Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Lifeform’

Written by Scott Edwards

Keeping a mistake, secret, certainly has its consequences, especially when it comes to mistakes in our jobs. We want our bosses to think highly of us but know that an incredible screw up could cost us more than we could ever imagine. While most people do their best to make sure that they pay great attention to detail in what they do, sometimes mistakes happen and we either have the choice of owning up to it and being good about open communication, or keeping it quiet, allowing for everything to get out of hand. 

The Viking Lander arrives on earth from its mission on Mars, but no one expected it to return. A team of NASA scientists are called in to investigate the strange arrival and are left more baffled than before. The original Viking build consisted of six overall landers and only five have been accounted for since its inception. This was the craft that went missing and the team of scientists need to figure out if it was actually sent into space and by whom?

Doctor Case Montgomery and Doctor Gracia Scott are leading the investigation on the mysterious craft and trying to figure out if there is anything out of place on it. Being helped by Michael Perkett, a NASA tech, they find that there has been a modification made to the craft that was not part of the original build. A pod has been added to lander. It seems sturdy enough that the team does not pay any additional attention to it as the craft starts to snap pictures of its surroundings. Since the craft still appears to be functional and the computer operational, the team decides to try to download flight files, but when plugged in, the craft tries to reverse the download and compromises NASA’s files.

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Although the group does not see any real problems with this, the military is called in to take control of the project. When trying to keep the new threat out of the mainframe, the group sees that the new pod is starting to expand and contract as if it is giving birth. Before they can call for help, a creature emerges from the craft, ready to wreak havoc on the facility. Not knowing what is happening inside of the laboratory, the military cuts down the door to gain access to the lander but finds that they have released the creature into the main building. Not knowing what they are looking for, both groups band together to find out what, if any threat they are up against.

Lifeform follows two scientists that are looking for the truth of what their newly arrived Viking Lander has brought them. When they refuse to share what they find with their higher ups, the military is called in to take control of the investigation. Not expecting anything out of the ordinary, the military group is faced with tracking down the E.T. that is running around the NASA facility. Facing an unknown foe, they find that this alien is going to be more than a problem as select items are rummaged from their fallen. With an Extra Terrestrial on the loose, both the scientist and military groups have to work together to locate the alien, along with find out what it is really on Earth to do.

This is a science fiction/horror/thriller flick that will keep you on your toes for sure with no ‘buts’ about it. Having a missing craft return to the planet after it had not been accounted for years before is just scary. If millions of dollars are put down to build a series of spacecraft and they are all in space, that's one thing, but having one go missing and then have it return from somewhere else can just make your skin crawl. Although this was a movie from the 80’s, it still speaks to what is going on today with all of the political controversy that is happening these days with the distrust between everyone, the lack of communication and well...simply owning up to the fact that somebody screwed up, which is surprising to find in a flick such as this. Some things never change and that might be the message that this film delivered, so many years ago. Stay Scared!

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