"Alien Nation" is one of those films that raises bigger questions, but goes the typical Hollywood route instead of going in interesting directions. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the movie, but there is so much more here to be explored that doesn't get the proper screen time. The film follows a cop who typicallly has his partner killed at the beginning of the movie and is replaced by a "Newcomer". These "Newcomers" are from outer space and have assimilated (somewhat) into the United States. There are good newcomers and criminal newcomers, but the cop looks at them all the same, including his new partner. This rough and tough cop must learn to coexist with his new partner and the new members of earth in order to do his job right and solve a case involving the newcomer underworld.Obviously a parallel to racism in our present day, "Alien Nation" uses bald headed humanoids that eat disgusting food as a metaphor for the problems we have with people of other cultures and races. The movie sets this up well, but goes the buddy cop action route instead. For everything that this film should be and isn't, I did enjoy a lot of elements. James Caan is always great for one. Also, the look of the picture is excellent. It has "The Terminator" feel; a gritty dark futuristic urban environment. You will not see slick space ships and squeaky clean mega cities. I also enjoy the relationship between Caan and his newcomer counterpart, but this is explored much better in the TV series. I would recommend this movie as a late night watch, but also as a precursor to the much superior television show and the TV movies to go along with the series. The TV show explores many issues better, and although it only lasted a season, we are given more time to show character development and interesting plot ideas.
*2 and 1/2 Lance Approvals*
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