Math geek Tom Pearson (Carter Jenkins) is caught trying to hack into his school’s website so he can change his failing grades before his parents can discover them. But it’s too late; mom’s already on the computer and watching as each of Tom’s failing grades is changed to a passing one. Busted by his father, Tom tries to use the incident to get out of going with his family to their vacation house. But dad doesn’t let him off the hook; Tom’s still going up with the family to the massive home, which they’ve rented. Along for the fun are Uncle Nate (Andy Ricther) and his kids, as well as Nana (Doris Roberts). The reason the brainy Tom is failing his classes is because he’s doing it on purpose; he’s tired of being treated like a geek--apparently, he wants to be treated like a dullard just like everybody else.
Main Review Page | SF Reviews |Buy Aliens in the Attic on DVD Here!
But Tom’s intellectual resourcefulness is called upon when he, his siblings, and cousins must all band together to fight a group of diminutive aliens who have taken over the attic of the large home. These knee-high, troll-like aliens are the advance scouts in an invasion force that’s planning to take over the world--starting with the adults in the house. Using darts implanted in the back of the neck, they possess the body of Ricky (Robert Hoffman), the annoying boyfriend of Tom’s older sister Bethany (Ashley Tisdale). But since these darts don’t work on children, it’s all up to Tom and the junior brigade to save the world. Aliens In The Attic was actually much better than I expected it to be--it’s basically a fun children’s film that shouldn’t be too painful for adults to sit though.
Of course, just try not to think too hard about the logic of the plot--God knows, the movie certainly doesn’t. It’s so fixated on the escalating war between the kids and the aliens within the house that it can’t be bothered with little details, like how come the adults don’t notice a massive battle taking place in the back yard of the house. Or the fact that the sheriff berates Uncle Nate for only having one license plate, when the state of Michigan (which is where this film takes place) only requires one, anyway. Still, the film is pretty funny--without relying on any bathroom humor--and kids should love it, especially the references to video games (such as the riotous battle between the electronically-possessed Nana and Ricky, who both perform kung-fu style fight moves on each other worthy of a Matrix film). Aliens In The Attic is just what it is: a fun family flick.
--SF
