Critique of “Bob Lazar: Area 51 & Flying Saucers” (2018): A Movie Review

The cheapo documentary Bob Lazar – Area 51 & Flying Saucers, by Jeremy Kenyon Lockyer-Corbell, is a no-nonsense look at the life of Bob Lazar. Lazar, an enigmatic physicist, has been leaking information to the media for nearly 30 years about the highly classified work that he performed at Area 51, the infamous government base located in the Nevada desert. Lazar claimed he was hired to reverse-engineer alien spacecraft in order to harness their advanced technology. Lazar said that he believed the American people had been misled by a government deceitful, and so he told his story. Since then, Lazar has reportedly been avoiding death threats, assassination efforts, and FBI raids. The movie has the appearance of a good story. From the bookish whistleblower who describes a supposed collision between science fiction and fact to the alleged attempts made to silence him, the film fails to explain the reason why this strange tale keeps being brought up. The story is not very interesting and the movie has little to say. Corbell was interested in this topic and did some research. He also got access to Lazar to create a film. Following leads and discovering slivers or suggestive information must have been exciting at the time, but in the end, the movie is a repetitive, rudimentary, and uninspired rundown of conspiracies with fraying ends. Bob Lazar & Flying Saucers is essentially Corbell putting together interviews with Lazar, and sometimes chatting with investigative journalist George Knapp. Knapp originally interviewed Lazar in 1989, when the physicist chose to speak out about what he had seen at S4, the base referred to by Lazar. Knapp, who has been invested in the flying-saucer story for over 30 years, is also convinced that Lazar’s claims are true. They are two men convincing each other that they already believe the same thing. Corbell is not bothered to deal with this problem. This movie is for those who want to believe the U.S. Government has had alien technology in its possession for years. This movie is not for those who don’t believe in such things. It will make you so annoyed by the end that you won’t be any more convinced. Lazar, as an interviewee, is articulate and affable, but sometimes he seems annoyed by the fact that he still talks about it. He also coasts along like a machine on autopilot, repeating stories and explanations without any passion. He’s defensive, which is understandable, and eager to be taken serious. However, he has no patience with anyone who questions his story. Corbell, on the other hand, is almost childlike with his enthusiasm and willingness to believe. He shares with enthusiasm any evidence he has found to corroborate Lazar’s claims. Corbell’s willingness accept Lazar’s account as truth is not the issue, but the discrepancy in how little information he is actually revealing and how much attention and time he is giving to these small bits. The FBI may be listening to the interview. Yet, nothing else is said about the meeting. The FBI’s involvement in Lazar is a major factor in the mythos surrounding Bob Lazar – Area 51 and Flying Saucers. However, Lazar must remain silent about details while Corbell fills in any blanks. This is another dead-end, a small piece of narrative information on which the movie depends for dramatic effect in the absence of any other material. Corbell can’t just will the story to exist, no matter how passionate he is. Lazar is limited in what he can tell us about the topic. It’s then up to the director for more context. This context can lead to boring and uninteresting situations, such as Corbell trying prove that Lazar actually was interviewed for the S4 position at the location that Lazar had named, as if the fact that Lazar held the job is proof that Lazar worked with alien technology. These leaps in logic prevent the film from becoming a serious investigation of its topic and highlight just how little evidence is available or will ever be to the public. The decision to believe Lazar is left up to the audience. Corbell is unable to make an argument that’s compelling for either side. Mickey Rourke, coincidentally, is also unable to make a convincing argument for either position. The gravelly voiced actor, whose career has seen him bounce between the A and Z lists (” The wrestler“), is at rock bottom in this film. He spouts philosophical mush over computer animations that are erratic and ridiculous. These moments are nothing more than a last-minute attempt to gain publicity for a semi famous actor by using his name on marketing materials. Rourke’s ramblings are completely out of place with the rest the film and the animation accompanying his voice-over doesn’t do the movie any visual favors. Bob Lazar & Flying Saucers may leave a viewer with an idea of Lazar, but he or she will not likely be swayed by any particular viewpoint. The movie is best suited to those who believe in the subject, but it has little substance. When the film ends and Corbell has nothing more to say, it is clear who the director supports. Lazar will not be the only one to feel vindicated by E.T. If E.T. ever knocks on Earth’s front door, Lazar won’t be the only one to feel vindicated.