(1) This is well before the X-Files, and it feels like it. Yes, it's cheaply-made, doesn't have the snarky quips, and there are many technical flaws (dubbing, continuity, etc), but you can't deny this plays out like Mulder and Cigarette-Smoking Man. In this regard, I was able to forgive much in order to receive what was offered. Was it good? You know what? The aliens on X-Files weren't always great-looking either. And the action was good, the logic followed, and it was tense. The alien abduction, the operations, the lost time, and other elements all added up to a good experience. Not the best of the lot, but the effort and good intentions of the film-makers was on display every moment.
(2) Technology. This has James-Bond level spy equipment, including a watch that records and sophisticated bugging. There is no hesitation that the governments of the world are all in on it, and that they have whatever they need to keep us in the dark, while knowing our every move. Just like today. However, it's also 1978, so we also get old-school typewriters. I love this kind of juxtaposition.
(3) Emotional impact. SPOILERS AHEAD: (a) Gunning down our heroes hits hard. It wasn't even nihilistic, just fatalistic, that we must lose this information war. (b) Female infiltrator getting smacked around but good was strange to see, but made total sense in the scheme of it. There was a visceral disgust and thrill at the same time. (c) Police-state actions, from the "silencers" to the inspector, whether in big chunks or small nibbles, always leaves an impression, and this film made it clear from start to finish that it wants the truth to be outed, and the police state to be at least interrupted.
So why 8/10 and why not 5/10? This movie was not arrogant in its aspirations or delivery. It did not pretend to be big-budget, and it did not settle for less than it wanted to be. The acting was actually very good, and the dialogue not ludicrous at all. I give rating based on whether a movie does what it sets out to do, and except for being grainy and dark, with cheap special effects, this movie does it. I will watch this again.
(2) Technology. This has James-Bond level spy equipment, including a watch that records and sophisticated bugging. There is no hesitation that the governments of the world are all in on it, and that they have whatever they need to keep us in the dark, while knowing our every move. Just like today. However, it's also 1978, so we also get old-school typewriters. I love this kind of juxtaposition.
(3) Emotional impact. SPOILERS AHEAD: (a) Gunning down our heroes hits hard. It wasn't even nihilistic, just fatalistic, that we must lose this information war. (b) Female infiltrator getting smacked around but good was strange to see, but made total sense in the scheme of it. There was a visceral disgust and thrill at the same time. (c) Police-state actions, from the "silencers" to the inspector, whether in big chunks or small nibbles, always leaves an impression, and this film made it clear from start to finish that it wants the truth to be outed, and the police state to be at least interrupted.
So why 8/10 and why not 5/10? This movie was not arrogant in its aspirations or delivery. It did not pretend to be big-budget, and it did not settle for less than it wanted to be. The acting was actually very good, and the dialogue not ludicrous at all. I give rating based on whether a movie does what it sets out to do, and except for being grainy and dark, with cheap special effects, this movie does it. I will watch this again.