The film labored mightily for the first half trying to establish reasons we would care about the characters, but the last twenty minutes was more like your usual monster movie with the C.H.U.D.s rampaging for somewhat obscure reasons. Maybe it's best not to try to figure it out. It was interesting to see Manhattan looking as seedy as it used to look. I think the actors did try their utmost to throw themselves into their roles and some of them went on to have decent careers as a sort of vindication.