Have a protagonist who ages in reverse because on his world time progresses in light years instead of normal years.
I think it would be funnier to have the aliens look exactly like humans, and pass it off with a line thrown in about “an incredible coincidence in evolution”.
To be scientifically illiterate, you’ve got to take some concept people may have heard about and interpret it in a completely wrong way. That’s why I like the example of the “degenerate star” above. You could have fun with other terms like "orbital decay,“quantum foam,” “black body radiation*” and “the God particle.”
*Talkin 'bout Shaft–in Space!
When the earthlings see that the aliens look exactly like them they act relieved:
“Ah, good, they’re intelligent.”
“And they’re white too, so they probably speak English.”
And they can’t dance, or jump.
“orbital decay”: a disease caused by prolonged weightlessness
“quantum foam”: a magic can-do-anything phlebotinum; comes in a handy spray can
“black body radiation”: deadly emissions given off by a nuclear weapon that only harms people of African descent
“the God particle.”: a sub-atomic particle that is the physical manifestation of God, and the source of miracles.
“Commander, the enemy ship is getting away! How can we catch them?”
“Release the Hawking radiation.”
The alien ship is preparing to dock. Open up the screen door to let them in.
More specifically, it’s a gum disease, and your teeth will eventually float out of them.
It’s the birth control for Gods.
Yes, by the principle of parallel cultural development, these aliens look like white suburban Americans, speak English, and dress in business casual. Except for the men, because there aren’t any men on this planet, only nubile blonde space babes. Wait, forget the business casual, we’re going with jeweled binkinis and silk scarves.
Plus the female amazon guards have laser pistols, which they use to vaporize one and only one red-shirt guy. Then they forget their disintegrator rays and use clumsy decorated spears for the rest of the movie.
But that is business casual.
Not just talk they have to be able to have sex and interbreed.
What is this thing you Earth men call … love?
The aliens breed rapidly and someone cries out, “They’re multiplying existentially!”
(We have to get some math and philosophy into the script.)
And, it turns out, they’re Jewish.
Had another thought, but it would be a short film…
Advanced aliens invade the world of Idiocracy. Those that don’t literally laugh themselves to death are poisoned by Brawndo, and the people of Earth are saved.
BRAWNDO !! It’s got what Aliens crave !!!
YOU FOOL! You’ll let in SPACE AIR!!
I don’t know. I said I was human. I didn’t say I was a chick.