Watch Alien Nation

In the year 1988, the sci-fi action-thriller movie Alien Nation was released in theaters, directed by Graham Baker and starring James Caan, Mandy Patinkin, and Terence Stamp. The production design was done by Jack T. Collis. The story revolves around the integration of a group of extraterrestrial slaves, referred to as "Newcomers", into the human society of Los Angeles. These aliens, who look similar to humans, distinguish themselves from humans through their baldheads and peculiar spots on their faces. They have their own language, culture, and traditions.

The story follows Los Angeles police detective Matt Sykes (James Caan) who is tasked with partnering with a Newcomer detective, Sam Francisco, also known as "George" (Mandy Patinkin). Their mission is to solve the murder case of a fellow officer who was killed during a heist. However, the case takes a surprising turn when they discover that the culprits are Newcomer slaves and Sykes becomes involved in an internal Newcomer conflict.

The movie takes place during a time when society is struggling with the integration of immigrants from different cultures into American life. Nonetheless, Alien Nation takes it one step further — it tells the story of the integration of a whole new race of beings into the fabric of human society. The underlying theme revolves around the struggle for civil rights and the fear of the unknown.

One of the strengths of Alien Nation is its ability to present the human-alien interactions in a way that feels genuine. Throughout the movie, both the humans and the Newcomers are portrayed with real emotions and genuine feelings. Sykes’ character represents the typical, everyday “conservative” American who understands that the Newcomers must be integrated, but, at the same time, he doesn’t like it. He has a particular bias against the aliens which he must overcome while working closely with Francisco.

Francisco's character, on the other hand, represents a typical Newcomer who has been adopted into human culture while still retaining his own culture and traditions. He is often victimized due to the prejudices of the humans and the “Purists” — Newcomers who believe they are superior to humans.

Terence Stamp portrays William Harcourt, leader of the Purists, who is intent on keeping the Newcomer culture pure and separate from human culture. He is fierce and charismatic and adds a new layer of intensity to the conflict between the Newcomers and the Purists.

The special effects in Alien Nation are innovative and convincing. The aliens are portrayed through impressive makeup and prosthetic work that makes them believable and unique.

One of the most prominent features of Alien Nation is its imaginative depiction of the Newcomer’s culture. The film explores the differences in their customs, rituals, and ways of life, and their impact on the integration process. An example is the consumption of mineral water, which is necessary for the aliens' survival. It is interesting to see how they are integrated into society in their own, unique ways.

Alien Nation is a classic movie that showcases a novel concept and story that remains unique to this day. The underlying message of integration in the face of adversity is as relevant today as it was in 1988. Despite the science fiction theme, the film tells a relatable story that speaks to the modern world. It’s a great watch for fans of the genre, and fans of good storytelling.

Alien Nation is a 1988 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 45.