Overall, it is pretty interesting. The film is constructed in compelling fashion, although the presentation also gives away the fact that it is indeed not real. Think about it a little. If it was real, would it be released as a horror film? It may be billed as being real, but it is never presented as a documentary. If it is real, why not any more present day interviews with anyone involved? Yes, this is explained, but I am sure there is someone they could have gotten. If it were real, why show archival and recreation footage simultaneously? That seems to be counter-productive.
Now, take away the reality of the situation and watch it as a fictional film. On this level it works well enough. We are drawn in using a variety of tricks, including the personal introduction by Milla Jovovich. While the recreated and archival footage playing at the same time is counterproductive to believing it is actually real, it is presented in an engrossing fashion with split and quad-screen presentation with moving bars, changing the size of the various sections and pulling your eye around the screen. It is a rather interesting way to show the footage and it works.
Bottom line. In the end, the movie itself is decent. The hoax factor does hurt it in the long run, but it is an interesting film that tries something new with the first person/found footage genre that has found a certain level of popularity over the past few years. I cannot say it has much replay value, but there is no denying that with the right state of mind, this could seem to be compelling.
Mildly Recommended.
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Article comments
1 - Jeff
Dear Chris,
While you are obviously a qualified and competent movie critic, that’s all you are! Don’t get me wrong, you are entitled to your opinion, but there are people who have spent there entire life’s interviewing, studying and researching this phenomena, including, until recently, a Harvard professor.
Anyone who doesn’t believe, at this point, that we are, and have been, visited by an extraterrestrial intelligence, for at least the last sixty years, is merely uninformed.
Dr David Jacobs, Budd Hopkins and the late, Dr. John Mack, represent over twenty years of research, interviewing thousands of alleged abductees’, from around the world and they all say the same thing.
Keep in mind, very little actual abduction criteria, has every been released. Meaning, if you watched and read everything regarding abductions, in an attempt to deceive one of these researchers, into believing you are an actual abductee, it WOULDN’T WORK.
Am I saying that the movie “The Fourth Kind”, represents an actual abduction case, NO, but make no mistake, the Phenomena, is real.
So, please continue, reviewing entertainment. That’s what your good at, but stay out of the deep end, you obviously can’t swim!
Sincerely,
JB
Harrisburg, PA.
2 - Christopher Rose
Jeff,
The author of this article is a skilled and experienced reviewer, in contrast with yourself, who merely seems to be opinionated.
Whilst it is one of my dearest wishes to see a meeting of terrestrials and extraterrestrials, it is certainly wishful thinking to conclude that there is evidence of visitations, never mind actual abductions.
There are several tens of thousands of scientists on our planet, so it will certainly take more than the opinions of just three to make the case.
The fact that many alleged abductees say the same thing is no proof of veracity at all.
Meanwhile, I'd stay in the paddling pool if I were you, you can't even spell accurately, never mind think!
3 - jeff
First of all Richard, or do you mind if I call you Dick!
Was I talking to you!
Secondly, if you think all of the evidence regarding extraterrestrial visitation, is nothing more then “wishful thinking” your not just uninformed, your stupid!
I have neither the time nor the patients, to educate you, but when I want your opinion, I’ll come down to McDonalds, and ask for a large fry!
Sincerely,
JB
4 - Christopher Rose
Jeff, not only can you not write, spell or think, you can't even read with attention. I see no need to even bother responding further to your lazy ignorance.
5 - Chris Beaumont
Who's Richard?
6 - doug m
An experienced reviewer wouldn't spoil the movie for everyone and a skilled one wouldn't be redundant like the start of the second paragraph.
7 - Chris Beaumont
Guess it's a good thing I'm neither. Kinda takes the pressure off.
8 - Jordan Richardson
I have neither the time nor the patients
Business is slow?
9 - david
the fourth kind sucked, rookie movie maker, who has no back ground of ufology, threw it in a blender, all mixed up. the movie lovers are in a crib and have no clue.