Alien Autopsy (Cert 12A)

Vicki Stockman

CHEEKY Newcastle duo Ant and Dec have managed to saturate the TV market with their game shows and celebrity interviews.

But they found time out of their busy schedule to make their first feature film, Alien Autopsy. In a story based on real life events, they play best friends Ray Santilli and Gary Shoefield who come into possession of a supposed video of an alien autopsy that is to be given to a mad foreign drugs dealer. The tape fades away before they can get it to him and so the pair set about filming their own version. Of course it isn't the first time that the pair have acted, having first met on the set of Byker Grove. Though what that says of their acting credentials is open to question. The duo fail to capture their effortless spark that has found them success on TV and, as a result, the film lacks that vital energy to sustain the audience's attention. With dull dialogue the film makes even the great acting talents of stars such as Morwenna Banks (currently showing just how good she is in the BBC Two series Saxondale) look like they are starring in a bad alien B movie.