The third instalment of the Skyline series is not as bad or as great as some reviewers are saying. Some of the dialogue is pretty bad, but the acting is OK and the effects aren't terrible. You could watch a lot worse.
173 Reviews
Not the best of movies in this franchise...
paul_haakonsen19 December 2020
Well, the 2010 movie "Skyline" wasn't exactly the best of movies, though the 2017 sequel "Beyond Skyline" was a significant improvement on the 2010 movie, I must admit that I had mixed feelings about this 2020 movie "Skylines". Yet, of course I sat down to watch it, with it being a new movie that I hadn't already seen and all.
So how was "Skylines" from writer and director Liam O'Donnell and writer Matthew E. Chausse? Well, the movie was watchable that was for sure, but it was not an impressive movie. It felt like a mixture between the 2010 and 2017 movies, so it was a bland and mediocre result.
Visually then "Skylines" is phenomenal, and I must admit that I really liked the visual effects and CGI in the movie. But hey, such effects can only carry a movie so far. And when a movie is weighed down by a mundane and mediocre storyline, then it takes a lot for everything else to lift up the movie.
They had an adequate ensemble of actors and actresses on the cast list, with Lindsey Morgan in the lead role. The cast list also includes the likes of James Cosmo, Rhona Mitra and Yayan Ruhian. But for me it was definitely Daniel Bernhardt that carried the movie with his performance.
While I did sit through the entire movie and feeling sort of semi-adequately entertained, "Skylines" just didn't break any ground for action sci-fi movies, nor did it bring anything new to the genre. It was a watchable movie, certainly, but it was hardly an outstanding or memorable movie.
My rating of "Skylines" settles on a mediocre five out of ten stars.
So how was "Skylines" from writer and director Liam O'Donnell and writer Matthew E. Chausse? Well, the movie was watchable that was for sure, but it was not an impressive movie. It felt like a mixture between the 2010 and 2017 movies, so it was a bland and mediocre result.
Visually then "Skylines" is phenomenal, and I must admit that I really liked the visual effects and CGI in the movie. But hey, such effects can only carry a movie so far. And when a movie is weighed down by a mundane and mediocre storyline, then it takes a lot for everything else to lift up the movie.
They had an adequate ensemble of actors and actresses on the cast list, with Lindsey Morgan in the lead role. The cast list also includes the likes of James Cosmo, Rhona Mitra and Yayan Ruhian. But for me it was definitely Daniel Bernhardt that carried the movie with his performance.
While I did sit through the entire movie and feeling sort of semi-adequately entertained, "Skylines" just didn't break any ground for action sci-fi movies, nor did it bring anything new to the genre. It was a watchable movie, certainly, but it was hardly an outstanding or memorable movie.
My rating of "Skylines" settles on a mediocre five out of ten stars.
Worth a watch
manicmick25 February 2021
A long snore fest!
mattharding-9297518 December 2020
It is a good movie! Worth watching
adrianabadilla27 December 2020
I actually liked it despite the low ratings on IMDB. The special effects were good given the budget. The casting was well thought of for a B movie and it gave the movie credibility and some swagger. I hope they follow it up with a 4th installment. Will be waiting for it.
I like it
thiago-oliv24 December 2020
doubling down
SnoopyStyle24 December 2020
It's fifteen years after the alien invasion and five years after the invasion fleet was destroyed. Rose Corley feels guilty for her failures despite being ultimately victorious. The new military tracks her down and recruits her on a dire mission to the aliens' home planet. The human Pilots are reverting back to their destructive alien self and they need a thingamajig from alienaplace to fix the thingamabob.
I am utterly surprised that this franchise seems to be going full bore. The original is not the worst start to a franchise but it is undoubtedly a B-movie. Its bigger world construction has issues. For an one-off movie, a lot of that can be overlooked. As the sequel shows, the franchise intends on building on that construction. This is the third movie in the series and it seems to be doubling down with a healthy budget. Quite frankly, it may serve the franchise to pull back to do a smaller story. Going to another planet is not a smaller story. It's a hard thing to pull off and the third act is a mess. The movie is split into two locations and neither is that compelling. The trailer park could be a good small B-movie but this one insists on doubling up. All of that is to find a stupid looking egg. It makes the movie look stupid.
I am utterly surprised that this franchise seems to be going full bore. The original is not the worst start to a franchise but it is undoubtedly a B-movie. Its bigger world construction has issues. For an one-off movie, a lot of that can be overlooked. As the sequel shows, the franchise intends on building on that construction. This is the third movie in the series and it seems to be doubling down with a healthy budget. Quite frankly, it may serve the franchise to pull back to do a smaller story. Going to another planet is not a smaller story. It's a hard thing to pull off and the third act is a mess. The movie is split into two locations and neither is that compelling. The trailer park could be a good small B-movie but this one insists on doubling up. All of that is to find a stupid looking egg. It makes the movie look stupid.
Give it a watch
themadpredator19 December 2020
Yes there are moments where the CGI isn't the best or the acting, but underneath it all is actually a pretty good movie. I recently rewatched the first two movies in anticipation for this and I'd say this one is definitely better than the first one but a little weaker compared to the second one. It helps to have watched the other ones as well. Overall I enjoyed Lindsey Morgan's performance and there are some great visually looking scenes.
very very bad writing
Wassart22 December 2020
I give you a clue, if you already don't know this: if a movie relies alot on music over dialogues that means the dialogue is terrible and empty, they have to fill it with distracting sounds somehow. Aliens are wondering around earth and they are being led by a human woman, a woke intergalactical invasion...Female lead in movies are fine if there's a good character, story, writing to support it, there are great and convincing ones the Alien series for example, even the female lead of Alien Vs predator was great and convincing!
There's that cliché moment when there's a pause in the action and two characters starts talking about their past and families, this happens in so many movies. Why they have to talk about that in every movie? And all of a sudden someone storms into the scene saying: you have to see this! -- OHH MY GOD I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!
I think it all goes back to the writing of the role. The first Skyline was a cool indie movie, I really liked it. The second was meh...this one, watch it while cooking something is you want...
There's that cliché moment when there's a pause in the action and two characters starts talking about their past and families, this happens in so many movies. Why they have to talk about that in every movie? And all of a sudden someone storms into the scene saying: you have to see this! -- OHH MY GOD I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!
I think it all goes back to the writing of the role. The first Skyline was a cool indie movie, I really liked it. The second was meh...this one, watch it while cooking something is you want...
A good little action sci-fi for what it's worth.
flyntlock18 December 2020
For a low-budget, practically independent, finalized and edited during quarantine, this movie it is what it is: confident and with heart.
They have a decent cast and sfx that looks way above what the money could have supplied them with. The story is a little out of focus in some parts but it follows through just fine in the end for our hero (Lindsey Morgan). There are a few scenes of questionable CGI but for a movie that is mostly practical effects and alien suits, it's very obvious where the budget went to keep it from looking too cheap. Not everything is perfect.
The characters are fun and the actors clearly enjoyed their roles. It's nice to see B-Movie action stars and familiar faces brought together for this flick.
Obviously it won't be for everyone who is looking for a giant epic third installment compared to other movie sagas. Might be out of place for those who haven't seen the previous movie, but the beginning does give you an introduction.
They have a decent cast and sfx that looks way above what the money could have supplied them with. The story is a little out of focus in some parts but it follows through just fine in the end for our hero (Lindsey Morgan). There are a few scenes of questionable CGI but for a movie that is mostly practical effects and alien suits, it's very obvious where the budget went to keep it from looking too cheap. Not everything is perfect.
The characters are fun and the actors clearly enjoyed their roles. It's nice to see B-Movie action stars and familiar faces brought together for this flick.
Obviously it won't be for everyone who is looking for a giant epic third installment compared to other movie sagas. Might be out of place for those who haven't seen the previous movie, but the beginning does give you an introduction.
Computer says, "No!"
legionofthesnowzombie19 December 2020
When the original Skyline came out the critics panned it as being a trashy action Sci-Fi. It may have been that, but it did it really well, that's what made it so popular.
Then there was the obligatory sequel. That should have been it but of course someone thought you know there's a few dollars left in this dead IP, so let's flog that dead horse. This movie is awful and not in a good way. It looks like most of the budget went on average CGI, because the physical props are embarrassing, the acting is mediocre and the script is puerile.
Once more a woman pretends to be a man. Why can't writers write for women anymore? We get the same old tired stuff, a script written for a man, played by a woman. Is it that hard to write a decent believable female character anymore? She literally needed a superpower to make her role more believable, what a ridiculous story.
Watching this movie will make you a little dead inside, you've been warned.
Computer says, "No!"
Then there was the obligatory sequel. That should have been it but of course someone thought you know there's a few dollars left in this dead IP, so let's flog that dead horse. This movie is awful and not in a good way. It looks like most of the budget went on average CGI, because the physical props are embarrassing, the acting is mediocre and the script is puerile.
Once more a woman pretends to be a man. Why can't writers write for women anymore? We get the same old tired stuff, a script written for a man, played by a woman. Is it that hard to write a decent believable female character anymore? She literally needed a superpower to make her role more believable, what a ridiculous story.
Watching this movie will make you a little dead inside, you've been warned.
Computer says, "No!"
It tries, it fails
namstonk19 December 2020
The whole premise to the trilogy is pretty good and the first two are enjoyable. However, Lindsey Morgan is a poor poor lead, she was rotten in The 100 and that was truly horrific TV so having her be the lead in a movie is too much.
Alexander Siddig is his usual class and tries to offer some credibility but to no avail. As for Rhona Mitra, she scared the bejeezus out of me, they should have her play the 'bad guy'.
If you like watching garbage, then this is a movie for you!
Mork_the_Borg18 March 2021
Gave up after 9 minutes and 55 seconds. What a waste of time and money. Bad acting, bad script, special effects that have been done a 100x before and also done better, and more Botox than is good for anyone to watch. Why do people keep making these movies? Surely there are so many good stories that need to be told, but Hell no, we need another so called Science Fiction movie taken from some 50 cents pulp novel that was fished from the garbage bin with the smell of fish-and-chips still attached to it. Good Lord, go and find a decent job, but stay away from film making please!
Not too shabby
Top_Dawg_Critic30 December 2020
It's better than I expected. Visuals S/VFX and costume design was top shelf. Acting and casting was decent, with hottie Lindsey Morgan becoming more convincing at the film progressed. The directing was also good, but the story was too long and dragged out with some long and unnecessary scenes. Sound could've also been better. The production value alone doesn't deserve anything less than a 5/10. It's a well deserved and solid 7/10 from me.
Laughable Virtue Signalling!
heratyplant4 January 2021
REJECT THIS GARBAGE or IT WILL GET WORSE!!
A truly risible opener, that not only is a joke & done so badly it could be on Red Letter Media's Best of the Worst, but it's also misleading, as it makes you think you've missed a movie! All women in charge, killing thousands of 'her men' & with the Mary-Sue answer to everything, pulease!
A strong female lead is great, we all love Alien or similar, but done the wrong way, as here, it's just stomach churning garbage & so obvious that it's making a statement, rather than trying to entertain the audience, you can keep that & shove it thanks.
A truly risible opener, that not only is a joke & done so badly it could be on Red Letter Media's Best of the Worst, but it's also misleading, as it makes you think you've missed a movie! All women in charge, killing thousands of 'her men' & with the Mary-Sue answer to everything, pulease!
A strong female lead is great, we all love Alien or similar, but done the wrong way, as here, it's just stomach churning garbage & so obvious that it's making a statement, rather than trying to entertain the audience, you can keep that & shove it thanks.
It is so bad that turns into a comedy movie.
muka-0997731 December 2020
I think this could be a good movie for children. Not for adults that knows the minimum of physics. The sad thing is that the most effects are good, but the actors do not know play their roles as well as espected and the plot as some failures. Some scenarios could had been better as well.
Solid B movie made better by Lindsey Morgan
margo-anger22 December 2020
Always reliable Skyline franchise.
jonathandewaal29 December 2020
Should I take this seriously?
publicemaildump17 February 2021
The cinematic equivalent of Dr Who
swedishchefdavenator24 December 2020
As a standalone movie the alien has a purely comic look, just an awful crazy predator like look and totally unconvincing. Thee wooden acting was only surpassed by the silly alien human dialogue. I am not convinced there was a plot just some loosely connected scenes with a Dr Who feel about it all, cheap sets, poor acting and nothing convincing about it all. Overall it was a miserable attempt at aliens and not worth watching
Bad. Couldn't finish it.
thierryfiq23 December 2020
I expected B movie category. Sadly this movie didn't even get that far. The plot is childish and full of holes. The science is... Not science. The tech comes from a hodgepoge of pieces gathered from a 70's tech level dump lighted in blue or yellow. The acting is wooden. The cgi makes no sense. The progress of the story is best described with a "???"
I couldn't even make it to the end "to know how it ends".
Avoid at all costs
I couldn't even make it to the end "to know how it ends".
Avoid at all costs
Great Sci-Fi Action Film!
skipreader4 November 2021
I think this movie is under-rated. Too many people get hung up on details and minutiae! This is an action packed, "shoot'em up", good guys against the evil aliens...WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT??? I will promptly agree that this is not the best movie ever made (or that I'm ever seen!), but I love a good shoot'em, kill those damn aliens movies and I liked this one. I give it a solid 7 out of 10.
EPIC IN SCALE & FANTASTIC SCI-FI ACTION
lukem-5276026 March 2021
This incredible 3rd film in the Skyline Trilogy is excellent & i mean excellent!!!
For a low-budget B-movie it's incredible, some of the stuff on screen looks like it cost 80 Million or so like the Predator or Alien franchises!!! So what they've pulled off on a small budget is Amazing & to think of the amount of hard work put into this film & it's a DTV release OH MY!!!
The production on SKYLINES looks so good & so impressive that it could've been a Cinema release film.
The world building is top notch & i got a feel of great sci-fi like "Star Wars: Rogue One" with it's team on a deadly suicide mission & i got vibes of the Classic "Aliens" & even "Starship Troopers" this is like a Classy homage to that kind of fantasy Sci-fi & it pretty much all works!!!!
The main character of Rose is fleshed out here & this is her story as she's grown up to a full rebel tough as hell lady & we get flash backs to the excellent BEYOND SKYLINE & see Rose as that little Alien girl & her Awesome dad, the fantastic Frank Grillo & it all links together as great storytelling & world building.
Everything about SKYLINES feels epic & the scale of everything is huge & impressive like a B-movie that's destined to become a Cult CLASSIC.
Some of the shots are stunning & the Cinematography is excellent as is the cast of characters & their performances, all great.
Rose carries the film as a badass like Ripley or even Snake Plisskin & makes a very cool new Cult Action Hero.
Now it would be a shame for this to just slip through the cracks & go unnoticed because it's a great fun sci-fi action Thriller with astonishing special effects both practical & c.g.i but all seamlessly put together for a nice visual experience.
A Sci-fi B-movie that punches way above it's weight & is more fun & entertaining that those huge mega budget franchises such as "Transformers" for example.
I still think BEYOND SKYLINE is probably my favourite because i loved Frank Grillo in that but SKYLINES Is just as good in many other ways & both are way better than the first film.
For a low-budget B-movie it's incredible, some of the stuff on screen looks like it cost 80 Million or so like the Predator or Alien franchises!!! So what they've pulled off on a small budget is Amazing & to think of the amount of hard work put into this film & it's a DTV release OH MY!!!
The production on SKYLINES looks so good & so impressive that it could've been a Cinema release film.
The world building is top notch & i got a feel of great sci-fi like "Star Wars: Rogue One" with it's team on a deadly suicide mission & i got vibes of the Classic "Aliens" & even "Starship Troopers" this is like a Classy homage to that kind of fantasy Sci-fi & it pretty much all works!!!!
The main character of Rose is fleshed out here & this is her story as she's grown up to a full rebel tough as hell lady & we get flash backs to the excellent BEYOND SKYLINE & see Rose as that little Alien girl & her Awesome dad, the fantastic Frank Grillo & it all links together as great storytelling & world building.
Everything about SKYLINES feels epic & the scale of everything is huge & impressive like a B-movie that's destined to become a Cult CLASSIC.
Some of the shots are stunning & the Cinematography is excellent as is the cast of characters & their performances, all great.
Rose carries the film as a badass like Ripley or even Snake Plisskin & makes a very cool new Cult Action Hero.
Now it would be a shame for this to just slip through the cracks & go unnoticed because it's a great fun sci-fi action Thriller with astonishing special effects both practical & c.g.i but all seamlessly put together for a nice visual experience.
A Sci-fi B-movie that punches way above it's weight & is more fun & entertaining that those huge mega budget franchises such as "Transformers" for example.
I still think BEYOND SKYLINE is probably my favourite because i loved Frank Grillo in that but SKYLINES Is just as good in many other ways & both are way better than the first film.
Dissappointment...
psxp19 December 2020
Well, I never was a big fan of SkyLine, the first film. It was ok, for what it was. Beyond Skyline was actually pretty good - I remember being surprised.
But this was disappointing for the expectations I had.
Slow at the start, cliche in parts. Felt I'd seen this story in many other sci fi films over the years.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
