting, but Not as Good as Omen I and II
The Final Conflict continues to carry the theme from the first two movies although the 'power' of this movie seemed diminished from the first two installments. I would have thought Damien would have ascended to a higher station in the world (e.g., President, leader of the UN) in the 'final conflict' between the forces of good and evil. The absence of an Armageddon type of scenario also took away from the magnitude this movie could have possessed. I wonder if a limited budget affected how the sreen play was developed? The sex scene was unnecessary although it appeared that Damien's relationship with the woman was part of his undoing. If one is interested in seeing an Armageddon version of Omen III go and rent Omega Code II - Meggido. David York plays a reasonable anti-Christ role and the special effects are somewhat more modern.

Maltin Type Review
A slight tad worse than its two predeccesors, this film involves once devil child Damien Thorn (Sam Niel) thirty-two and ambassador to great Britain. However, unknown to his partner and hypnotized people, he is thwarting a revenge against Jesus. however, he must get rid of the priest's on his tail. This film is nicely entertaining, but SO WIERD! Many things are left hanging. Some (though not many) eerie moments and good acting help what could have been mess. New title: Omen III The Final Conflict. Next, and last, chapter: Omen IV The Awakening. Rated R ... Read more

Amazon.com

Beowulf translates the ancient epic poem of the same name into a postapocalyptic Road Warrior-style future, in which a military outpost is being invaded by a monstrous, blood-thirsty creature. Drawn hither by the evil emanations comes Beowulf (Christopher Lambert from Subway and the Highlander series), a powerful warrior with dark secrets of his own. There he meets the beautiful Kyra (Rhona Mitra), a woman warrior with a couple of cleavage-revealing outfits. Her father Hrothgar, meanwhile, is haunted by dreams of a blond, seminaked succubus with crimped hair, who has some mysterious connection to the murdering monster. Everyone, even father and daughter, has a different accent. It's all pretty trashy--the script is full of bravura lines like, "The only thing that keeps me from becoming evil is fighting evil"--but the cinematography and special effects are capable, there are lots of cool-looking swords and weaponry, and there's some pleasantly cheesy techno-metal music that plays intermittently for no good reason. Christopher Lambert, with white hair and a full-length leather duster, looks a little bored, but he's still his competent brooding action-hero self. If you enjoyed Mortal Kombat, this is right up your alley. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (3)

WEIRD, QUIRKY, AND COMPELLING...
In the quiet, little, rural town of Sutcliffe in Anywhere, USA, its citizens are suddenly freed from all constraints. They begin acting out their unspoken thoughts. They lose all self control. The town goes from being an idyllic, sleepy little pueblo to a hot bed of sex, murder, and raging testosterone. All its citizens seem to be acting on impulse.

Meg Tilly and Tim Matheson star as a young couple in love in this unsung film. Their world is turned upside down, when Meg's mother does something unspeakable. Suddenly, it is as if their entire world has gone awry. Look for Hume Cronyn who is wonderfully cast as the trusted, family doctor. See what he does when he gets sick and tired of his patient, Meg's mother. A very young Bill Paxton plays Meg Tilly's brother. Trust me, he has his own problems. See what happens to Tim Matheson, when he gives in to a sudden impulse. Will true love win out? Watch the film and find out for yourself. It is well worth viewing.

This movie is reminiscent of a very good Twilight Zone episode. At times I felt as if I were waiting for Rod Sterling to interject himself into the film with a narrative. It is a very interesting and quirky film. Some of the scenes are quite startling. Those who enjoy sci-fi, horror, and off beat films, will enjoy this one.

Excellent 80's style movie.
This was not a made for TV movie. I saw this at the theatre when it was released in 1984. What it is lacking in acting, it makes up for in substance. It presents a story of what could happen if we were to lose control of our Freudian "ID" or our impluse center. Everyone has experienced the rage response sometime in their lives. Having studied behavioral science for years this behavior has been duplicated in the laboratory. This is an excellent film for psychology students or anyone interested in human behavior. Since the government really does have a terrible problem with hazardous waste disposal, the implications of this film are very real.

A good Twilight Zone type horror film
I saw this on tv years ago. I believe it was made for tv. A pre-fame Bill Paxton has a small role as Tilly's older brother. It's a good entertaining movie. It's not gory. It's actually a rip-off of the George Romero film "The Crazies" from 1974. It's the exact same plot but Impulse is much, much better. I think there's also a Shatner version of Impulse from the 70's. Don't believe what L.Maltin says. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

WEIRD, QUIRKY, AND COMPELLING...
In the quiet, little, rural town of Sutcliffe in Anywhere, USA, its citizens are suddenly freed from all constraints. They begin acting out their unspoken thoughts. They lose all self control. The town goes from being an idyllic, sleepy little pueblo to a hot bed of sex, murder, and raging testosterone. All its citizens seem to be acting on impulse.

Meg Tilly and Tim Matheson star as a young couple in love in this unsung film. Their world is turned upside down, when Meg's mother does something unspeakable. Suddenly, it is as if their entire world has gone awry. Look for Hume Cronyn who is wonderfully cast as the trusted, family doctor. See what he does when he gets sick and tired of his patient, Meg's mother. A very young Bill Paxton plays Meg Tilly's brother. Trust me, he has his own problems. See what happens to Tim Matheson, when he gives in to a sudden impulse. Will true love win out? Watch the film and find out for yourself. It is well worth viewing.

This movie is reminiscent of a very good Twilight Zone episode. At times I felt as if I were waiting for Rod Sterling to interject himself into the film with a narrative. It is a very interesting and quirky film. Some of the scenes are quite startling. Those who enjoy sci-fi, horror, and off beat films, will enjoy this one.

Excellent 80's style movie.
This was not a made for TV movie. I saw this at the theatre when it was released in 1984. What it is lacking in acting, it makes up for in substance. It presents a story of what could happen if we were to lose control of our Freudian "ID" or our impluse center. Everyone has experienced the rage response sometime in their lives. Having studied behavioral science for years this behavior has been duplicated in the laboratory. This is an excellent film for psychology students or anyone interested in human behavior. Since the government really does have a terrible problem with hazardous waste disposal, the implications of this film are very real.

A good Twilight Zone type horror film
I saw this on tv years ago. I believe it was made for tv. A pre-fame Bill Paxton has a small role as Tilly's older brother. It's a good entertaining movie. It's not gory. It's actually a rip-off of the George Romero film "The Crazies" from 1974. It's the exact same plot but Impulse is much, much better. I think there's also a Shatner version of Impulse from the 70's. Don't believe what L.Maltin says. ... Read more