A TV reporter stumbles on a Martian who has just crashed on Earth, and thinks he's landed the story of the millennium. But as he schemes to expose the Martian, his efforts are constantly foiled, so he decides to help the resourceful alien return home.
Ambitious TV reporter Tim O'Hara (Jeff Daniels) stumbles on a Martian (Christopher Lloyd) who has just crashed on Earth. Thinking this is the story of the millennium, Tim schemes to expose the Martian, who has taken human form as "Uncle Martin." When Tim's efforts are constantly foiled by Uncle Martin's crazy antics, he decides to help the resourceful alien return home. With the government hot on their trail and a spaceship in pieces, can they blast off Uncle Martin in time?