[5.00/10] Skyline (2010)

Skyline (2010)

"Skyline" takes place in a Los Angeles high-rise where a small group of survivors brave a mysterious attack of otherworldly origins. Donald Faison is playing an entrepreneur who lures his longtime friend to the West Coast. After a night of partying, both wake to find a strange force is swallowing humanity off the face of the earth. Strause brothers' sci-fi thriller is a perfect example of style over substance, as the film desperately tries to compensate for its cliche-ridden, uninspired plot, by offering a first-rate, flawlessly-executed special effects. And while it succeeds visually, its 'alien invasion' scenario is tired and painfully familiar. "Skyline" could be described as "Independence Day" meets "District 9" meets "War of the Worlds", as it shamelessly borrows ideas from all these films and some other better and worse sci-fi flick. As a result it feelss like a mish-mash of stolen ideas, dull script and superficial, hardly likable characters. Even worse, "Skyline" is joyous, almost humorless and it takes itself way too seriously. Having said that, "Skyline" truly delivers in terms of visuals. The special effects team behind "Skyline" and the upcoming "Battle: Los Angeles" has done an amazing job, as the CGIs in this film are nothing short of mindblowing. The aliens and their spaceships look impressively realistic, incredibly detailed, and crafted to perfection. The action scenes are quite intense, well-shot and very exciting, yet unfortunately, those are very few and far between. The last ten minutes of this film are a true visual feast, and yet the ending itself is ridiculous and completely unsatisfying. Sadly, "Skyline" is quite weak in the acting department. French actor Eric Balfour, who's more famous for his nude scenes, than for his acting talent, gives an utterly soulless and unconvincing performance as Jarrod. Scottie Thompson is a notch better in her role as Elaine, yet she often overacts. The supporting performances from Brittany Daniel, Crystal Reed, Donald Faison and Neil Hopkins never extend beyond an amateurish level, with the exception of David Zayas as Oliver, who truly stands among the rest. Flashy special effects aside, "Skyline" is a pretty lifeless, lackluster effort, that has the feel of a high-budget made-for-TV movie.