Occupation Review: Get ready for a rollercoaster ride
Occupation is a science fiction film, directed and written by Luke Sparke. It premiered in Australia and New Zealand back in July, 2018. Starring Dan Ewing, Temuera Morrison, Rhiannon Fish, Stephanie Jacobsen and Zachary Garred.
Synopsis
The earth is haunted by an alien species, that comes up with futuristic armor and gray, repulsive bodies. Since their own planet is no longer habitable, the aliens now need a new home. They do think, that the earth is the right place for them. A group of human survivors rallies in a small Australian province trying to find a common solution to the invasion. Sadly, it’s not so easy for the thrown together bunch of people. However, they not only have to deal with the aliens, but also have to come to terms with themselves first.
In our obsession with antagonisms of the moment, we often forget how much unites all the members of humanity. Perhaps we need some outside universal threat to make us recognize this common bond.
I feel like these lines at the very beginning of the movie are, for some reason, the best introduction to get the right mindset immediately. In general, this little speech is very thought-provoking. However, it’s not just thought-provoking, but also a little summary about what’s about to happen in the next two hours during the movie. Hatred. Solidarity. Prejudices. Fight.
Solidarity
There are a couple of different family stories and you’re getting a small insight into their life and how they’re like as individual human beings. Nevertheless, there are not just families, but also some outstanding individual characters. It’s a little bit rough at first, when they’re all being thrown together. Each individual has to deal with their own problems and don’t want to be part of a group. It’s a difficult situation for everyone. They need to start trusting each other, which isn’t that easy at the very beginning. Some of them want to fight the aliens and the other ones just want to drive as far away as possible.
Sooner or later they find out that splitting up isn’t their best option. They do need each other. Each individual of the group is important somehow. They all have their strengths and even more important: They have each other’s back. At least most of the times. They learn to appreciate each other and what they have right now. And they all have one common goal, which is defeating the aliens and get their own planet back as fast as possible.
Action
While watching these different action scenes, you might even forget, that this whole thing is a low budget movie. There’s so much going on. I mean: helicopters, military, different weapons, physical talent and a lot more. Those scenes had me under some kind of spell, for sure. It feels like a rollercoaster ride watching this. You can’t look away for a second, because then there’s already something else going on. You don’t wanna miss out, promise.
Aliens
Humans. You cling to a planet you insist on destroying.
Obviously it’s not the perfect start, when you make an entrance into a new world by killing people and taking hostages. However, these intruders just want a place to live and be happy again. Their old planet is gone, so they need a new one. For them the earth seemed like a perfect place. They may be looking pretty evil and scary with their guns and appearance in general, but deep down some of them have a soft core. They want to cooperate with the humans to defeat the evil ones.
Final review
If you enjoy watching movies like Independence Day, then you should definitely check this out. Individual performances are amazing and you get attached to certain characters sooner or later. There are not just some big names like Temuera Morrison (The Mandalorian), but also some unknown actors smashing it in this one.
It’s definitely a rollercoaster ride, so you should prepare yourself before watching this. From crying to biting your nails down because of the excitement, this movie got it all. Luke Sparke did a great job writing and directing this low budget Australian sci-fi movie.
That’s not all!
Would you like the chance to own your very own copy of Occupation? Well we are giving away a copy to one lucky winner. To be in with a chance of winning your choice of Blu-Ray or DVD head over to our twitter, follow us, retweet the pinned tweet and tag a friend who you think would be interested in the movie. You have until January 28th 2021 to enter.
Also some more good news: The sequel “Occupation: Rainfall” will be in Australian cinemas January 28, 2021.
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