Being a big fan of alien invasion movies, when the movie Occupation popped up on my radar for release on home video, so I took the opportunity to review it. Most of the big budget films of the genre have a lot of production quality and special CGI effects, but this film I was happy to see that Lionsgate is the distributor. Most of their movies meet the criteria of good directing, filming and choice of actors.
The film starts with the introduction of the main characters as they go about their lives. Matt Simmons (Dan Ewing), a local construction worker and retired rugby great, his sister Vanessa (Rhiannon Fish) and his fiancée Amelia Chambers (Stephanie Jacobsen) who works at the local diner. Matt’s co-worker Jackson (Charles Terrier) is on the current rugby team as their star player and has a special connection to Vanessa. RV travelers Peter Bartlett (Temuera Morrison) and his wife Jenny (Erin Connor) and two children Bella (Izzy Stevens) and Samuel (Rhylan Jay Bush) are passing through town on their way to Sydney. The have all come together within the large crowd in the local stadium outside Sydney Australia to see a rugby match against the towns rival a neighboring village team.
Shortly after the Rugby match begins the lights go out, not only on the field, but in the whole town and neighboring areas. Strange lights start to hover over the area and the people scatter as the Alien ships open fire. On the ground Aliens start to round up people from the stadium and nearby towns. The panic starts to spread all over as families try to get to safety. They have arrived to seize the planet for their own use and are herding humans to areas to hold them captive.
The main characters escape the stadium except for the wife and son of the Bartlett’s. They are in the RV and headed for safety in the nearby mountains. So begins a battle of wits, brawn and any weapons the rag tag group can get. Director and writer Luke Sparke movies his film along at a fast pace opening up a number of battles, challenges and planned attacks as the group of survivors start to grow with each encounter with the Aliens. He ups the intensity with more Alien landings and the addition of special weapons they use to stun the people.
The whole cast does a good job of keeping the film moving while adding a lot of action and excitement. Working out differences between each other Matt and Jackson lead the group as they try to defend themselves and both Ewing and Terrier show a lot a fight. In the role of the staunch Peter, Temuera Morrison shows his tenacity to keep the group vigil of the danger and at the same time pushes to try and get his family back that are among the captives. Of the ladies in the movie Jacobsen and Fish fill the bill nicely as Amelia and Vanessa.
Occupation is actually very good and even if you did see films like Red Dawn, District 9, War of the Worlds, Independence Day or the recent Arrival it’s as exciting and action packed. Considering the budgets of those mentioned, Occupation puts a lot more heart and production value for their money.
The movie has been rated R by the MPAA language and sci-fi violence. The violence gets extreme at times with the aliens taking down anyone in their path. The DVD, Blu-ray and Digital HD arrive on September 25.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A nicely produced Sci-fi adventure. (3 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Starring: Dan Ewing, Temuera Morrison, Stephanie Jacobsen, Ben Chisholm, Izzy Stevens, Charles Terrier
Directed and written by: Luke Sparke
Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-fi
Running Time: 1hr. 59 min.
MPAA Rating: R language, sci-fi violence
Original Theatrical Release: July 20, 2018
Video Release Date: September 25, 2018
Language: English
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Video: 1080p Widescreen Aspect Ratio 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 disc, Digital code
Distributed by: Lionsgate/Saban Films
Released in: Blu-ray/DVD/ Digital HD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
