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STAR RATINGS EXPLAINED
5 Stars Classic
4 Stars Excellent
3 Stars Good
2 Stars Fair
1 Star Tragic

FILM DETAILS
Certificate
12A
Cast
Anthony McPartlin
Declan Donnelly
Omid Djalili
Morwenna Banks
Bill Pullman.
Directors
Jonny Campbell.
Screenwriters
Will Davies.
Running Time
95 minutes


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Alien Autopsy (12A)

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Alien Autopsy
Plot
It’s 1996, and on a trip to Cleveland to buy Elvis trinkets for his London market stall, Ray (Donnelly) meets the mysterious Harvey (Harry Dean Stanton), who sells him real footage from a 1947 alien autopsy at Roswell. When Ray and pal Gary (McPartlin) return to England and find the film has corroded, they set about making their own version to show the world.

Review

Are Ant and Dec attempting global domination? They’ve been child stars, pop stars, ITV’s most popular hosts, and now — with the help of Shameless and Phoenix Nights director Jonny Campbell — they’ve made this, their enjoyable first feature.

While it’s not as hilarious as you might have hoped, it’s a decent lark that begins as their two characters, Gary and Ray, agree to be interviewed by documentary-maker Morgan Banner (Pullman). He has no idea who they are, but becomes interested as their story about buying genuine alien autopsy footage unfolds, and they tell how they eventually find themselves having to fake an autopsy in Gary’s sister’s living room.

The best scenes, of course, are the ones in which the boys are faking the autopsy with the help of an eclectic bunch of friends — an undertaker, a mannequin-maker (who is dating Ray’s nan), a butcher (who provides the haggis that doubles for an alien brain), and kebab shop owner Melik (Omid Djalili) — it’s like a Morecambe and Wise sketch as Nan interrupts offering biscuits, the clock falls off the wall and Gary panics as blood drops on his sister’s carpet.

It’s too slow in the build-up to the boys’ acquisition of the film, and there’s predictable rivalry between the pair later on, but once this gets going, the laughs are consistent.

Verdict
Often funny and infectiously silly — Ant and Dec conquer (or at least have a good stab at) another visual medium. Eric and Ernie would be proud.


Reviewer: Jo Berry

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Your Reviews
Average user rating for Alien Autopsy
Empire Star Rating

utter crap
Empire User Rating

what a total cock-up. it's a pity, because it could have been better. the only remotely funny bit in it was the autopsy scenes, and apart from the genuine film that they reveal at the end, it's complete crap. ... Read More

jayandsilentbob About me
18:18, 02 October 2009 | Report This Post

this is utter crap
Empire User Rating

excuse me I would like to offer a reward to someone who can tell me what this film is about.any takers?No I did'nt think so.Ant and Deck cannot act they stare at the camera like somebody that belong on a yellow bus!! I was half tempted to go and sit in a toilet cubical to try and get the imges out of my brain!!! ... Read More

ryanand conor About me
15:05, 17 July 2007 | Report This Post

Alien Autopsy
Empire User Rating

Although it takes a while to get going, this is not a bad effort, but due to an interesting story not because of the humour. Ant and Dec certainly have decent chemistry, as you'd expect, but the characters rarely show any depth. An enjoyable romp made better by the occasional ring of truth but don't expect too much. ... Read More

qualidad About me
14:48, 27 December 2006 | Report This Post

Alien Autopsy - Fantastic!
Empire User Rating

Who would have thought that two ordinary british guys that normally host ITV's latest program idea could hit it so well in films! I think what makes this film so good is the chemistry between Ant and Dec. As most people know, they have been friends for years and how lucky for them to get a part where they are both the best of friends. The film was cleverly done, funny, had a great british cast (and included some great americans as well!) and was positivly a great make of the true story that capt... Read More

Empo About me
11:56, 28 April 2006 | Report This Post

RE: Ant N Dec Autopsy!!!
Empire User Rating

Have to agree with the ho hum reviews of this, it wasn't a laugh out aloud evry minute comedy, it wasn't dark enough to be a black comedy and it wasnt exactly a fun 'caper' film.   Ant and dec were ok, problem was I couldn't suspend disbelief and beleive they were the characters, they were just ant and dec off of the telly, no critism of them, Noel edmonds could put in the best ever performance of Hamlet and he'd still be the bloke with the beard and Crinkley Bottom.     ... Read More

Manny About me
12:18, 20 April 2006 | Report This Post

Ant N Dec Autopsy!!!
Empire User Rating

I really don't know how to rate this film! I wanted to enjoy it as I have to admit I do enjoy the sense of humour of the geordie duo, but I feel that although the film was about true events and the script and story were actually ok, I could still only see Ant N Dec as Ant N Dec!!!!! I would recommend it, but more as a matinee film than top notch saturday night viewing!!!! ... Read More

dragonINC About me
21:15, 17 April 2006 | Report This Post

RE: alien autopsy
Empire User Rating

Went to see this film last night.  Turns out it wasn't all that bad.  There are a few laughs in it and Ant and Dec do an alright job.  After seeing them do a load of presenting gigs you kind of forget they started out acting on Byker Grove, so yeah they can act.  A good start from them both, I really do hope they do well in film in future.   By the way I may be biased, I am from Newcastle....... ... Read More

Loxley About me
11:56, 15 April 2006 | Report This Post

alien autopsy
Empire User Rating

did not like this film thought it was bobbins. ant and dec were ok but nothing special. i found this film realy boring except for the actual staging of the autopsy which was painstakingly funny but other than that i found this to be below adveredge. and what the hell was jimmy carr doing in there i mean the man is not funny. also i think that the jokes were very adveredge no thing more nothing less. over all i think that this film was alright thats it. ... Read More

frankenstien About me
18:19, 12 April 2006 | Report This Post

Entertaining
Empire User Rating

Enjoyed Ant & Dec performance in the film. Was a bit slow to begin with and not a laugh-a-minute flick. But the autopsy bit is funny. The storyline is good but too few laughs. Hats of to the geordie duo for a good debut performance. If u r a fan of the boys go see it you enjoy it. I'm off 2 see it again ... Read More

scottishsuzee About me
12:05, 11 April 2006 | Report This Post

What?
Empire User Rating

Sorry, but did anything actually happen in this film? The story was as bad as Syriana's directing! ... Read More

mingmong9 About me
23:41, 07 April 2006 | Report This Post

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