Phil the Alien

Comedy is incredibly subjective, which is why it’s easy to enough to imagine certain audience members howling at the many jokes in Phil the Alien. Though I laughed only once (at a bit involving puppies and a cheese grater), writer/director/star Rob Stefaniuk imbues the movie with enough spunk and energy that it never becomes an all-out bore. Stefaniuk plays Phil, a shape-shifting alien who arrives on Earth and immediately takes human form. Hot on his tail is a washed-out agent looking to redeem himself by capturing Phil, a mission exacerbated by the fact that Phil has convinced several Canadians that he’s the Messiah. Stefaniuk’s screenplay often places the emphasis on broad, obvious jokes – a choice that’ll undoubtly divide audiences (leaving some to stare blankly at the screen, and others to laugh hysterically). The Canadian references come fast and furious, while the film’s cast consists of one familiar face after another. And though the movie is essentially instantly forgettable, it’s hard not to get a kick out of Joe Flaherty’s voiceover work as a sarcastic beaver (no, really).

** out of ****