ENGLISH - PG13 - 05 November 2009 - Science Fiction/Thriller/Horror
Distributor: Universal PicturesRunning Time: 100 mins.
Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi
Producers: Paul Brooks, Joe Carnahan
Writers: Olatunde Osunsanmi
Casts: Milla Jovovich, Elias Koteas, Will Patton, Corey Johnson, Hakeem Kae-Kazim
Plot: The 4th Kind" is a fact-based thriller involving an ongoing unsolved mystery in Alaska, where one town has seen an extraordinary number of unexplainable disappearances during the past 40 years and there are accusations of a federal cover up.
The Verdict:
Green Tea Bern says:
The Fourth Kind is an interesting sci-fi flick that intergrates various elementary approaches that we have seen before. The movie is neither been excellent nor been awful. The movie holds a perfect balance of both sides and it is definitely a decent movie to watch while you may get yourself some surprises.
The Fourth Kind is purported to be a documentary reenactment that sets in Nome, Alaska and it deals with alien abduction. Taking into the movie are elements from District 9 (multiple types of camera used), 24 (split screens technique), Cloverfield (handheld camera, but less dizzy) and Paranormal Activity (supernatural).
The story line is built upon a common subject matter about extra-terrestrial invasion but has been then modified to tackle a more specific theme - abduction. The plot is nevertheless clear, distinctive and strong to endulge to keep you glued to the seat. Of course, living it up to its expectation as a horror thriller, is the ample amount of horror scenes that occassionally makes you jump out of the seat.
However, there are some moments of confusion. While watching this flick, it challenges us to redefine whether this is a purely alien movie or been a supernatural flick. The trouble is further reinforce by the fact that it fails to visualize any alien or any form of abduction in a clear picture.
For the first scene, when Milla Jovovich walked out to tell you that she is playing Dr Abigail Tyler, it feels awkward as I do not think it is necessary. Also, the constant name credit to differentiate who as who while everyone already know who as who may sometimes proved to be annoying. There is also no need to split the screen to compare between the actual recording and the dramatization version as this will create confusion.
Milla Jovovich's choice to portray the supposedly real Dr Abigail Tyler is perfect. The cast performances are greatly appreciated. Although the description and character building is put on minimal, the focus on emotional play accompanied to form a great performance.I have to agree that the conceptual usage in this movie is exciting, bold but effective. However, playing too much unnecessary styles may dampen and will eventually been pointless. In the end of the day, pointless or not, the story telling and horror suspense are what matter for this movie. Thankfully, both exists in The Fourth Kind.
THE RATING...
STORY - 3.0 stars
CASTS - 3.5 stars
CINEMATOGRAPHY - 3.5 stars
EFFECTS - 4.0 stars
Overall - 3.5 stars
Green-Tea-O-Meter: 13.5