Dove Review

This is one of those movies that you find to be better than anticipated. The action begins immediately with a meteor storm and space ships flying rapidly in space as the aliens begin a gradual invasion of earth. Next, we find an average American family, with a girl named Bethany Pearson (Ashley Tisdale), who is dating a jerk named Ricky (Robert Hoffman), who lies to her parents about being in high school (he’s actually in college). He removes a part from his car so it won’t start, as he plans to spend the night with Bethany’s family so he can spend more time with her. We soon see that the movie draws on realism in family dynamics as the eldest son Tom (Carter Jenkins) is a whiz at math but is purposely failing because he has been teased about being a math geek.

The film features the realism of youth as cousins and brothers and sister become impatient with each other and toss some name calling at each other too. They act like most kids really do. However, they soon realize they have to stick together to fight the aliens, who are in their cottage’s attic. One of the aliens says, “We come in pieces,” instead of peace, when they actually plan an attack but only one of them turns out to be friendly to the Pearsons.

There were more laughs than I figured there would be, including a few scenes when the kids use an alien device on Bethany’s jerk of a boyfriend, making him obey their commands and his goofy expressions are some fine moments of physical humor. There are a few parallels to “E.T.” too. However, there are a few moments when the aliens’ aggressive behavior might frighten very young children, and with the name calling and some violent moments, although much of it cartoon-like, we recommend the 12+ Dove “Family-Approved” Seal. The aliens are not only in the attic, but they’re waiting for you in your local theater. Go see them and expect to laugh. “Aliens in the Attic” is a family comedy with heart!

Dove Rating Details

0

Faith

None

0

Integrity

Some paint balls are shot and strike a few characters; a young man is hit in the crotch with a paint ball; a few characters are zapped in the neck by aliens; kids throw various objects at aliens; a dart is shot at a cousin by a character; a character falls from a height; an alien eats a rat; a fire extinguisher is used on aliens; a character uses an alien machine to make another character slap himself several times; a young man accidentally runs into his car and dents the door; a young man and grandmother fight each other with martial arts while under the influence of an alien machine; the use of a Mentos/diet Coke explosion; an alien is hit in the crotch.

1

Sex

A kissing scene on TV.

2

Language

G/OMG-7; Thank God-1; Crap-1; Cripe-1; Wuss-1; Twit-1; Suckers-1; Sucks-1; Freakin-1; Idiot-1; Buggers-1; Dumb-1

2

Violence

Some paint balls are shot and strike a few characters; a young man is hit in the crotch with a paint ball; a few characters are zapped in the neck by aliens; kids throw various objects at aliens; a dart is shot at a cousin by a character; a character falls from a height; an alien eats a rat; a fire extinguisher is used on aliens; a character uses an alien machine to make another character slap himself several times; a young man accidentally runs into his car and dents the door; a young man and grandmother fight each other with martial arts while under the influence of an alien machine; the use of a Mentos/diet Coke explosion; an alien is hit in the crotch.

1

Drugs

A comment about needing some beer; beer is consumed briefly in one scene.

2

Nudity

Mild cleavage; shirtless young man; girl seen in bikini.

2

Other

A character attempts to change his grades on the computer but his parents catch him; a girl climbs into her brother's window after her boyfriend drops her off; a young man pretends his car has a problem so he can spend the night at his girlfriend's family's home; a young man lies to his girlfriend's parents as he says he is in high school when he actually is in college; a young man puts frozen food on his crotch after being hit there by a paint ball; a few of the aliens appear angry and might scare very young children; kids lie to parents about the aliens and also about a character who is acting oddly due to the aliens' influence; an alien belch; a grandmother removes her false teeth; an alien drinks water from toilet; kids make a character give himself a wedgie by using the alien's device.