Alien Autopsy Preview

Morons From Outer Space', 'Guest House Paradiso', any of the Morecambe and Wise movies; these titles should serve as a warning to Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly as they prepare to unleash 'Alien Autopsy', their first big screen outing (not including that quite funny bit in 'Love Actually'). Over the years many a comic duo have tried to transfer their magic from the small box in your living room to the big silver screen, and almost without fail they have bombed. Did anyone see 'Churchill: The Hollywood Years'? Thought not. There are slightly higher expectations with this one though, as thus far the cheeky Geordie chaps have not put a foot wrong. Far from playing exaggerated versions of their small screen personas, 'Alien Autopsy' will see them going back to their Byker Grove acting roots.

They have assembled a fine supporting cast around them for starters: Bill Pullman, Harry Dean Stanton, Omid Djalili and er, Jimmy Carr, and director Jonny Campbell has directed small screen hits such as Shameless and Spooks. So what of the plot? Ant and Dec play Ray and Gary, friends who visit America and stumble upon some top secret military film that, if made public, would let the world know we are not alone. Once the media is alerted to the footage a frenzy begins that finds the two lads thrown into the spotlight. But as well as the video, they share a secret that could put both their lives in danger. Set reports suggest that this may well be the exception to the "funny Brit TV = naff movie" rule, although it does seem to be arriving a few years late, having missed the peak of the X-Files' success by about a decade. If nothing else, the movie's great promo website is worth a look: you can do your very own alien autopsy! The spoof is out there.