Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2011

Two geeky Brit fanboys (screenwriters Simon Pegg & Nick Frost) in the U.S. on a dream tour of sci-fi dork destinations encounter and shelter in their RV the potty-mouthed, party-animal title alien (voiced by Seth Rogen), an apparent escapee from Area 51 who just wants to phone home. Kristen Wiig appears as a religious romantic interest for Pegg whose creationist views are seriously challenged by all this. Sci-fi pop references abound, making this more of a fond homage than a straight spoof, and a winking, constant chuckle rather than a laugh-out-loud parody. Sweet, good-hearted fun.