Set in Australia, this film opens up with an introduction to multiple characters. Some could say it’s the typical kind of character for an alien film-the family man trying to get his life back and reconnect with his family. The rebellious football captain, the young couple who discover they are having a baby, and the list go on.
As the town comes together to celebrate the town’s football finals, the town is attacked by strange space ships from the sky, which shoot blasters at people. Aliens begin to land on the ground, causing many deaths and capturing innocent humans as prisoners. Thankfully, the group we have been introduced to from the start of the film escape and become grouped. Together they must fight for survival.
The best way to describe Occupation is by stating it’s like Red Dawn combined with War of the Worlds but set in Australia. Occupation has been completed with a small budget and feels like a B-grade film. The film’s release was rather small within cinemas across Australia. It surprised me considering the film managed to secure many well known Australian actors, including Temuera Morrison (Once Were Warriors).
The film’s dialogue and the pacing feel incredibly rushed from our opening introduction and doesn’t even sound like real conversations. As far as pacing is concerned, it’s a mess throughout the film’s duration. The film scenes can also feel disjointed, odd or out of place rather than following each other and telling the simple story. The music score is over the top considering the film’s tone and could almost be compared with Star Wars or The Dark Knight.
With these factors (I’ll be honest here), by the halfway mark of 58mins in, I considered checking out from this film as I felt my time investment in this film wasn’t gaining any true benefit as a movie lover. For the sake of my Finesse fans, I pushed through it. Thankfully the most substantial element of the film was the third and final act.
I can honestly appreciate the effort that has gone into this film, particularly from the director Luke Sparke who had previously directed the Australian film Red Billabong. I love how Luke Sparke continues to take his films to the next level as a director. The reality is, this is a great journey, and I believe more significant things are yet to come shortly.
Overall, Occupation is just not my type of Australian film. But, I can be thankful for the work and effort that has gone into it, considering the film’s small budget compared to the insane Hollywood movies out there today. The film’s pacing feels messy and unclean, but it’s brainless entertainment which could be enjoyed depending on the type of viewer. For me, it was a tough watch to complete, and I feel it could have been a more significant film if it was finished with a shorter run time or made into a short film instead.
1.4/10
17th August 2018
Written by Peter Walkden
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