Australiens

Director - Joe Bauer (The Killage)
Starring - Rita Artmann (The Void), Tamara McLaughlin (Out of the Shadows), and Lawrence Silver (The Void)
Release Date - 2014
Genre - Comedy/Sci-Fi/Horror
Tagline - "We aren't alone and it sucks"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

        I'm not that well versed in Australian horror.  I have seen a few dozen horror flicks from down under and almost all of them were very memorable and entertaining.  I don't know why I have never actually researched and found more to watch but I haven't.  Over the last few years I have received several indie horror flicks from Australia to review.  Most, if not all, were awesome and really surprised me in regards to how well they were shot.  One film that I was sent to check out and was really excited to see was Australiens.  Not only does it have one of the best titles for a horror comedy in recent years but it absolutely looked amazing.  The film was sent to me to check out from my friends over at Brain Damage Films and Midnight Releasing.  Thanks for once again hooking me up with a great film!

     The film begins 17 years ago when alien enthusiast Andi (Artmann)  goes outside at night and her balloon is stolen from her by an alien spacecraft.  We then jump 17 years and she fronts a rock band and is still obsessed with aliens.  She feels she is different then everyone else and blames her encounter with the craft as the reasoning behind it.  When aliens start attacking Australia she assumes they are there to get her because she is special but she learns that she is special for a different reason and the reason they are attacking is because her cousin is a dick.

     I knew this film would be full of camp and cheese but this film was a whole new level of camp.  It was fucking brilliant.  The film was very enjoyable and truly convinced me to check out more Australian horror.  The acting in this one is indie great but still had room for improvement.  The entire cast was dedicated fully to their roles.  They gave it their all and it showed in every scene.  Some of the cast was a little more dedicated than others.  Some of the characters were a lot more enjoyable than others but that is not the casts fault but it does show how talented they really were.  The story for this one is a love letter to the space invasion flicks of the 50s that then meets the X-Files generation.  It was brilliant and offered up so many hilarious moments.  The story was written very well and offered up several twists that need to be seen to be appreciated.  Finally, those of you looking for blood will find a little CGI blood but if you want green goo and some campy visual effects then this film is for you.  The effects are bright, colorful, and very campy.  The film relies heavily on these contrasting colors to pull off the look of the film.  For the most part it works but some of the scenes you can really see how bad the visual effects are which ruins the look they were going for.  Overall, Australiens is the type of film you watch late at night with a pizza and cold beer.  It's far from perfect but you can't deny just how fun it is.  If you love campy horror and sci-fi flicks then you should give this one a chance.