Extraterrestrial (2011 film) explained

Native Name:
Nolink:yes
Director:Nacho Vigalondo
Music:Jorge Magaz
Cinematography:Jon D. Domínguez
Editing:Jon D. Domínguez
Distributor:Vértigo Films
Country:Spain
Language:Spanish

Extraterrestrial (es|'''Extraterrestre'''|links=no) is a 2011 Spanish science-fiction romantic comedy[1] written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo and starring Michelle Jenner and Julián Villagrán alongside Carlos Areces and Raúl Cimas.

Plot

The plot is primarily set in an apartment in Madrid.[2] Julio wakes up one morning in an apartment, unable to remember what happened the night before. He barely has a chance to speak to the girl he spent the previous evening with, Julia, when it becomes clear there is an alien spacecraft hanging over the city.

Before long they discover that the next-door neighbor Ángel who has a crush on Julia and Julia's boyfriend Carlos are both alive.

Production

Extraterrestrial was produced by Sayaka Producciones alongside Apaches Entertainment and Antena 3 Films, and it had the backing of Gobierno de Cantabria, Antena 3 and Canal+.[3] Shooting locations included Lavapiés.[4]

Release

Extraterrestrial world premiered at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival in September 2011.[5] Its festival run also included screenings at the Fantastic Fest and the Sitges Film Festival,[6] Distributed by Vértigo Films, the film was released theatrically in Spain on 23 March 2012.[7]

Reception

Marjorie Baumgarten of The Austin Chronicle rated the film 2½ out of 5 stars, declaring it as "slight, filled with lots of bark but little bite".[8]

of Fotogramas rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting the "suspense at the service of the minuscule" as the best thing about the film.[9]

Chris Tilly of IGN rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, deeming it to be "a well-crafted romantic comedy that is chock-full of layers, managing to be both dark and light".[10]

Eduardo Galán of Cinemanía rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, praising the impeccable approach about "how two lovers put their fiction-camouflage before the future of the human race".[11]

Javier Ocaña of El País wrote that "although the idea, in principle, is great, the development, on the other hand, is disappointing.[12]

Scott Wampler of Collider gave the film an 'A-' rating, billing it as a "lightweight, charming little film".[13]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'Extraterrestrial': Hovering between sci-fi and romantic comedy. The Seattle Times. 31 March 2013.
  2. Web site: Extraterrestres de andar por casa (1). Ataraxia Vigalondo. Rinconete. 16 April 2012. Joan. Ripollès Iranzo. 1885-5008. Centro Virtual Cervantes.
  3. Web site: Gran éxito de Extraterrestre en el Festival de Toronto. Atresmedia Cine. 12 September 2011.
  4. Web site: La muralla que había en torno al cine español ya no existe. Revista de Verano. El País. 21 August 2010. Gregorio. Belinchón.
  5. Web site: Pasarela de estrellas en el Festival de Toronto. ¡Hola!. 12 September 2011.
  6. Web site: El Correo. Vigalondo divierte a Sitges con su 'Extraterrestre'. Grupo Vocento. 12 October 2011.
  7. Web site: Mikel. Zorrilla. Estrenos de la semana 23 de marzo El extraterrestre de Blancanieves. Espinof. 23 March 2012.
  8. Web site: The Austin Chronicle. Extraterrestrial. 13 July 2012. Marjorie. Baumgarten.
  9. Web site: Fotogramas. Extraterrestre. 17 May 2011. Jordi. Costa.
  10. Web site: IGN. Extraterrestrial Review. 26 September 2011. Chris. Tilly.
  11. Web site: Cinemanía. Eduardo. Galán. 20minutos.es. Extraterrestre. 3 September 2014.
  12. Web site: De croquetas y melocotones. Javier Ocaña. Javier. Ocaña. 23 March 2012.
  13. Web site: Collider. Fantastic Fest 2011: Extraterrestrial Review. Scott. Wampler. Scott Wampler.