Occupation (2/5)

Occupation is definitely impressive in terms of visual style. Unfortunately, the storyline feels extremely rushed at times, which is such a let-down for this Australian Sci-Fi movie. Out on Netflix now!

Occupation has a really good trailer, which should be enough to lure you in. Also, it’s an Australian production and how often do you get to watch Sci-Fi made in Australia.

Usually, any kind of alien invasion tends to be showed as taking place in the US or UK.

I tend to really like Australian productions – from TV shows to horror movies or indie comedies. That’s why I was really looking forward to Occupation and I really wanted to like it. I’m sorry to say that I simply couldn’t and didn’t.

Could have been a TV series

Around 30 minutes into Occupation there’s a montage of sorts. It’s meant to show the passing of time, but it feels extremely rushed. We’re still getting to know the characters and would rather enjoy actual scenes than weird montages.

Basically, the weird “we’re getting ready to fight back” sequence felt rushed and out of place. Or rather, it feels like the trailer for an entire season of a TV series.

So much was shown without any actual heart or nerve. Suddenly it’s several months later, but everyone somehow has the exact same look.  It’s just ridiculous. At least grow the beard or hair out a bit more. For women, you may not notice it much – though eyebrows remain on point and no body-hair is in sight. Of course.

At this point, it becomes all too clear that while Occupation is nice to look at, this is also [close to] the only thing it has going for it. You can’t introduce that many characters and expect the audience to get involved so damn quickly.

Almost feels like a spoof

I’m actually really sorry that Occupation was such a letdown. However, the movie seriously felt like a spoof at times.

Not only could you guess which – ridiculously stereotypical, I might add – one-liners were about to be said. You could also guess entire plotlines way in advance.

You know who will die and that some women will become tough. But, of course, they will also still be very much lady-like when the time calls for it.

Yet, when a woman is about to give birth, three men are there to “help” her. Plenty of women are around and you cannot tell me, that the women wouldn’t rush to help. Also, you can’t convince me that men (most of which had no kids of their own) wouldn’t be getting some women to help out asap. Also, the woman was a nurse herself, but that fact wasn’t relevant apparently.

Not that any of this mattered, since the main focus was on finding the father, so he could be there. I mean, what the actual f*ck?! This was supposed to be a sci-fi apocalyptic action thriller and not some corny romance story.

Just watch a good sci-fi show instead

Again, I hate to hate on something that clearly has a lot to say. Especially about working together and being part of something greater than oneself. However, Occupation turned out to be extremely corny and predictable.

At times, it felt like we were simply watching an Aussie version of The 100. Not in terms of the actual storyline with an alien invasion, but rather regarding the romance plots and “good guys” versus “bad guys”.

I hope Occupation will find an audience that sees everything I don’t. And since a sequel has already been greenlit, I’m sure there is. I just have to accept that this one was not my cup of tea. At all. The two stars (or blood splatters) are for the visual effects, production value and good performances from the actors. It’s not their fault that they have to speak and act out this strange script.

Again, as a TV series, the story in Occupation would’ve had time to develop the characters better, but as it stands, I was just disappointed.

Occupation will be out in theaters, VOD and Digital HD July 20, 2018. Occupation was also added to Netflix in U.S. and Canada on January 3, 2019.

Details

Director: Luke Sparke
Writer: Luke Sparke
Cast: Dan Ewing, Temuera Morrison, Stephany Jacobsen, Rhiannon Fish, Zachary Garred, Izzy Stevens, Charles Terrier, Charles Mesure, Trystan Go, Felix Williamson, Jacqueline McKenzie, Aaron Jeffery, and Bruce Spence.

Plot

A town is suddenly plunged into darkness. In the sky, a fleet of spaceships appears. The aliens have been watching Earth for centuries; now they have arrived to seize control of our planet. As alien storm troopers cut a deadly swath through the countryside, a ragtag group of townspeople realize they must band together for a chance to strike back at the invaders.