ALIEN AUTOPSY

"They're going to find out"

In 1995 during a trip to Florida to purchase original Elvis memorabilia, Ray Santilli (Donnelly) meets Harvey (Dean Stanton) who offers him a film that he has had since 1947. When Ray sees it however, it isn't the King but actual military footage of the alien autopsy at Roswell. Harvey wants $30,000 for it and the only way Ray can get that kind of money is to borrow it from local UFO obsessed gangster Voros (Otto). After purchasing the film and returning to London, Ray and his friend Gary Shoefield (McPartlin) discover that the film has degraded so much that it is unwatchable. Fearing that Voros will kill him, Ray comes up with an idea that might just save his life, make a fake alien autopsy film.

Making a movie that reveals that one of the most talked about films in recent history was a hoax is an intriguing premise but when you think about who should play the ringleaders of this conspiracy you would never have thought of TV hosts Ant and Dec.

In 1995 the Alien Autopsy film captivated the entire world's imagination and offered some proof that something crash-landed in the New Mexico desert in 1947. After ten years however the people who brought the film to the world's attention admitted that the film was a fake, which they in fact made. Ray Santilli, Gary Shoefield and a group of friends made the film so that Ray wouldn't meet a grizzly end at the hands of a London mobster but the footage they shot was so good and so convincing that they say the opportunity to make some money. They always said however that it was based on the actual film that Ray saw when he purchased it from cameraman, who shot the original 1947 film.

The hoax premise has all the elements needed for a British comedy and the good news is that it delivers them. People might question the casting of Declan Donnelly and Ant McPartlin in the lead roles of the film but what you have to remember is that the famous British TV presenters started their careers as actors. The big question is however, have their skills improved since playing PJ and Duncan on 'Biker Grove' and the answer is yes and no. Dec plays Ray, the face of the group behind the hoax and the one who becomes a media celebrity, appearing on chat shows around the world. He is slightly big headed, overly confident and loving every minute of his newfound fame, so this is the role best suited for Declan Donnelly. He really has fun with the role and quickly finds his thespian skills all over again. The same cannot be said for Ant however. As the cautious Gary Shoefield, the brains of the group and the one trying to keep the hoax intact, he struggles to give a natural performance. In parts he seems like he is actually reading lines, struggling when the role asks for a more dramatic approach.

The rest of the cast are very good however. Omid Djalili is excellent as kebab shop owner turned director Melik. British comedienne Morwenna Banks is funny as Melik's wife Jasmine. American actors Bill Pullman and Harry Dean Stanton are also good as documentary filmmaker Morgan Banner, the man interviewing Ray and Gary and Harvey, the man who shot the original 1947 footage.

'Alien Autopsy' is a good British comedy on the world's fascination with all things extra terrestrial. Based on true events and throwing in some new 'evidence', the premise behind it draws you in from the off and the characters make it all the more watchable. Even though Ant might not be able to step up to the acting mark, this doesn't make the film any less fun. This one is certainly not a hoax.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented well.

BONUS FEATURES

Feature Commentary
Director Jonny Campbell provides a decent single person commentary for 'Alien Autopsy'. The man at the helm talks about getting involved with the film and his thoughts on the story. He also chats about the look of the movie, filming in the UK, Ealing studios and in Hollywood. The cast and working with Ant and Dec is the biggest topic and he reveals how professional and fun the duo are. This is a good listen but it would better it Ant and Dec would have been involved.

Deleted Scenes (23.44 mins)
Twelve deleted, extended or alternative scenes that show more of Ray and Gary getting the plan together, there trip to Hollywood, Ray's interviews and what happened with all the money. These scenes are accompanied by commentary from director Jonny Campbell.

Outtakes (2.30 mins)
Watch Ant and Dec have fun on the sent of 'Alien Autopsy' Alien Game Shoot Alien's on your TV screen with this DVD interactive game. Unfortunately this is a game where speed is needed but the DVD game can't really cope with it, making it difficult to play.

Alternative Opening (0.48 mins)
Watch a longer version of the opening sequence with Bill Pullman playing Morgan Banner.

The Making of Ant & Dec's Alien Autopsy (30.57 mins)
Stars Declan Donnelly and Ant McPartlin are joined by director Jonny Campbell, producer Barnaby Thompson, writer Will Davis, alien maker John Humphreys and stars Bill Pullman, Harry Dean Stanton, Götz Otto, John Carter, Omid Djalili, Andrew Greenough and Madeleine Moffat to take you behind the scenes of 'Alien Autopsy'. The comedy duo tells you about the story behind the film, introducing you to the real Ray Santilli and Gary Shoefield and the history of the hoax. They also take you behind the scenes of the filming of the movie in London and Hollywood and then take you to the premieres in London, Newcastle and Dublin.

OVERALL

The DVD package for 'Alien Autopsy' is good but could have been a lot better. The featurette is funny and the alternative and deleted scenes are interesting to watch but it would have been improved if Ant and Dec had involved in the commentary. Fans should be pleased however.

DVD

The X-Files

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2006