Aliens have invaded the earth!

Do they want to probe us?

No.

Do they wan to steal our resources?

No.

Do they want the secret recipe for Pepsi?

No.

They want to take over our bodies and our minds and turn us all into bug like creatures!

Sure, why not?

Part love story, part cyber-punk splatter flick, part naughty-tentacle Anime come to life, Meatball Machine gives new meaning to the term 'hodge-podge.' If you can squeeze it in, then why shouldn't you? Unfortunately, I was surprised to find that a film with so much happening during its brief 90-minute runtime wound up being so dull.

Meatball Machine Primavera

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef, 1/4 pound ground sausage, 1 egg, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 Alien Bug... (Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Film Society)

Meatball Machine had its North American Premiere here in Philly so actual word on the flicks origin is thin. The festival guide claims that the film is based on a 1999 short film that may or may not have run about 70-minutes. If that's the case, I can't see the sense in remaking it into a 90-minute feature 6 years later. But here we are.

A bizarre story that begins with lovers and ends with a duel to the death (amongst lovers of course) certainly has its moments. The quick cut style action scenes (reminiscent of TETSUO and its many imitators) is quite a bit of fun as are the bug like transformations (watch out for those eye covers - ye-ouch!). And of course excessive violence is always a cinematic joy! However, as a feature length, the film feels lacking. Although I wanted to feel the characters, there was a constant disconnect and I just couldn't get into it. The 90-minutes we spend here feels more like 15 minutes multiplied by 6. Hardly seems deserving of the feature length its been handed.

Sure, it resembles TETSUO. But TETSUO is a much better film, so why wouldn't I just choose to watch it instead?

Thumbs Down. See it for violence and a cool visual style, but little else.