Watch Project ALF
- NR
- 1996
- 1 hr 35 min
-
5.4 (3,046)
Project ALF is a 1996 science fiction comedy film that follows the story of ALF, an alien life form from the planet Melmac and the main character from the popular 80s television show of the same name. After managing to escape from the government facility where he was being held captive, ALF joins forces with a group of human friends to try and find a way to leave Earth and return to his home planet.
The movie opens with ALF (voiced by Paul Fusco) being kept in a top-secret government facility, where he is undergoing various tests and experiments by a team of scientists led by Dr. Warner (Miguel Ferrer). Meanwhile, a group of animal rights activists led by Dr. Rick Mullican (William O'Leary) manage to break into the facility to try and rescue a group of primates being used for research. In the chaos that follows, ALF manages to escape with the help of Mullican and his team, but his freedom is short-lived when he realizes that he has been implanted with a tracking device.
As ALF attempts to evade recapture by the government, he is discovered by a group of humans who are sympathetic to his plight. Among them are Mullican, his love interest Cindy (Jensen Daggett), and a disabled war veteran named Dexter Moyers (Martin Sheen). Together with ALF, they hatch a daring plan to steal a spacecraft from a nearby military base and use it to fly back to Melmac. The group faces a number of obstacles along the way, including a chase by the military and the interference of the treacherous Dr. Warner, who is intent on recapturing ALF at any cost.
Though Project ALF has a lighthearted tone and plenty of comedic moments, it also touches on some serious themes such as animal rights, disability activism, and the dangers of government surveillance. The film was well-received by audiences, who appreciated its nostalgic references to the earlier ALF television show while also updating the character for a new generation. While it may not have been a major box office success, Project ALF remains a cult favorite among sci-fi fans and fans of the popular character alike.
One reason for the enduring popularity of Project ALF is the charming performance of Paul Fusco as the titular character. Even though ALF is a puppet operated by hand, Fusco is able to imbue the character with a real sense of personality and humor, making him one of the most beloved figures in the world of science fiction. The supporting cast is also strong, with Miguel Ferrer bringing a sense of menace to his role as the villainous Dr. Warner, William O'Leary providing a good-natured foil as Dr. Mullican, and Jensen Daggett adding some romantic tension as Cindy.
Another factor that sets Project ALF apart from other sci-fi comedies is its inventive use of technology. From the spacecraft ALF and his friends use to escape Earth to the futuristic spy gadgets used by the government agents tasked with tracking them down, there are plenty of technological wizardry on display. However, the film also has a sense of playfulness with its use of technology, which keeps it from feeling too serious or grim. This balance between the serious and the silly is one of the things that makes Project ALF such a fun ride.
In conclusion, Project ALF is a fun and quirky sci-fi comedy that retains the charm and humor of the original television show while adding some new elements for a modern audience. With a strong cast, inventive use of technology, and plenty of laughs, it's a movie that is sure to delight fans of the genre and the character alike. While it may not be a classic of the genre, it's definitely worth checking out for anyone who wants to see ALF at his best.
Project ALF is a 1996 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.