Alien 51 (2004)

Things have come to a pretty pass when there are direct-to-video s-f action movies that would be happy to remind audiences of 1980s tat like the Watchers series or the XTRO sequels. This has a blonde government scientist (Phoebe Falconer), in a midriff-baring blouse and shorts, teaming up with a cloddish, square-jawed Sheriff (Sean Galuszka) to track a killer creature escaped from Area 51 which is some sort of experimented-upon alien 'biological killing machine' and wanders about the Nevada desert picking off the usual supporting victims. Things are slightly complicated by a bizarre sub-plot involving freak-collecting Dr Psychobilly (Chase Hoyt) who wants the creature to be his main tent-show attraction and has a sidekick played by the top-billed Heidi Fleiss (the Hollywood madame, looking as much a survivor of experimental surgery as the monster). Also notable is the animal activist who tries to sabotage attempts to track the monster and is predictably mauled for her trouble. It has an old-fashioned man-in-a-bad suit monster, and its baby (hotly contested over by the characters) is a stiff doll. Mostly just bad. Co-directed by Paul Wynne and Brennon Jones.

First published in this form here.

Visit Kim's Official Website at www.johnnyalucard.com