There are some interesting sequences, especially one where Tony’s toy soldier becomes life-size, but these bright spots are overpowered by a script that I can only describe as unpleasant.
For three years, young Tony (Simon Nash) has been having bad dreams about his father’s disappearance. Tony believes that his dad was taken into the sky by a beam of light. Tony’s mother, Rachel (Beatrice Steger,) thinks that he merely walked out on them. She’s moved on and has a new boyfriend, Joe (Danny Brainin,) who thinks Tony doesn’t like him very much.
After a strange spacecraft crashes into the English countryside, a creature emerges and wanders into the woods. It crosses a road and is struck by a car. When the car’s occupants get out to see what they’ve hit, the creature murders them. It then travels to a cottage where it attacks a woman and forces something down her throat, rendering her unconscious. When she awakens, she feels sick. Her abdomen swells and she gives birth to a fully grown man who looks exactly like Tony’s father, Sam (Philip Sayer.)
Sam makes his way back to the the city and tries to reintroduce himself back into Rachel and Tony’s life. Joe doesn’t trust him but Rachel thinks he’s just being jealous. When Tony finds Sam eating his pet snake’s newly-laid eggs, Sam confesses that he’s not the same as before. He was taken to another world and wants to take Tony back with him. He bites Tony on the neck and tells him that he can now make things happen with his mind. Strange things begin to happen in their apartment building as Tony flexes his new-found powers.
Xtro is a confounding movie. As I watched, I wondered who in the film was I supposed to care about? Tony is a child but he’s a brat and completely unappealing. Rachel is indecisive and wishy-washy about everything. Sam is an alien. Joe is an asshole. The family au-pair, Analise (Maryam d’Abo) is pretty but selfish. In all honesty, Mrs. Goodman, the snoopy downstairs neighbor who accidentally kills Tony’s pet snake, is more likable than any of the main cast of characters.
The movie’s premise is nifty and it starts out promisingly. There are some interesting sequences, especially one where Tony’s toy soldier becomes life-size, but these bright spots are overpowered by a script that I can only describe as unpleasant. The film’s practical special effects are rather inventive and well-done. It’s too bad that the final product is a such a downer.
Xtro has amassed a fairly sizable cult following because it’s so weird. I get that. It is really weird. I just don’t find it weird enough (or good enough) to recommend.
2.0 out of 5.0 stars
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