The Fourth Kind review

"The Fourth Kind" is probably the best made for Fox TV movie since the 90's. Oh wait they stopped making those didn't they. Well then I guess it'll have to settle for the best Sy-fy channel movie to date instead. And no that's not really that good of a thing. "The Fourth Kind" is a great example of having all the elements needed for a scary and interesting mystery thriller involving alien abduction, but doesn't use most of them the right way and some of them used too much. Also it's an example of marketing a film in the mystery genre and how people decide what to see based on knowing whats going to happen. This went up against Richard Kelly's "The Box", which hasn't faired well box office wise. Many say it's because the trailer seemed to point to one simple aspect, which is how these movies get promoted nowadays. It turns out people don't really want surprises in films anymore, just more or less whatever they expect and know going into it. "The Fourth Kind" marketed is a great example of showing it's best and only tricks before the show so that people don't have to be worried about wondering what might happen next. What terrible thing that would be.

Like "Paranormal Activity", the film shows 'real' footage and claim the movie is based on true events (it's not by the way). So it's inter cut throughout with pieces of the 'real' footage and scenes from the reenactment which stars Milla Jovovich as the lead Dr. Abigal Tyler. This is her first non-gun toting flick after a long string of them... most were quite sucky, but she's fun to watch so she often gets a pass. Jovovich isn't really a bad actress either (see "Dummy" for proof) and here she almost is able to pull off the character, but some of the emoting doesn't feel quite right. The same can be said with the person playing the real Abigal Tyler (which according to the films credits IS Abigal Tyler). Her frail size and pale skin tone makes her quite believable as do many of the stock footage scenes. However at times her slow speech and uneven emotions get old and a bit boring and so does the movie.

The real problem is that it's made with a lot of style that it destroys most possibilities of it being scary and just feels like a really rushed episode of "24" with aliens. They place in interesting clues and notions that would include extraterrestrial abductions and things of that nature early on for the build up, but mess it all up by getting the wrong vibe and atmosphere and in a movie like this those things are absolutely critical. I cite "The Mothman Prophecies". I still like it despite it's flaws and slow points, but that's because it has a build, makes small connections that lead to bigger ones and it's tone is always foreboding. There's not one scene of bizarre actions or stories being told in that film that doesn't have a moodiness to it. All this said "The Fourth Kind" has two great scenes. And I mean great as in they would've been perfection had they not used them on the trailer.

Both scenes of bliss are of the 'real' footage and involve the channeling of an entity from within the human body. The sad part is that both scenes are displayed on the trailer and had I not expected it I imagine that those scenes would've been really jaw dropping. The blurred image is great, but what is being said is much better and creepier. In fact you say that within "The Fourth Kind" is a better movie trying to break free that adds up and feels complete and scary. One that picks one of the two types of film that it is to go with instead of sitting on the fence. I'm not saying it's as bad as something like "White Noise" (which suffered several of the same problems and more), but it's a sure fire disappointment to people who like UFO or abduction stories (like myself).

Finally I just have to stress that this could've been something. It's a picture chalked full of potential scares, mystery and intrigue that wastes 90% of it on extended shots of peoples reactions to something that's maybe, but usually isn't impressive. I think writer-director Olataunde Osunsanmi (who also stars in the film as himself in interviews with Dr. Tyler) may have the right idea story wise (I stress the word may), but definitely does not have the right idea directorial wise. Next time someone attempts to make a movie on this particular subject they show very much look into what makes these stories and mysteries interesting and frightening before letting cameras roll.

"The Fourth Kind" ** out of ****

The Box review

Since 2001 writer-director Richard Kelly has been a on-off topic in the film world. His debut film "Donnie Darko" has become a major cult classic of the 2000's. I've never quite understood why people love it so much, but there's something there they like. His follow up "Southland Tales" was a major two and half hour failure that hit a few theaters and then landed onto DVD with little notice. So this brings me to "The Box", his first studio film (his others were independent) and this is for me at least his best looking and functioning film. Based on the short story "Button, Button" by acclaimed writer Richard Matheson (author of "I Am Legend"), it tells the story of Norma and Arthur Lewis (Cameron Diaz and James Marsden) as a happy family with their son, but who are coming upon some hard times financially. Enter Oscar nominated actor Frank Langella ("Frost/Nixon") as Arlington Steward, a mysterious man with a massive facial disfigurement who wants to help the couple out.

The trailer gets that piece of the massive puzzle right, but that's about all it does properly. I really hate how mysteries get promoted these days... actually I generally hate the rap they get these days too. I suppose that's why do few actually get made. After the decision to press the button has ended yes several crazy things happen. However not in some lame-brained kinetic action climate as displayed on ads, but as steady unraveling of clues to the big picture. The trailer also has a lie in it, but I won't tell you what it is. "The Box" generally feels like a period movie in it's movements and tones which for this genre is something helpful. The film is set in 1976 and it flows like a mystery of that time, but with Kelly's love of David Lynch and Alan J. Pakula working within it. Also the film is beautifully shot in digital and works almost as well as "Zodiac" did look wise.

Another fantastic element is the perfect score done by the band The Arcade Fire (who's having a great year with this and having their song massively used to promote "Where the Wild Things Are"), that has the touch of Bernard Herrmann all over it. Performance wise Marsden and Langella were terrific as usual, but Diaz wasn't particularly bad herself. Sometimes the southern accent did flow in and out, but when it mattered she really got the job done. Kelly adapted the short story and made sure to use it as more of a bench mark for the rest of the story which spans into various bizarre and somewhat unknown reaches. This is NOT a conventional thriller about a couple being stalked. Just as "Knowing" was not a simple case of trying to stop the future disasters.

I connect both films because of a common thread. That thread is that both can easily be disliked or discarded because they're unconventional, somewhat challenging and utilize old school science fiction (not SCI-FI, there is a difference) . "Knowing" become a rough topic for me because I met virtually no one who liked it. I didn't argue about it, but I did notice that it was mainly people who just didn't seem to get/like the whole "Twilight Zone"-y vibe it had and also those who just didn't get the whole science fiction part. "The Box" is somewhat like that... but less "Twilight Zone" and more Kelly's own brand of old school science fiction and paranoid thriller elements; which are pretty damn cool to me.

The film manages to also answer... in it's own way the major questions while not hand delivering it to your door; something I've noticed more and more that people really like. There's no easy one word answer that sums it all up because there's so much in it. You can't try to fully understand Arlington Stewerd's actions without understanding why is here for example. I keep harping on this and I guess it'll be my final thought and summing up for this review; people don't really... dig into mystery stuff anymore and that sucks. If it can't pop out right in the trailer or seem totally bizarre then no one gives a shit and they look past it. Further more open mindedness when it comes to movies is also in a large degree spiraling into the shittier. The concept of a film that doesn't fly by the straight lines of it's genre isn't new and why people act as if it's a revelation is beyond me. I'm not asking people to like films like this, but simply to not dismiss them. As for "The Box" it's a terrific ride that's definitely worth seeing if you're not opposed to something out of the norm. And I'm glad I finally found a Richard Kelly film that I honest to God fully enjoyed.

"The Box" **** out of ****