Coneheads
Directed by Steve Barron
- comedy
- science fiction
The story
A pair of aliens arrive on Earth to prepare for invasion, but crash instead. With enormous cone-shaped heads, robotlike walks and an appetite for toilet paper, aliens Beldar and Prymatt don't exactly blend in with the population of Paramus, N.J. But for some reason, everyone believes them when they say they're from France.
What it’s like
Bright, flat suburban daylight over strip malls, parking lots and split-level kitchens, shot in the broad, unhurried style of a early-nineties studio comedy: medium wides, straight-on two-shots, and reaction cuts that let the deadpan land. The palette is sun-washed and a little plasticky, all beige siding, primary-coloured cars and fluorescent supermarket aisles, with synth-tinged pop and a jaunty, slightly cheesy score that keeps the mood light. Its vibe is goofy, nostalgic and warm, the sort of silly afternoon you half-remember from video rental nights. Pacing is loose and episodic, built on repeated gags, sight-based mishaps and running jokes about rigid alien formality clashing with everyday American routine, while the core arc follows two outsiders who slowly become part of a family and neighbourhood. Intensity is low: some slapstick, mild peril and a few bursts of sci-fi action with light effects, but no real violence, gore or sexual content, and nothing frightening. It suits a comfort rewatch, a lazy weekend or a gentle laugh with kids and anyone who enjoys broad, character-driven silliness.
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