Austin Film Festival Movie Review: ‘Invaders from Proxima B’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Ward Roberts and Bo Roberts as Chuck and Ruby Jankins in WARD ROBERTS’ INVADERS FROM PROXIMA B.

The science fiction feature has gone through some incredible changes throughout its illustrious history. For its humble beginnings were nothing short of curiosity about what could be and what man could achieve, since they pondered upon our future amongst the stars and what that might look like. And that gave way to stories that reflected the wonder of the atomic age, and the possible horrors and wonders that could come from that, in the most fun ways imaginable, before a titanic shift took place in the genre. Wherein, those early musings and the realities of science combined to bring about new and epic stories. The kind that now offered a realistic look at our future amongst the stars, and our role in shaping the future of the galaxy, and that made science fiction quite serious. 
​
In fact, there was a period of time where the genuinely light-hearted nature of the genre all but disappeared. But eventually, it returned in new forms and science fiction now works to offer balance to pay respect to its past while looking toward our future. But there are some creatives out there… who want more from the genre and believe that it is at a point where it can go back to its wackier roots and inject a real sense fun into the genre once again, and it just so happens that a film in that vein recently screened at the Austin Film Festival. For Invaders from Proxima B really is that classic throwback feature, that harkens back to the goofier era of the genre, courtesy of a magnificently fun plot.

For this particular tale introduces us to the Jankins family, who are doing their best to get by and carve out their own slice of joy in the world, but that isn’t always an easy task. For Howie, the father of the family, works on the road often to keep his family afloat and longs for more time at home but isn’t sure how to get it. For he knows his daughter, Ruby, won’t be small forever and soon memories will be hard to make. Not to mention, he needs more time around his wife, Jane, but alas… this is life for them. And the world really doesn’t seem willing to give them a break and help them find direction to have what they want and need. But the universe, well it sometimes steps in to help and it brings opportunity in the form of a wild and sassy alien named Chuck. Who has come to Earth on quite the mission, one that he needs help with via the Jankins, and one so important, it will offer them the positive change they seek, should they choose to help him. 

---

Which really is… an old school sci-fi plot. For there was an era, mostly the 80s and 90s, where aliens were sassy and silly and came to Earth to just let loose and have fun. Which offered up mixed results to say the least, but good or bad, those films were indeed memorable for offering something different than grandiose voyages through the stars, but they truly did disappear from the landscape. But writer/director/star Ward Roberts obviously wanted to change that and what he has brought to life, is quite delightful in nature. Because he has successfully resurrected those memorable films but avoided the pratfalls’ they encountered to bring forth a magnificently fun sci-fi feature. One grounded in adventure and filled to the brim with delightful and dynamic characters.
​
In fact, it is the characters and their journeys that really allow for this film to shine. Because it makes all of them relatable and important to us. To the point where we want to see Howie and his family find what they want, and even the supporting characters they encounter, have amazing depth and desires. Which just adds wonderful layers to this film, and the heart that it requires to be successful. In fact, it is the underlying commentary about family life and love that really makes this movie quite magical. Because it has a lot to say about making sure we prioritize what matters most in this life, and that we should go the extra mile to have it and be near it. Especially when it comes to family and the people we love. Since they are a true gift that we must cherish dearly since life is so short, and so precious. 

But while it is nice to enjoy a touch of nostalgia and some heartwarming lessons, make no mistake about it… this is a comedy at heart. After all, the alien in question is named Chuck, and he’s sassy and he’s hilarious. And the shenanigans that he gets himself and this family into are just a real treat, and the jokes that come forth during those shenanigans work and absolutely leave you laughing aloud, and well, all of these elements make for a movie that you absolutely need to see. Simply because it’s a lot of fun, and it’s full of laughs and silly moments, and some great messages about the wonder of the world, and that really is a wonderful thing. Because this movie is exactly what an angry and divided world needs right now.

---