Saturday Night Live has produced a lot of talent over the years, and has unleashed many a comedian into the world of Hollywood.

Unfortunately there is a side effect. For every Richard Pryor, there is a Martin Lawrence. For every Mike Myers, there is a Dana Carvey. And for every Bill Murray, there is a Dan Aykroyd.

Although his career started with a bang, he proved adept at choosing the wrong film very early on in.

And, long before he brought us Coneheads, he brought us My Stepmother is an Alien.

But back then Aykroyd could get away with the odd dodgy film, and thanks to the presence of Kim Basinger, he does just about that.

Aykroyd plays Steven Mills, a scientist who unwittingly threatens the lives of millions of aliens, and thus has the power to save them.

So the aliens send down one of their own disguised as Kim Basinger. Mills promptly marries the alien and the fun and games ensue.

With the idea of a fish out of water story done so well both before (Splash) and since (Third Rock from the Sun), there is very little here in the way of originality. Its not exactly Shakespeare but many will find it a harmless piece of fun.

Jon Lovitz is his typical self, playing Mills' brother and stealing every scene that isn't bolted down. And, although Aykroyd makes bad films, he is actually a very watchable actor.

Though it would be difficult for a man to recommend this film, it has a certain charm that lifts it above a lot of similarly themed comedies.

More to do with sentimentality than quality, it's one of those films you just can't help but like.

Rich Phippen