Normally I'm not in favor of spoilers for movies or TV shows. I spoil my comic books every damn day, though for some reason. However I'm inclined to post these details on Paranormal Activity director Oren Peli's follow-up, Area 51, because I don't think these "found footage" films of his carry enough of a narrative structure to even be spoiled. LatinoReview managed to rustle up Peli's 43 page plot outline, and offered a brief synopsis. I'm going to cut out the writer's lazy analysis that preceeds it, which is a poorly thought out knock on the Saw films. Anyway, be warned....SPOILERS BELOW!!!!! Don't read any further if you don't want to know the plot!
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The film begins much like Paranormal Activity with a dude testing out his brand new handycam. In Area 51, this dude’s name is Chris and he appears to be a typical geek. He has various alien paraphernalia and random computer parts strewn around his garage, but defying all odds, he is still cool enough to fist bump his bro’s as they get set to spend some time at the casinos in Vegas. These bro’s are Paul, the stereotypical skeptic, and Rob, the stereotypical follower. We also are introduced to Natalie, the strong female in the script, whose father swears he was abducted by aliens. Chris goes over to her place to check the data from a telescope that he installed on their roof to look for extraterrestrial activity. He seriously has a telescope installed on this family’s house and it never comes across in the script as being the slightest bit odd.
The next day, the three guys make their way to Vegas and it quickly becomes apparent that the trip is not just for gambling. Chris has arraigned a meeting with a former Area 51 employee named Novak who, while working there, heard rumblings of government cooperation on human/alien experiments in exchange for alien technology. Novak knows the security measures of the compound inside and out, but never got any proof of the extraterrestrial rumors. His apparent goal in life is to get the video proof that confirms his suspicions. Being the skeptic, Paul doesn’t buy any of it, but Chris is 100% committed to bring back the video evidence.
Through some ragtag sleuthing, the gang discovers more about the military base’s impenetrable system of motion detectors, thermal imaging, ammonia detectors, armed guards, as well as “ray guns.” Undeterred, Chris puts a plan into motion worthy of Danny Ocean. Ultimately, Natalie joins in on the fun because her goal in life is to prove that he father was abducted.
I don’t want to reveal too much of the second half, but you can be assured that there is plenty of suspense and a hefty load of aliens and their shenanigans.
