Aliens in the Attic

While Ashley Tisdale of High School Musical fame doesn't do much in this bland sci-fi film, she's undoubtedly the primary audience draw. But the plot actually revolves around teenage science nerd, Tom Pearson (Carter Jenkins), a “mathlete” who deliberately gets bad grades in school in order to be cool. Vacationing with his family in rural Michigan, Tom is dispatched to troubleshoot a faulty satellite TV system, and discovers that the top floor of their rented three-story house has been commandeered by tiny, green, troll-like extraterrestrials…an advance party for an upcoming alien invasion (the invaders--voiced by J.K. Simmons, Thomas Haden Church, Kari Wahlgren, and Josh Peck--bear a not-so-coincidental resemblance to Joe Dante's Gremlins critters). Determined to defend Earth, Tom launches a children's crusade that includes his adorable seven-year-old sister Hannah (Ashley Boettcher), their smart-aleck cousin Jake (Austin Butler), videogame-obsessed twins Art and Lee (Henri and Regan Young) and bikini-clad Bethany (Tisdale). Meanwhile, adults such as Tom's parents (Kevin Nealon, Gillian Vigman), Nana Rose (Doris Roberts), Uncle Nate (Andy Richter), Bethany's boyfriend (Robert Hoffman), and the local sheriff (Tim Meadows) remain characteristically clueless about the planet's imminent peril. A so-so kids-to-the-rescue special-effects adventure that touches on the theme of emotional alienation, director John Schultz's Aliens in the Attic is an optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include an intro by costar Ashley Tisdale, the Fox Movie Channel-produced segment “Life After Film School” with producer Barry Josephson (28 min.), a “Lights, Camera, Aliens!” featurette (10 min.), “The Ashley Encounters” segment with Tisdale (4 min.), a “Behind the Zirkonians” animated short (16 min.), deleted scenes (4 min.), an alternate ending (3 min.), a gag reel (5 min.), a “Kung Fu Grandma” spoof commercial (2 min.), and the music video “Electricity” performed by Brian Anthony. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a bonus digital copy of the film. Bottom line: a decent extras package for an unremarkable family film.] (S. Granger)