"Sally Marshall Is Not An Alien", or is she? She certainly looks human enough, although she does have a habit of hanging upside down from the monkey bars whilst reading a book and is the only one who is not scared of Buster, the threatening sidekick of Rhonnie, the school bully.

Sally is a new girl at school, and as so often happens, the old hands gang up on her. The gang, led by wonderfully malicious Rhonnie, also has it in for Pip. Pip's mistake is to like astronomy - her telescope is her most prized possession - and be friends with a classmate Ben. Remember the days, just before your teens, when any sort of friendship with a boy meant derision from your peers?

Admittedly Sally's behaviour is a little mysterious. Her Canadian accent immediately sets her apart and her brother, never seen in public without his black motorbike helmet, plays an amazing double handed game of pin ball. Not only this but there seem to be some unusual things happening at home - strange noises and lights at night, giant tomatoes, a levitating gran, and an addiction to vitamins. Pip begins to find out Sally's secrets when Rhonnie challenges her to prove that Sally is not an alien. Her precious telescope at risk Pip, with Ben's help, begins to track Sally's movements in an effort to prove that she is not an alien.

"Sally Marshall Is Not An Alien" is a delightful film about friendship, rivalry and jealousy in those awkward pre-teen years. The film looks good, the story moves along well and has an effective surprise ending. 12 year old Canadian Natalie Vansier is excellent as Sally Marshall, and first-timer Thea Gumbert is great as Rhonnie. Helen Neville puts in a credible performance as Pip and Buster the dog is great.

This is no saccharine children's movie with an unadulterated happy ending and preachy messages. Its message about accepting difference is nicely integrated into a fun movie which has all the right ingredients to appeal to children and their adults.