Overview
“Alien from L.A.” is a 1988 science fiction adventure film directed by Albert Pyun. The story follows a young woman named Wanda Saknussemm, portrayed by Kathy Ireland, who accidentally discovers a hidden underground civilization in the depths of the Earth. The film begins with Wanda feeling out of place in her life, but her journey takes an unexpected turn when she falls through the floor of a Los Angeles construction site and finds herself in a strange subterranean world.
In this underground society, Wanda encounters bizarre creatures and eccentric characters, including a rebellious prince named Argon. As she navigates this unfamiliar world, Wanda learns about her own strength and resilience while uncovering secrets about her family’s past. Along the way, she must confront various challenges and adversaries, including the oppressive ruler of the underground kingdom.
Despite its low budget and mixed critical reception, “Alien from L.A.” has gained a cult following over the years for its quirky premise and charming lead performance by Kathy Ireland. The film combines elements of science fiction, adventure, and comedy, offering viewers a unique and entertaining ride through a fantastical underground world.
Plot of the Movie
In “Alien from L.A.,” Wanda Saknussemm, a young woman portrayed by Kathy Ireland, feels out of place in her life. However, her mundane existence takes a drastic turn when she accidentally falls through the floor of a Los Angeles construction site and finds herself in a hidden underground civilization.
In this strange subterranean world, Wanda encounters bizarre creatures and eccentric characters. Among them is Argon, a rebellious prince with whom she forms a bond. As Wanda explores this underground society, she learns about her own strength and resilience while uncovering secrets about her family’s past.
However, Wanda soon discovers that the underground kingdom is ruled by an oppressive dictator. Alongside Argon and other allies, she becomes embroiled in a struggle against tyranny as they attempt to overthrow the oppressive ruler and bring freedom to the underground society.
Throughout her journey, Wanda faces numerous challenges and adversaries, but she ultimately proves herself to be resourceful and courageous. Along the way, she not only learns valuable lessons about herself but also forms meaningful connections with the inhabitants of the underground world.
Despite its low budget and mixed critical reception, “Alien from L.A.” has garnered a cult following for its quirky premise and charming lead performance by Kathy Ireland. The film’s blend of science fiction, adventure, and comedy offers viewers an entertaining and memorable cinematic experience.
Reasons to Watch It
“Watch ‘Alien from L.A.’ for a quirky and entertaining blend of science fiction, adventure, and comedy, featuring Kathy Ireland’s charming lead performance and a unique underground world.”
Unique Premise – The film’s concept of a young woman discovering a hidden underground civilization beneath Los Angeles is both intriguing and original, providing a fresh take on the science fiction genre. Cult Following – Despite its mixed critical reception, “Alien from L.A.” has gained a dedicated cult following over the years. Watching it allows viewers to experience a piece of cinematic history that has developed a niche fanbase. Quirky Charm – The film’s low-budget production lends it a certain charm, with its eccentric characters and imaginative world-building adding to its appeal. It’s a fun and lighthearted adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Kathy Ireland’s Performance – Kathy Ireland delivers a charming and engaging performance as the lead character, Wanda Saknussemm. Her portrayal adds depth and likability to the protagonist, making her journey through the underground world compelling to watch. Nostalgia – For some viewers, “Alien from L.A.” may evoke feelings of nostalgia for ’80s science fiction films. Watching it can be a nostalgic trip back to a time when practical effects and imaginative storytelling were the norm. Escape into Fantasy – The film offers an escape into a fantastical world filled with strange creatures and exotic landscapes. It’s a whimsical adventure that allows viewers to momentarily leave reality behind and immerse themselves in an imaginative setting.
Overall, “Alien from L.A.” provides an entertaining and quirky viewing experience that appeals to fans of cult cinema, science fiction, and adventure films alike.
Reasons to Avoid It
“Alien from L.A.” should be avoided due to its poor acting, weak plot, low production values, uninspired direction, clichéd characters, lack of originality, and incoherent world-building, making it a forgettable and unengaging film.
Poor Acting – The performances in the film are often criticized for lacking authenticity and failing to engage the audience. Kathy Ireland, who plays the lead role of Wanda Saknussemm, delivers a particularly underwhelming performance, with flat line delivery and a lack of emotional range. Supporting actors also contribute to the overall weak acting in the film, failing to bring their characters to life or establish any meaningful connections with the audience. Weak Plot – The storyline of “Alien from L.A.” is convoluted and poorly executed. The premise revolves around a young woman who inadvertently finds herself in the underground world of Atlantis, encountering various bizarre characters and creatures along the way. However, the plot lacks coherence, with numerous illogical twists and turns that fail to hold the audience’s interest or make sense within the context of the narrative.
Low Production Values – The production values of “Alien from L.A.” are notably subpar, even by 1980s standards. The special effects are rudimentary and unconvincing, with poorly executed CGI and cheap practical effects that detract from the overall viewing experience. Additionally, the set design and cinematography are uninspired, with bland visuals that fail to create a compelling or immersive world for the audience to explore. Uninspired Direction – The direction of “Alien from L.A.” lacks creativity and vision, resulting in a film that feels disjointed and poorly paced. The action sequences are poorly choreographed, with awkward editing and staging that diminishes any sense of excitement or tension. Furthermore, the overall tone of the film is inconsistent, veering between campy humor and awkward attempts at drama without finding a cohesive balance between the two.
Clichéd Characters – The characters in “Alien from L.A.” are thinly developed and lack depth or complexity. Wanda Saknussemm, the protagonist, is portrayed as a stereotypical ‘fish out of water’ character, with little personality beyond her initial shock and confusion upon discovering the underground world of Atlantis. Similarly, the supporting characters are one-dimensional and lack any memorable traits or motivations, making it difficult for the audience to invest in their journey or care about their fates. Lack of Originality -“Alien from L.A.” borrows heavily from other, more successful science fiction and adventure films, but fails to bring anything new or interesting to the table. The premise of a young woman discovering a hidden world beneath the Earth’s surface is reminiscent of classic stories like “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” but lacks the creativity or imagination to offer a fresh take on the concept. Instead, the film relies on tired tropes and predictable plot twists, resulting in a derivative and uninspired viewing experience.
Incoherent World-building – The world-building in “Alien from L.A.” is inconsistent and poorly explained, leaving many aspects of the story feeling confusing or implausible. The underground world of Atlantis is depicted as a hodgepodge of random elements, with no clear rules or logic governing its existence. As a result, the audience is left scratching their heads trying to make sense of the various creatures, cultures, and technologies that populate the setting, further undermining their ability to become emotionally invested in the story.
Overall, “Alien from L.A.” is widely regarded as a forgettable and poorly made film that fails to deliver on its potential. With weak acting, a convoluted plot, low production values, uninspired direction, clichéd characters, lack of originality, and incoherent world-building, it’s best avoided by those seeking quality entertainment.
Critical Response
“Alien from L.A.” received overwhelmingly negative critical responses upon its release. Critics widely panned the film for its poor acting, particularly Kathy Ireland’s portrayal of the lead character, Wanda Saknussemm, which was criticized for lacking emotional depth and credibility.
The storyline was heavily criticized for its lack of coherence and originality, with many finding it nonsensical and filled with inconsistencies. Additionally, the film’s low production values, including subpar special effects and set design, were widely condemned, as they detracted from the overall viewing experience.
The direction of “Alien from L.A.” was deemed uninspired, with scenes feeling disjointed and poorly paced, failing to build tension or immersion. Characters were criticized for being one-dimensional and clichéd, lacking depth and complexity.
Moreover, the lack of originality and incoherent world-building further contributed to the film’s negative reception, leaving critics and audiences alike disappointed with its derivative and unengaging nature. As a result, “Alien from L.A.” stands as a prime example of a poorly executed and unenjoyable film experience.
| Aspect | Critique |
|---|---|
| Acting | Kathy Ireland’s performance criticized for lacking emotional depth and credibility. |
| Plot | Storyline deemed nonsensical and filled with inconsistencies, lacking coherence and originality. |
| Production Values | Low production values, including subpar special effects and set design, detracted from the viewing experience. |
| Direction | Uninspired direction with disjointed scenes, failed to build tension or immersion. |
| Characters | One-dimensional and clichéd characters lacking depth and complexity. |
| Originality | Lack of originality, felt derivative and uninspired. |
| World-building | Incoherent world-building, poorly explained and inconsistent. |
Key Themes
The key themes of “Alien from L.A.” encompass identity, adventure, exploration, escape from reality, acceptance and adaptation, friendship and connection, and overcoming adversity, though they may not be fully developed or effectively conveyed throughout the film.
Identity – The protagonist, Wanda Saknussemm, undergoes a journey of self-discovery as she finds herself transported to an underground world. Throughout the film, she grapples with questions of identity and belonging, ultimately finding her place in this new environment. Adventure – The film is centered around an adventure narrative, as Wanda navigates the underground world, encountering various challenges and obstacles along the way. The theme of adventure underscores the action-packed nature of the storyline. Exploration – Wanda’s journey parallels themes of exploration and discovery, as she uncovers the secrets of the underground civilization and learns about its inhabitants. The theme of exploration ties into the sense of wonder and curiosity that drives the narrative forward.
Escape from Reality – Wanda’s initial dissatisfaction with her mundane life above ground reflects a desire to escape from reality. The underground world offers her an opportunity to break free from the constraints of her everyday existence and embark on a fantastical adventure. Acceptance and Adaptation – As Wanda adjusts to life in the underground world, she must learn to accept and adapt to her new surroundings. The theme of acceptance underscores the importance of embracing change and finding resilience in the face of adversity. Friendship and Connection – Throughout her journey, Wanda forms bonds with various characters she encounters underground. These relationships highlight the theme of friendship and connection, as Wanda finds companionship and support in unexpected places. Overcoming Adversity – Wanda faces numerous challenges and adversaries throughout the film, but ultimately perseveres in her quest to find her father and return home. The theme of overcoming adversity underscores the resilience and determination of the protagonist.
“Alien from L.A.” may not explore these themes with depth or nuance, they nevertheless provide underlying threads that contribute to the overall narrative and character development within the film.
Memorable Moments
Despite its overall reception, “Alien from L.A.” contains memorable moments such as the discovery of the underground world, encounters with eccentric characters, action sequences, moments of humor, glimpses of character development, exploration of the underground civilization, and climactic scenes that may resonate with viewers.
Introduction to the Underground World – The moment when Wanda first discovers the hidden underground civilization beneath the Earth’s surface can be visually striking and intriguing, setting the stage for the adventure to come. Encounters with Unusual Characters – Throughout her journey, Wanda encounters a variety of eccentric and unique characters in the underground world, such as the quirky inhabitants of the underground city or the enigmatic figures guarding its secrets. Action Sequences -Despite the film’s flaws, it features several action sequences, including chases, fights, and daring escapes, which may provide moments of excitement and adrenaline for viewers. Moments of Humor – “Alien from L.A.” contains elements of campiness and unintentional humor that some viewers may find memorable, whether it’s due to cheesy dialogue, over-the-top performances, or absurd situations.
Character Development – While the character development may be limited, there may still be moments where viewers see Wanda grow and change as she navigates the challenges of the underground world, providing some emotional resonance amidst the film’s flaws. Exploration of the Underground World – Scenes that showcase the imaginative and creative aspects of the underground civilization, such as its architecture, technology, and culture, may leave a lasting impression on viewers interested in speculative fiction. Climactic Moments – The film likely has climactic moments where key conflicts are resolved, secrets are revealed, and the fate of the characters hangs in the balance, providing some payoff for the audience despite the film’s shortcomings.
While “Alien from L.A.” may not be remembered as a cinematic masterpiece, these moments may still stand out for viewers who appreciate its quirky charm and nostalgic appeal.
Streaming Platforms
“Although ‘Alien from L.A.’ may not be readily available on popular streaming platforms due to its limited popularity and critical reception, viewers can explore options such as subscription services like Netflix or Hulu, digital rental or purchase on platforms like Google Play Movies or iTunes, specialized genre platforms such as Shudder or Midnight Pulp, free streaming platforms like Tubi or Pluto TV, and public library digital lending services to access the film, with availability subject to change over time and across regions.”
Subscription Streaming Services – Occasionally, older or niche films like “Alien from L.A.” may be available on subscription-based streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+. Renting or Purchasing – You might find the movie available for digital rental or purchase on platforms like Google Play Movies, YouTube Movies, iTunes, Vudu, or Amazon Prime Video. Specialized Genre Platforms – Some niche streaming services focusing on cult classics or older films may have “Alien from L.A.” available in their library. Platforms like Shudder or Midnight Pulp occasionally feature such titles. Free Streaming Platforms – While less common, you may find the movie available for free on ad-supported platforms like Tubi, Pluto TV, or IMDb TV. Library Services – Public libraries sometimes offer digital lending services where you can borrow movies online, including obscure titles like “Alien from L.A.”
Before subscribing or making any purchases, it’s advisable to check the current availability of the movie on these platforms, as licensing agreements and catalog rotations can vary over time and across regions.
