ReelBob: ‘Sputnik’ ★★★

By Bob Bloom

“Sputnik” is a Russian science-fiction feature that tips its helmet to Britain’s 1955’s “The Quatermass Xperiment” and Ridley Scott’s 1979 “Alien.”

The movie, set in 1983, begins with two cosmonauts preparing to return to Earth after a long mission.

But something goes amiss, and when their capsule lands, one of the cosmonauts is dead while the other is injured.

Authorities soon learn the survivor hosts an uninvited guest inside him.

To help solve the mystery, the military recruits a discredited young doctor, Titiana Yurievna (Oksana Akinshina), whose controversial methods, which the army leader sees as an asset, jeopardize her career.

Titiana is taken to a secluded research facility that houses the surviving astronaut, Konstantin Sergeyevich (Pyotr Fyodorov).

There, she begins to study and interact with him, quickly discerning the relationship between the alien creature and its human host.

“Sputnik” is a tension-filled exercise because the motives of the alien entity remain unclear. Adding to the suspense, are the divisions between the military head of the complex and the scientists. The military wants to weaponize the creature, while the researchers want to study and learn from it.

The creature displays nasty eating habits, being attracted to a human hormone that creates fear.

“Sputnik” is more than an alien-creature feature because it studies the toll the growing symbiotic connection has on Sergeyevich, as well as Titiana’s growing understanding of the alien and her efforts to help the cosmonaut return to a normal life.

Director Egor Abramenko slowly builds the story, keeping us on edge about the secret within the cosmonaut. Even before we see the creature, an atmosphere of dread hangs over the film. We know something is coming, and we wonder whether it is benign or dangerous.

The movie is a sci-fi thriller that relies more on the human aspects of its tale, rather than relying on special effects to hold us.

Despite its gore — and the creature’s disgusting culinary tastes — you feel for the alien, not knowing if its visit to Earth was planned for some nefarious purpose or if it was simply an accidental encounter.

As in many good science-fiction stories, it’s mankind who seems more of a menace.

“Sputnik” runs 107 minutes; it drags at times and features a domestic subplot that Abramenko could have jettisoned.

That withstanding, “Sputnik,” in Russian with English subtitles, is first-rate; a clever combination of horror and intellect that will not disappoint fans of the genre.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap and other print and online publications. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow me on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook. My movie reviews also can be found at Rotten Tomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.

SPUTNIK
3 stars out of 4
Not rated, graphic violence, language