Phil the Alien (2004) Online

PHIL THE ALIEN is a hilarious Canadian comedy about an alien that crash lands on Earth, gets drunk, befriends a talking beaver, joins a band, becomes the messiah, is hunted by assassins in pimpin' fur coats, and goes on a killing spree. If you need more of a reason to see this, something is wrong with you.

Rob Stefaniuk is insanely funny as Phil. In fact, the whole cast works great in this film. Which is pretty rare.

My only gripe is that it looks like a Canadian film. By that I mean that it could have been shot on equipment someone found in Grandpa's den, and mom washed the film that that the director left in his good pants. Ignoring that, which was easy enough, I'd say see this movie as soon as possible. (8/10)

I saw a preview for this movie, and it looked hilarious. It was not, but it was good, slightly sweet, fairly funny, and worth watching.

This is a quirky Canadian film, so if you do not understand or like Canadian humor, then you likely will not like this film. (Canadian humor is 50% Monty Python, 10% American slapstick and 40% self mocking).

The "special effects".... I am stretching that word to its limits... are fine for the style of movie.

The acting is very strong and really fun to watch, not a single weak link.

The scrip Idea is fun, the writing,not brilliant, but amusing, and the cast pull it off well.

I recommend this comedy for some feel good light laughs.

The best of Canadian cinema offers a uniquely demented vision of the world - think the films of David Cronenberg and Atom Egoyan. The worst of Canadian cinema usually stars Matthew Ferguson or Lothaire Bluteau. There is no doubt that Rob Stefaniuk's wonderfully original and hugely entertaining Phil the Alien well and truly belongs in the former category.

Phil the Alien is a film that could have gone incredibly wrong. It takes a truck load of gumption and panache to pull off a movie about a shape-changing alien who crash lands on earth, becomes an alcoholic and joins a Christian rock band. Not to mention a film that includes a subplot about a talking beaver, colour coded alien assassins and a child/whore love story. Somehow the film works and manages to be not only hilarious but also surprisingly insightful and sweet natured.

I'm not sure why Will Ferrell is allowed to ruin every comedy produced in North America by his sheer presence, while Rob Stefaniuk remains in relative obscurity. This guy makes Jim Carrey look about as funny as Tom Arnold, and unlike the majority of his colleagues in the comedy world, he can actually act. The supporting cast are all great and the film really profits from their consistently strong performances.

Phil the Alien is the kind of movie you will either love or hate. I obviously loved just about everything about it, from the cool puppetry (Rob Stefaniuk, take another bow) to the old school special effects and even the band's crappy music. I kept expecting the joke to wear thin but it never did. Phil the Alien is unlike any of the dire comedies that have been excreted from the bowels of Hollywood in recent years. For that reason alone, it deserves to be praised and admired by the largest possible audience.

No matter what you think of this film, positive or negative, you can't honestly say you've seen anything like it. For that reason alone, I would recommend watching this film. How many major motion pictures released worldwide can actually bear that distinction? There are both amusing plot twists as well as likable characters. So okay, the film is obviously low budgeted and the musical interludes are a little jarring. The music itself is fine and the low budget special effects are kind of its' charm. It's all still pretty funny with decent performances. The only warning I would give is the film's humor is mostly of the "so strange it's funny" variety, which is personally my favourite but may reason for some of the negative reactions posted here.

I started watching this movie thinking it might be a little funny but worth a try. I ended up thinking this was one of the funniest movies I've ever seen.Some parts reminded me a bit of Austin Powers type movie but a lot funnier. Very quirky - the beaver is great. I've watched it twice already and it is one I think I will have to be purchasing. I have to admit I usually don't like low budget films especially comedies but Phil has changed all that. I'm hoping for more movies to come from this director/writer/actor and maybe more Canadians will start enjoying Canadian films. Anyway, I would encourage anyone to give Phil the Alien a try and if you're not a complete stick in the mud you'll like it.

I must admit that Canadians have never been to successful in creating amazing movies... but Phil the Alien is a hilarious movie. It's a bit corny at times, and has weak special effects but overall i liked it. The main character(also the director and writer)is an excellent actor, and he knows how to make an audience laugh, which is the whole point of this movie. This movie may have dull moments at times but the humor is irresistible, and i believe that this movie deserves an award for it's excellence unlike other comedies that are high budget movies and do nothing but waste your time (hate to mention titles but it has to be done, Scary Movie 3 & 4)The whole cast is brilliant, you can tell that they have chemistry because of the wonderful job they do together. And even though there's a lot of swearing and "dirty" words being used throughout the whole movie, it's still very amusing; which is a warning for people who don't enjoy movies with foul language and unappropriated actions or violence. But don't get me wrong if you don't mind those things, then you need to watch this movie because it's one of a kind, truly one of a kind.

Future cult classic, low budget geniusness straight out of Canada. Stefaniuk is a proud man. This film is a delightful romp through the pristine wilderness of Ontario's remote northern locales. Blows "Aliens on Earth" films like MIB sky-high, showing yet again that exorbitant spending, weak special effects and lame dialog do not a glorious movie make. This movie is outrageously funny, and consistently so. Never once do you feel tired or bored throughout viewing, which by the way it stands up to several, unlike a vast majority of recent films. Writer/Director/Alien Stefaniuk elicits stunning performances from all of his great cast. There is nothing not to like about this film. I recommend it all costs. Easily a 5-star feature, deserves wider recognition. I truly believe Stefaniuk is a huge talent and will carve out an enviable legacy of film-making beauty.

The plot setup is excellent -- an alien crash lands on earth in a backwater town, quickly becomes an alcoholic, makes some friends, joins a band. The US government secret agent assigned to eliminate the alien is also an alcoholic, but goes sober when he's "reactivated" to kill Phil. Since Phil is in the bar, the secret agent can't find him.

Meanwhile, Phil moves in with a talking beaver, discovers Jesus, and goes on tour. Phil doesn't think that shape shifting or telekinesis are cool, but the Canadians he runs across beg to differ.

Graham Greene is excellent as the bartender, and writer/director Rob Stafaniuk makes a good alcoholic alien. The best acted character, though, is the kid.

The Canadian Stereotypes are very amusing, Canadians should love this film. The jokes just keep coming, some of them are overstated, others are subtle and understated, but I never stopped laughing. At the end look forward to the "kill me" alien.

Great 420 fare. One of the better low budget movies I've seen. They're not TRYING to make some cinematic tour-DE-force...oh you too serious detractors in comments above. It's supposed to be cheesy and silly. They're just goofing off and it totally works for a fun movie. The performances are good, purposefully cliché, and I actually think it's shot beautifully. Some of the landscape shots are especially gorgeous. I say check it out. Cause crap like Memoirs of a Geisha and King Kong suck. At least this movie will entertain you.

wow ten lines. what is this, school? okay, hmmmm. i also recommend these films that are funny: uncle buck, orange county, rushmore and kindergarten cop.

It's a good film, and despite other reviewers stating that it "looked like a Canadian film" - it wasn't all that bad. We're not talking Beachcombers bad, we're talking "rather than buy props for one scene, the crew bought beer." The latex prop aliens and the CGI aren't all that bad. It's not huge on production values, but it's funny, and it has a TALKING BEAVER who can shoot a rifle; That alone is reason to see this. The loyalty scene with the puppies; the evil genius with the pet whales rather than the pet cat you'd be more likely to see in the hands of more serious evil geniuses; the Kill Me! alien in the glass bubble; what more could you want? Hell, there's even underage drinking and sex. It's quite possibly the perfect movie.

Saw this film today after hearing the buzz from last year's Toronto International Film Festival. It was supposed to open two weeks ago but was held-up for reasons unknown. Anyway, the reviews were generally good and, being a died-in-the-wool Canadian film fan, I checked it out. Time well spent all-in-all. The secret American base beneath Niagara Falls was a hoot. Hello Marineland! :) A note for anyone expecting a blow-your-mind effects budget; fergeddit! However, the film takes its low-budget conceit to heart and makes the most of it. It was clearly shot on tape and the up-convert to 35mm doesn't always hold up all that well in daylight scenes which (by and large) are few and far between. Gregor Hagey's cinematography was well done and the pace of Warren Sonoda's editing compliments the deadpan comedy well. BTW, nice to catch Dwayne Hill and Mike Beaver in this as well.

I'd say see it first-run if you can but if you can't, when it's set to come out on DVD, make a clamour for it at your local video store (Blockbuster, Rogers, whatever) so that it gets more than the usual token copy hidden away.

Nice work guys. Keep it up!

Phil the Alien is one of those quirky films where the humour is based around the oddness of everything rather than actual punchlines.

At first it was very odd and pretty funny but as the movie progressed I didn't find the jokes or oddness funny anymore.

Its a low budget film (thats never a problem in itself), there were some pretty interesting characters, but eventually I just lost interest.

I imagine this film would appeal to a stoner who is currently partaking.

For something similar but better try "Brother from another planet"

I've just watched Suck, also by Rob Stefaniuk, and loved it tremendously, so I had to also see Phil the Alien. While it is not so good as Suck, this movie is funnier, with the same weird feel to it that made me like both films.

The plot is really irrelevant, even if it is truly original and full of good humour. The acting is good with some actors, rather bland with others, but the overall quality is good. We see some common Stefaniuk themes like the hopeless rock band or Nicole de Boer, who has an important role in this film.

Bottom line: a funny comedy for a change, full of Canadians and with a brilliant script. It is not a masterpiece, but it is better than most films I've seen. Way to go, Rob!

the guy who wrote, directed and stared in this shocking piece of trash should really consider a carer change. Yes Rob Stefaniuk, i mean you! Seriously, who funded this crap? there are so many talented writers out there whom money could be better spent on. I think the idea is great but the acting, script and directing is just plain awful! The jokes are so not funny, I understand that they are supposed to be taking the mickey. BUT do it with style, this movie is screaming 1995 Saturday night live skits. Why, I say again why do studios give money to hacks like Rob Stefaniuk - NEVER GIVE A COMEDIAN THE Opportunity TO WRITE DIRECT AND STAR IN HIS OWN MOVIE. DUH!

Homesick, alcoholic, shape-shifting, telekinetic nervous humanoid alien Phil just wants to go back to his own planet after crashlanding his spaceship on our strange and hostile world. While stranded on Earth Phil has many bizarre adventures which include befriending an astute, sympathetic talking beaver (delightfully voiced by "SCTV" series vet Joe Flaherty), forming a Christian rock band (Phil levitates while singing on stage), and eluding several nefarious government agents wearing plush fur coats who want to use Phil for evil means.

As the above plot synopsis implies, what we got here is one marvelously funny, eccentric and wholly original one-of-a-kind sci-fi comic oddity. Writer/director/star Rob Stefaniuk displays a singularly engaging and idiosyncratic tongue-in-cheek sensibility that's a true wacky treat to behold. The humor is extremely flaky and off-center, but totally inspired and often sidesplitting. Moreover, Phil makes for a peculiarly endearing fish-out-of-water protagonist who has a certain sweet innocence and clumsiness to him that's impossible to dislike. The uniformly excellent performances from the terrific cast qualifies as another substantial plus, with especially winning turns by Boyd Banks as a macho redneck hunter, Nicole de Boer as an icy, but alluring freelance hit lady, Graham Greene as a gruff, unfriendly bartender, and Bruce Hunter as a boozy, burnt-out bumbling special agent. The nifty special effects, John Kastner's funky score, D. Gregor Hagey's bright, crisp cinematography, and the groovy jammin' rock soundtrack further enhance the infectiously zany merriment of this fabulously flipped-out gem.

Rob Stefaniuk is my new Hero.... The Writing... The Direction.... And one of the most memorable Comic Performances I've ever seen.

This film gets funnier with every viewing. Everyone who sees it seems to agree--This is one of the funniest freakin' films to come out of any Country on any Budget.

His writing is brilliant- those of us who've crash-landed in strange new places, who've spent many an afternoon drinking with the band in nondescript Canadian Taverns, will all agree....this is a timeless story told with the courageous heart & tender insight of a master storyteller.

This film will live forever.

This is my most favorite film of all time and I know that is a big call. What I most enjoy is that when Phil first lands he is a blank piece of paper and as the story progresses he just mimics those around him and then becomes part of their friendship circle. This is a great truism of modern life and a replication of how babies learn. What we also see is how the modern world starts to affect Phil in a number of ways, particularly in the negative sense with his growing addiction to alcohol which he calls medicine and also cigarettes and religion. His religious addition is the funniest scene in the film when he returns to see his friends at the bar in the guise of Jesus.

Phil the Alien crashes to Earth and find himself alone in the wilds of northern Canada. In the process of going home he goes from drunk to Christian rock singer to mass murder.

This is one wild and crazy movie. And so Canadian.BTW why do Canadians always have to tell you they are from Canada?

Anyway, it's such a strange and bizarre movie. It definitely wears thin here and there but stick with it. It's funny. Phil is funny as all hell. He quickly becomes an alkie while special ops activates a drunk agent to kill him.

Phil the Alien gets introduced and he's even funnier.

Meanwhile Phil goes to jail and gets saved by Jesus.

OMG! This film is too weird. The talking beaver provide counsel. It's over the top nuts! I loved it

I was watching this low budget Canadian Movie Phil the Alien. This movie deals with an alien that crash lands in Northern Ontario. He ends up becoming friends with a talking beaver. This causes some funny stuff to happen. In one scene the one guy says "Listen Phil He's a Beaver." Phil Says "He's My Friend OK!" In this movie Phil goes from drunk to being in a Christian rock band to a mass murderer.

There is some strange stuff in this movie that is really funny. There is one scene where Phil needs a cigarette. He keeps yelling demanding a cigarette. He eventually gets arrested for assaulting a cigarette vending machine. Most of the time this movie is pretty funny. There are parts where this movie is slow. The theme song they use "Phil The Alien" keeps getting stuck in my head. There is something enchanting about that song. I can't get over the strange alien sounds Phil makes in this movie. I really enjoyed this movie.

Well this film has certainly had a fair amount of hype; From the buzz at the Toronto Film Festival to gushing reviews on CBC Radio. A refreshing, wacky, hilarious indie movie apparently. I'd been looking forward to it for months.

How can I put it this simply? It sucked in a very big way. An exercise in cinematic lameness that makes Adam Sandler look like a comic genius.

At best it was mildly amusing and at worst coma inducing. An amerterish script badly directed and shoddily edited into a ramshackle mess.

And what was with the music being 500db louder than the rest of the sound track? That was about the only truly odd thing about it.

If you want to see a genuinely funny, bizarre movie involving aliens then try Repoman. There is no comparison!

I saw this movie on the shelf at my local video store & it looked like a good choice for a "sit back & watch a silly comedy" rental. The movie starts off pretty good & some of the dialogue is pretty funny. But I noticed two things right off the back. #1: The music in the movie is so much louder than the dialogue, that I was constantly raising & lowering my volume. It was either "blow out my speakers" loud, or "mumble mumble" low. So, this was annoying. #2: The guy that played Phil was terrible. He's like Jaimie Kennedy without the talent. I see he was not only the main actor, but also writer & director. Which usually doesn't work to begin with. Like I said, I thought some of the dialogue was good & the directing was alright. If he had hired someone else to play Phil, it may have turned out a little better. It's a shame because most of the supporting actors stand out more than Phil. In fact, throw out the whole alien part of the story & it may have been a great movie. Well, that & the sound problems.

As a plus though, the chick that played Ezri Dax on Deep Space Nine is in the film & she looks NICE!

After putting myself through this movie, I've asked what is this all about? Well I don;t know how to describe this movie, but I've came to one conclusion "Phil the alien" is gay. And this movie sheds an interesting light at how can one fit into a new environment without trying to put to many heads outta place.

This is the only thing I could truly think of as an overall plot for the movie. Expect for some rather qwerky moments I wouldn't rate this movie highly at all those, most will disagree. This biggest let down is how the movie keeps cutting in n out with scenes, specially a lot that meant nothing to the overall movie. The music also was annoying after a while, that was louder than anythin else so my guess this is a student type of film who are trying also to promote a band.

At the end of the day I feel more attention to this movie as whole, more thinking could of made a more of meaninful movie.

This movie has got to be one of the worst I have ever seen make it to DVD!!! The story line might have clicked if the film had more funding and writers that would have cut the nonsense and sickly scenes that I highly caution parents on.... But the story line is like a loose cannon. If there was such a thing as a drive thru movie maker-this one would have sprung from that.It reminded me a lot of the quickie films that were put out in the 1960's, poor script writing and filming.

The only sensible characters in the whole movie was the bartender and beaver. The rest of the film, could have easily been made by middle school children. I give this film a rating of 1 as it is truly awful and left my entire family with a sense of being cheated. My advice-Don't Watch It!!!

Although it got some favorable press after playing at the Toronto Intl. Film Festival, there were a number of reasons not to expect too much from this. One -- it's an ultra-low budget Canadian film. Two -- it's written, directed and starring the same person (usually a bad sign, unless it's Woody Allen, George Clooney or one or two other respected filmmakers). But despite my watching it with lowered expectations, it still turned out to a far bigger disappointment than I thought possible.

In a nutshell -- bad script, bad acting, terrible directing! Don't waste your time or money on this turkey. It claims to be a comedy, but I only laughed twice. Plus, there is awful music blaring throughout. How this got any attention I'll never know.

This is a typical Canadian indy film. It's cheap. Real cheap. It has some humor, which is the only redeeming feature.

Appearance: Most movies try to look good. This film doesn't even try. The actors almost all look terrible. They don't even try to look good. They must be wearing "ugly" make-up. The setting (Canadian wilderness) had beautiful potential, but they chose to not have a single appealing "nature shot". Here's a free tip for all low-budget Canadian films: There's one really stunningly beautiful thing that you can put in your film, which costs nothing, it's called the Canadian Outdoors. Movies that don't want to look good, do not belong on film; they belong on VHS.

Action: boraramma. Not much happens. Not much suspense. Now I can accept low-action when a film when it tries to avoid violence to be "family safe". But, this film has the odd distinction of having a few scenes of ultra-violence with virtually no action. Remember how A-Team had continuous action for the whole show, but nobody got a scratch on them. This is the *exact* opposite.

Sex: This film has just enough implied sex to be gross (like an underage boy sees a hooker and falls in love, yuk). There are some other tasteless sexual references. Yet, there is of course absolutely nothing "sexy" about this film.

Continuity: Now it's accepted that a film like this (aliens) can never be fully logical. But, without spoiling anything, it tosses a plot twist or two that just doesn't get set-up properly. Don't watch this for the story.

Special Effects: If you don't have a budget, don't do effects. The talking beaver was pathetic. The puppet/thing they had was so bad, that a real beaver, with no lip-syncing, would have done a better job. Now some people might excuse the film, by saying that's the "style" they were going for. But that doesn't fit with the rest of the film. I was really surprised to see the full list of credits at the end of the film. They put a lot into this film, but the beaver was junk.

Humor: some good jokes. That's all this film has.

I paid only six bucks to see this film. It's worth that, no more, no less.