I think the first potential mistake to make about this film is to call it a comedy. It isn't. It's a first attempt for an awesome director that is mostly a failure, but shows some of the creativity that would appear in force later on. It's not that there were jokes that weren't funny, it's that there weren't jokes. At least not any more than in any of Carpenter's other films. Would you call Assault on Precinct 13 a comedy? Despite a couple amusing things like using an ice cream man I would have to say no. What's amazing is I seem to be in the complete minority about this being kind of a suspense thriller mixed with 2001 ideas. The beach ball alien was frightening because of it's cheap and silly appearance just like the doll in Trilogy of Terror and the weirdo creatures in Don't be Afraid of the Dark. Also JC's music is eerie and shows his talent in that area although of course a basic effort. The rest of the film is just a strange incomprehensible take on A Space Odyssey with not a single funny moment. I'm so glad Carpenter learned as he went and blossomed into arguably the best scary movie maker in history. Interesting only to see where he started. Deserves praise for being mercifully short which saves it from the disaster category.
