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Review: Impostor
Before I get started, it should be pointed out that managing expectations is very important when going to see a movie. If you go into this movie expecting a "Blade Runner" or an "Alien" you probably won't be so happy. If you go into this expecting a "Screamers" or "Pitch Black" however, then you'll probably enjoy the hell out of it.
"Imposter" stars Gary Sinise as an Oppenheimer-like weapons researcher named Spencer Olham. He's working on creating a superweapon to unleash upon an alien menace originating from Alpha Centauri. Frankly, watching the movie, we're getting our asses kicked, with human society devolving into a fascist state huddled under energy domes for protection.
The aliens, however, really aren't the focus of the film, which is neither good nor bad, as they aren't really central to the plot. Sinise's character Olham is picked up by the government as he is suspected of being an alien replicant instead of the real Olham, with the additional feature of a bomb in his chest designed to go off when he meets with the Chancellor of Earth. After being picked up and taken to an ominous interrogation center to be killed, he manages to escape to the dead zone between city-domes, a dystopic scene of poverty and the overlooked. Within the zone, Spencer convinces the streetwise Cale to sneak him back into the city to meet up with his wife, Maya.
I don't want to go much further into the actual plot of the film, as it doesn't really matter that much. It's fairly predictable but enjoyable. The IMDB entry for "Impostor" notes that this was originally one part of a three-part movie that was expanded to fill the full length of this film. There does seem to be a bit of padding going on, like the exploration of Cale's motivation for helping Olham sneak back into the city where Olham's wife Maya (played by Madeline Stowe) works. In the end you don't mind because the padding is well done and entertaining.
The effects are enjoyable in a "look it's a cool city with ships flying around all over it" way and the cast is much stronger than you'd expect in this kind of movie, but not too much. I did feel that Vincent D'Onofrio was probably not very well cast in his role as Major Hathaway. Mr. D'Onofrio is the kind of actor that when he has the right role really shines (his work on Law and Order, for instance). But still, even ill-placed, he's enjoyable to watch.
To wrap up, "Impostor" is a decent flick worth your $5.75 matinee price while elongating your lunch hour and definitely worth taking the time to watch on cable, although the effects would not be as enjoyable.
Not to be pedantic here...but aren't most films enjoyable, as long as you don't expect much from it?
The Curse, and Python notwithstanding, obviously.
This was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Every review except this one seems to agree with me (unfortunately, I didn't read them before going to see it.) I don't expect every sci-fi movie I see to have mind-blowing computer effects, but this movie reeks of the mid-80s. Perhaps it would have been better recieved by the critics if it had been released now. As it is, it looks rather dated and I found the plot being pushed to the back in favor of explosions and hollywood flash. In short, if you HAVE to see this movie, take some funny friends, so at least you can be entertained by their MST3K like comments. Otherwise, go see LOTR again.
There are some amazing run on setences in that review. It's been a while since I've seen the English language mangled so badly.
Frankly, watching the movie, we're getting our asses kicked, with human society devolving into a fascistic state huddled under energy domes for protection.
While watching the movie chrisd got his ass kicked with a society that is fascist and hudled under domes. Exactly how do you assault someone with a society?
The aliens, however, really aren't the focus of the film, which is neither good nor bad, as they aren't really central to the plot.
That sentence, by lack of a strategically placed period, is telling us that the movie is neither good nor bad. I doubt that is what the reviewer had in mind. Since I've been told that the movie is so-so, why should I continue to read the review?
Sinise's character Olham is picked up by the government as he is suspected of being an alien replicant instead of the real Olham with the additional feature of a bomb in his chest designed to go off when he meets with the Chancellor of Earth.
If the real Olham has the additonal feature of a bomb in his chest what is the purpose of the replicant? Why is his chest designed to go off when he meets the chancellor? Is the chancellor going to be hurt by flying pectoral muscles? Maybe this is how you assault someone with a society?
Punctuation would solve so many problems with that atrocity of a thought chrisd wrote.
The effects are enjoyable in a "look it's a cool city with ships flying around all over it" way and the cast is much stronger than you'd expect in this kind of movie, but not too much.
The improperly used "and" ties two disparate thoughts together in new and interesting ways. If you're talking about the effects, talk about the effects. If you're talking about the cast, talk about the cast. Periods and capital letters were invented for a purpose.
To wrap up, "Impostor" is a decent flick worth your $5.75 matinee price while elongating your lunch hour and definitely worth taking the time to watch on cable, although the effects would not be as enjoyable.
So, the movie is decent and worth our $5.75, but only if we watch it during lunch and then alsotake time to watch it on cable. If I just watch it in the theater will it not be worth the $5.75? Taking the time to also watch it on cable will lessen the effects, though. Is this a "if the tree falls in the woods" type of philosophical discussion? If I actually watch the movie on cable the effects will be lessened. Ergo, if I never watch it on cable the effects will be mind-blowing.
While watching the movie chrisd got his ass kicked with a society that is fascist and hudled under domes. Exactly how do you assault someone with a society? See Horton Hears a Who or Men in Black for details.
Why shouldn't we expect what we pay for to be high-calibre?