The first thing that came into my head as The Invasion began was "Plastic Surgery"; in the two years since actress Nicole Kidman had made a physical appearance on screen she had lost a good five years, and most annoyingly she had developed that rather annoying Victoria Beckham pout, perhaps ... Read review
Something terrifying has come to Earth, something that attacks us while we sleep and turns ... more
us into soulless replicants. The clock is ticking as Washington, DC psychiatrist Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) and her colleague Ben Driscoll (Daniel Craig) embark on a heart-stopping journey into a nightmarish world where the only way to stay alive is to stay awake. No one can be trusted. No one is safe in producer Joel Silver's bold new take on Jack Finney's classic novel The Body Snatchers. Don't fall asleep! The Invasion is here.
Something terrifying has come to Earth, something that attacks us while we sleep and turns ... more
us into soulless replicants. The clock is ticking as Washington, DC psychiatrist Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) and her colleague Ben Driscoll (Daniel Craig) embark on a heart-stopping journey into a nightmarish world where the only way to stay alive is to stay awake. No one can be trusted. No one is safe in producer Joel Silver's bold new take on Jack Finney's classic novel The Body Snatchers. Don't fall asleep! The Invasion is here.
Investigating the disappearance of an eminent scientist, the Doctor and his companions ... more
follow his trail to the London headquarters of International Electromatics, a global supplier of electronic equipment run by the formidable Tobias Vaughan. Teaming up with the newly-formed United Nations Intelligence Taskforce - UNIT - under the command of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, it soon becomes apparent that Vaughan is working to his own sinister agenda. As Cybermen invade in cities all over the world, can the Doctor convince Vaughan to help him defeat their plan for global domination?
Production Year: 2000 - Horror - Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Carmen Electra, Anna Faris, Kurt Fuller, James Van Der Beek, Keenen Ivory Wayans
Production Year: 1998 - Horror - Director: Stephen Norrington - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, N'Bushe Wright, Donal Logue, Udo Keir, Traci Lords, Udo Kier
Advantages: Reasonable retelling of a classic horror tale Disadvantages: What's up with Kidman's face
The first thing that came into my head as The Invasion began was "Plastic Surgery"; in the two years since actress Nicole Kidman had made a physical appearance on screen she had lost a good five years, and most annoyingly she had developed that rather annoying Victoria Beckham pout, perhaps the two things are connected. I know this is a hard line to take at the start of a review, but this age reversal process is striking to the extent of ... .../>
The Invasion is technically speaking the forth official Bodysnatcher movie, while Bodysnatchers: The Invasion Continues in 1993 was a dramatically different variation the other three movies all follow similar paths. In the case of this 2007 (actually finished a year before release) version of the movie, the space shuttle Mayflower explodes during a hasty re-entry to earth's orbit. First man onsite (official figure speaking) is Tucker Kaufman ... more
The first thing that came into my head as The Invasion began was "Plastic Surgery"; in the two years since actress Nicole Kidman had made a physical appearance on screen she had lost a good five years, and most annoyingly she had developed that rather annoying Victoria Beckham pout, perhaps the two things are connected. I know this is a hard line to take at the start of a review, but this age reversal process is striking to the extent of being the most overpowering thing about the movie.
The Invasion is technically speaking the forth official Bodysnatcher movie, while Bodysnatchers: The Invasion Continues in 1993 was a dramatically different variation the other three movies all follow similar paths. In the case of this 2007 (actually finished a year before release) version of the movie, the space shuttle Mayflower explodes during a hasty re-entry to earth's orbit. First man onsite (official figure speaking) is Tucker Kaufman (Jeremy Northam), who shortly after arrival comes into contact with a piece of the shuttles debris. While things seem fairly normal, upon arrival home his treasured companion, a pet dog takes an immediate and unusual dislike to his master's return. This is just the unfortunate start for Tucker who during the night enters a "cocoon" transition and awakens quite simply a different man.
Dr. Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) is a psyc hiatrist who has noticed some changes in her clientele; she also happens to be the ex-wife of Tucker; as events fall scarily out of control, and it seems an alien invasion is underway with more and more people undergoing "changes" Bennell finds herself on the front line; desperately searching for answers and her missing son.
The Invasion has been on the receiving end of some pretty bad press, most notably being regarded as unoriginal. The trouble being is that you really have to give this some focus, of course its unoriginal; it's a tale that is familiar to anyone above a certain age. The Invasion does not try to make itself a new retelling of an older tale, what it does is simply updates a traditional story. There have been a lot of technological advancements since the last "straight" remake in 1978. You need to take into account that many people 25 years or less would regard the 78 version of Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers as an "old" movie; and like all cleverly designed stories each generation needs to embrace the story, hence I suspect the remake this time round. What of course is painfully obvious to anyone who remembers the 78 version, is that this is a movie with difficult ground to match because that version was so cleverly solid, well acted, and deeply scary.
There are obvious differences between the movies Dr. Bennell has traditionally been played by a male actor, in the 50's Kevin McCarthy, and in the 70's Donald Sutherland, here of course Bennell is played by a woman. In previous movies Bennell clings to a woman as his travelling companion through the horror, here the female Bennell's travelling companion is her son. This being said she does have some strong male companionship in the form of Bond actor Daniel Craig (here actually pre-Bond although the film was not released until after Casino Royale). But this aside the differences between this and the 70's versions are slight, with obvious changes to scenario's.
The Invasion has some flaws; I feel the use of CGI for actual make-up effects cheapens the feel of the movie. Seeing someone with an obviously digital face rather than covered in latex masking does not give a pleasing feel, well certainly not to me. The other big issue is that the build up to "the events" feels a little rushed, trying to make the movie appeal to a new high speed audience that like things now.
Nicole Kidman gives me a big problem, not only is she scarily plastic looking; but she displays some slightly dysfunctional attributes from the movies offset. Almost like she was the first person to be "snatched" a thought that stayed with me through the movies duration, rightly or wrongly I guess; maybe this was the producer's requirement. With both Sutherland and McCarthy you grew to love the character before the story began, and I feel that for older Bodysnatchers enthusiasts this is a factor that is hard to forget.
The Invasion is a capable movie to most other extents though, it's relatively well pieced together, it has a strong supporting cast; and it looks fantastic. Both previous encounters (and I don't include the 93 outing, it was just too dire) looked kind of dirty and too gritty. This 2007 offering looks lovely and clean, everything is so immaculate this is almost a testament to our time, that despite certain backwards movements our world's cities to some degree look a lot better.
There is a nice homage, one that follows tradition; Kevin McCarthy returned in the 78 version albeit for a brief moment. Here Veronica Cartwright one of the supporting cast from 78 takes a reasonably supportive role as one of Bennell's patients and ultimately the first person to draw her attention to the weirdness that surrounds them.
Sadly this offering misses the boat in the final moments choosing the Hollywood style ending, as opposed to the one that creates more impact. We all like a good shock at the end of a movie, sadly this fails to deliver one.
Advantages: A couple of nice performances. Disadvantages: A film unwilling to commit to a single idea or style.
...that come into contact with the wreckage begin to change into something not quite human. Psychiatrist Carol Bennell and her friend Ben Driscoll learn the truth about the alien epidemic, which attacks its victims in their sleep and renders them emotionless and inhuman. As the infection spreads, Carol fights to stay awake, desperate to find her young son, who may hold the key to halting its progress.
"Downfall" director Oliver Hirschbiegel changes ... ...of the Body Snatchers". Sadly his inexperience in sci-fi shows in a film that has potential but never commits to an idea. The original is a movie of creeping paranoia, where the everyday slowly becomes alien. But the director is too anxious to get to the nuts and bolts of the science fiction concept as you can tell from the flash cut intro. It shows a confusing series of images and whispers to show how nightmarish Carol's life will become. This kills ...
afy9mab 05.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Invasion (DVD)
Advantages: Well made, good story, good acting. Disadvantages: Not exactly horror but a good thriller!
So I enjoyed the original body snatchers films and was pleased to hear that there was a remake. The DVD release was somewhat under promoted to the fact that it lost money at the box office (they spent more making it than it made!).
I thought I'd give it a chance and watch it and to be honest I thoroughly enjoyed it! Granted I wouldn't call it horror more like an enjoyable thriller but it was well made, had a good story and good actors/acting. This ... ...understand why it did so badly or lost money when its a lot better than most films I've seen that have won various awards so I suggest if you are thinking of watching it don't listen to the critics and just give it a try! You might really enjoy it!! ...
LARocker182 17.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Invasion (DVD)
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Advantages: Cute, & heart warming. Can be viewed & enjoyed by anyone Disadvantages: none except blurred colours at times
Littlefoots back. ..... again! phew. Here we have yet another classic film, and you'd thought I'd be sick of all the cute baby dinosaurs and thier squeaky voices by this time ( the Eleventh DVD ), however you'd be wrong, so here we go:
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This DVD's statistical info:
Format: Animated, PAL
Language English
Region: Region 2
Number of discs: 1
Classification: U
Studio: Universal Pictures Video
DVD Release Date: 19 Sep 2005
Run Time: 81 minutes
Main Language: English
COST: £9.99
PLACE OF PURCHASE: Blockbusters ...
The Dalek Invasion of Earth is part of the classic series featuring the original TARDIS crew of the First Doctor played by William Hartnell and his grandaughter Susan and her two school teachers Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton, and of course the Daleks.
The two school teachers finally find themselves back in London but soon discover that all is not well.
This story benefits greatly from the four regulars who are by this stage really comfortable with each other. The story is split in two almost immediately with Barbara and Susan going missing. The Doctor and Ian are brought face to face with a Dalek.
The central idea is quite basic, an invasion of Earth, and is repeated during the run of the series on a number of occasions. The supporting characters are well rounded and are there to eventually get the four time travellers into ...
Advantages: Classic 60's Dr Who. A good and varied range of Special Features. Disadvantages: Limitations placed on it by the poor quality footage.
For the next in my Dr Who DVD reviews I am jumping way back in time (which seems somehow appropriate for a review about a series that features time travel) to a story made in the 1960s. This six part adventure features the original and first Doctor Who, as played by the wonderful William Hartnell. My copy of Dalek Invasion of Earth came (as do most of my DVDs) from www.sendit.com and came at the bargain price of £7.99 ~ excellent for a two disc release and a saving of twelve quid on the cover price!
As usual I will be giving you a plot outline so look away for the next two paragraphs and join me later.
~~~THE PLOT.
This is a classic story and sees the Doctor and his current companions, Susan (played by Carole Ann Ford), Ian (William Russell) and Barbara (Jacqueline Hill), in their second encounter with the wonderfully evil ...
Nicole Kidman stars as a psychologist who discovers that a terrifying, behaviour-altering global epidemic is extraterrestrial in origin.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
WARNER HOME VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Documentary - 'We've Been Snatched Before: Invasion In Media History', Featurettes - 'The Invasion: A New Story', 'The Invasion: On The Set', and 'The Invasion: Snatched'
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Professional reviews
Review
Effectively creepy and surprisingly unnerving... INVASION does very well, aided by an effective John Ottman score, in conveying the bump-in-the-dark terror (Los Angeles Times, 24/01/2008)
DVD Description
This slick sci-fi horror hybrid is the fourth adaptation of Jack Finney's THE BODY SNATCHERS to land on screens. Infused with modern details like text messaging and 24-hour cable news, THE INVASION updates the classic story for today's tech-centric world. After the space shuttle Patriot crashes unexpectedly, people across America begin to exhibit strange behaviour. Psychiatrist Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman, BEWITCHED) begins to notice the change in those around her, including her ex-husband, Tucker Kaufman (Jeremy Northam, GOSFORD PARK), who works at the CDC. Joined by her friend Ben Driscoll (Daniel Craig, CASINO ROYALE), Carol attempts to unravel the mystery as she rescues her young son.
THE INVASION gives Kidman a chance to act the part of an action hero. She runs in heels, crashes cars, and shoots guns, but she looks more like a Hitchcockian blonde than a latter-day heroine. Clad in steely grays, she perfectly matches the film’s sober palette of neutrals. Genre veteran Veronica Cartright gives a good performance as one of Carol's patients, who suspects that her husband isn't himself. Cartright has appeared in sci-fi classics such as THE X-FILES and ALIEN, but she also starred in Philip Kaufman's 1978 version of the story. Unlike WAR OF THE WORLDS or SIGNS, the invaders here don't arrive in UFOs or appear as little green (or gray) men. Instead, the threat in THE INVASION is so creepy because the aliens look just like everyone else.
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