Falling Skies-An early reivew

[Jason Weiser]

Got a sneak preview at the AFI in Downtown Silver Spring, it was one of those apply for a pass in the paper things.. and I won one for the wife and I.

Good: There was plenty, the Aliens had a lot of mystery to them, and their motives. They're six legged fellows called skitters, and they've knocked us back to about the 1950s-60s tech wise, not to mention wacked most of the major cities and capitols. And they want our kids. They've got biped Mecha, and yet? Why bipeds when they have six legs, good question, eh? Dale Dye's influence is here, and that's good. There was a Q and A after with Moon Bloodgood, who plays the unit doctor (They're calling themselves the 2nd Massachusetts). They've set up plenty of plot points and fun for the future, and it had not just a alien invasion feel, but a PA feel. (It had a real T2Kesque feel to it IMHO). I even got free swag, some nice hats! Between me and the wife, we scored six of em (they had more than they could give away!), and our hero's a history prof, who did a damn good small unit brief at one point (I detect Dale Dye's influence there).

Bad: I saw some weapon handling goofs, and I thought Noah Wylie's military history professor would at least know the concept of "fire discipline". There was a parsimony of heavier stuff, but ammo seemed to be more plentiful than I would expect. The aliens tactics seem to be a bit of the "what can the humans REALLY do to us" school, I expect that will change though, like the Soviets in Afghanistan, but counting on an alien race to play by human military precepts such as having a cost effectiveness ratio for when an occupation just isn't worth it? I kinda think that's a shaky idea to hang one's hat on.

All in all, a good start, and watch worthy...they're doing the official premiere June 19th at 9PM. Pics of the swag later.