The Fourth Kind: Movie Review

In the early seventies a scale of measurement was established for all “alien encounters” – a UFO sighting is an encounter of the first kind, tangible evidence collected is of the second kind, contact with extraterrestrials is of the third kind, and lastly, abduction, is of The Fourth Kind. Based on actual case studies, The Fourth Kind is a thriller that features the mysterious disappearances of a fraction of the Nome, Alaskan population.

Check out the review below…

The Players:

• Cast: Milla Jovovich, Elias Koteas, Will Patton
• Writer/Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi
• Story by: Olatunde Osunsanmi & Terry Lee Robbins
• Produced by: Paul Brooks, Joe Carnahan, Terry Lee Robbins
• Executive Producers: Scott Niemeyer, Norm Waitt, Ioana Miller
• Co-Executive Producers: David Pupkewitz, Jon Bjarni Gudmundsson, Vinca Liane Jarrett

Synopsis:

Set in October of 2000, The Fourth Kind features the video-taped sessions between psychologist, Dr. Abigail Tyler (Milla Jovovich) and a number of traumatized patients who all share strikingly similar accounts of alien visitations. The story exposes some of the most disturbing evidence of “alien abduction” ever documented, as never-before-seen footage is integrated into the film.

The Good:

• Scare-factor: Generally alien-related films loom towards the not-so-scary end of the terror spectrum. Why? Because they’re the least believable. In the 21st century, people want evidence. Apparently, they’ve found some! The interviews with Dr. Tyler, her case-study recordings, and the police footage present a hell of a support system for this inexplicable series of events.
• Structure: This abundance of supposed concrete evidence is perfectly interwoven with the story-line – it’s a jarringly believable film. The Fourth Kind almost transcends the horror-genre because the movie evokes far more than the standard jolts of terror and audience squeals – every time we try to ease our conscience with the “it’s just a movie!” fall-back, the filmmakers validate their plot with actual footage – creepy!
• Nightmares: This rattling cinematic experience will not only plague your thoughts with terrifying images, but will haunt your sub-conscience with questions of reality. Both historically and scientifically speaking, the movie is massively thought provoking, AKA, the filmmakers did their jobs.

The Bad:

• Reality: One might argue that the “reality” factor was borderline emphatic. Milla Jovovich begins and ends the film by “ensuring” the audience that these are, indeed, the facts. But shouldn’t the archival footage be both credible and compelling enough? Lovely speeches, Milla, but are they necessary ones?
• Skepticism: Obviously this movie will inspire plenty of controversy: Universal CLAIMS the footage is real, but is it? Who is paying who to make sure that the entire nation is sold on this story?

Overall:

The conspiracy theorists and superstitious “believers” can walk the streets with their heads held high – the audience was not only convinced, but scared shitless. Translation: you get your money’s worth!!

Rating: 8.5/10

Check out The Fourth Kind in theaters November 6th!

Photo Gallery:

Trailer: