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In alien-invasion series Falling Skies, humans confront a "Mech" from outer space.

Dubbed Mechs and Skitters, the extraterrestrial bad guys in Steven Spielberg’s new sci-fi series Falling Skies raise a key question: Do alien monsters really seem that scary on TV?

The two-hour pilot episode, which airs Sunday on TNT and will be telecast to more than 75 countries, dramatizes the chaotic aftermath of an alien invasion as a ragtag band of civilians try to cope. The survivalist theme is a familiar one, thanks to recent wasteland sagas including TV’s Jericho and movies like Battle: Los Angeles, Skyline, The Road, Terminator Salvation and Spielberg’s own War of the Worlds remake.

Post-apocalypse fatigue syndrome aside, Falling Skies faces a suspension of disbelief dilemma. The visual effects appear to be well-executed and would probably trigger shock and awe if they came to life on a big movie screen enhanced by a thunderous sound system. But delivered through a normal television set, the creatures feel kind of dinky. When hooved aliens come clomping down a country road, it sounds like coconut halves being pounded against a tile floor by the Foley artist in charge of sound effects.

(Spoiler alert: Minor plot points follow.)

Then there’s the crab-shaped thing from outer space. Skittering toward potential victims on articulated claw-legs, the creature resembles an escapee from the lobster tank at the local grocery store more than a fearsome invader from beyond.

As for human actors, ex-ER star Noah Wyle anchors the cast as professor-turned-guerilla leader Tom Mason, who can’t go five minutes without citing cautionary tales from the annals of world history. He’s got three sons, a cranky commander and plenty of infighting to deal with. Moon Bloodgood (Terminator Salvation) co-stars as a sensitive doctor who champions civilian needs over military strategy.

The earthlings perform adequately, but there’d be no story without the freaks from outer space. Viewed through a high-end home entertainment system, they might get pulses racing. Otherwise, Falling Skies falls short.

It comes down to a matter of scale: Drooling bastards from other galaxies look and sound more thrilling when they’re 30 feet tall and attacking human eardrums with bone-rattling subwoofers. Bring on the Imax!

Falling Skies debuts Sunday at 9 p.m./8 p.m. Central on TNT.

WIRED Intelligent design.

TIRED Aliens fail to frighten on small screen.

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