Earth to Echo
Director: Dave Green
Talent: Astro, Teo Halm, Reese Hartwig, Ella Wahlestedt
Release Date: 25th July 2014
Three friends are being forced apart due to their town being demolished. For their last night together they decide to investigate a mysterious map plaguing their smart phones. At the designated spot they find an alien injured and in need of their help.
The problem for any discerning filmgoer will be just how indebted this movie is to previous titles. Not only does it take its main cinematic element from 2012’s Chronicle but it unashamedly mines JJ Abrams’ Super 8 for everything else. It seems that new director Dave Green is so focused on placing his movie into the coming-of-age adventure canon that he has lost sight of everything else. The affected found footage format and the time-wasting story are reason alone why this film isn’t, and was never going to be, as good as those it apes. There are moments with heart, and the kids give it a shot, but they’re drowned out by the relentless groan of old Hollywood cogs trying to churn out a hit.
Words: Eoghain Meakin
