Thoughts: Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a remake of the 1956 with the same name, which is based on a book named "The Body Snatchers". I have not seen the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers and had little to no knowledge of either film prior to watching it. However, the remake is considered by many to be just as good, if not better than the original.
The basic premise is that some form of space parasite lands on earth of replaces people with emotionless clones of themselves. While I very much dislike horror films in general with the exception of Psycho and Jaws, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a horror film in some respects. Yet it more like a combination of sci-fi, suspense, conspiracy, and horror, creating a unique and creepy hybrid. I have not seen a movie like Invasion of the Body Snatchers before, it is one of the most original sci-fi movies I have seen. While the film starts slowly it builds an eerie sense of suspense and eventually leading to a creepy final act. Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a very intelligent with a almost realistic take on an alien invasion. Also this is not a "fun" movie, it is almost depressing but it works in making the movie better.
Directed by: Philip Kaufman
Genre: Sci-Fi, Suspense, Horror, Conspiracy Thriller,
Release Date: December 20, 1978
Running Time: 115 minutes
MMPA rating: PG (would be PG-13 or R today)
The Good: Genuinely creepy, Many plot twists and turns, Suspenseful,
The Bad:
Note: Although it was rated "PG" at the time of its release, it would definitely be rated PG-13 or even R today.
Plot: The following plot summary is copied from Wikipedia.com.
The film opens out in deep space, where a race of gelatinous creatures abandon their dying world. Pushed through the universe by the solar winds, they make their way to Earth and land in San Francisco. Some fall on plant leaves, assimilating them and forming small pods with pink flowers. Elizabeth Driscoll (Brooke Adams), an employee at the San Francisco health department, is one of several people who brings a flower home. The next morning, Elizabeth's partner, Geoffrey Howell (Art Hindle), suddenly becomes distant, and she senses that something is wrong. Her colleague, health inspector Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland), suggests that she see his friend, psychiatrist Dr. David Kibner (Leonard Nimoy). Kibner suggests that Elizabeth wants to believe that Geoffrey has changed because she is looking for an excuse to get out of their relationship.
Meanwhile, Matthew's friend Jack Bellicec (Jeff Goldblum), a struggling writer who owns a mud bath with his wife Nancy (Veronica Cartwright), discovers a deformed body on one of the beds and calls Matthew to investigate. Noticing that the body (which has adult features but lacks distinguishing characteristics) bears a slight resemblance to Jack, Matthew breaks into Elizabeth's home and finds a nearly complete double of her in the bedroom garden. He is able to get Elizabeth to safety, but the duplicate body has disappeared by the time he returns with the police.
Matthew realizes that what is happening is extraterrestrial, not realizing that Dr. Kibner has also been changed. He calls several state and federal agencies, but they all tell him not to worry. In addition, people who had earlier claimed that their loved ones had changed seem to have been converted as well. Watch the movie to see what happens next.
Plot: 8.2/10- Although Invasion of the Body Snatchers has a slow building plot, the third act is "nail-bitingly" suspenseful. There are some unexpected plot twists thrown in to keep the audience on their toes and there are a few moments were I was actually startled to a point.
Action: N/A- While there some running and people being chased, it is not an action movie.
Acting: 7.7/10- Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, Leonard Nimoy and Veronica Cartwright all gave good solid performances, there was no noticeably weak actor at any point.
Special effects: 8.0/10- Although Invasion of the Body Snatchers never uses anything too difficult to achieve, what is used works effectively.
Soundtrack: 7.3/10- The soundtrack an eerie feeling to the film, which added tension and a state of paranoia.
Comedy: N/A-
Would I Watch This Again: Because the movie relies on suspense and plot twists, it would not be near as effective on a second viewing, but I will definitely watch the original version of the film.
Overall: 7.9/10- Overall Invasion of the Body Snatchers is intruging, sometimes suspenseful and creepy, sci-fi thriller.
Closing comments: If you like classic sci-fi and want to see a intelligent thriller you would probably enjoy Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
Recommended for: Sci-Fi fans, Suspense fans, Horror fans, Conspiracy Thriller fans,
Warning This is Not for the Younger Audience.
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Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteI had heard of this movie while listening to the audio book "The Taking" and I had thought it sounded interesting. And after reading your review, I definitely want to watch it at some point. :D
I love Leonard Nimoy mostly because of star trek.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting and creepy! I'm not at all into horror, so I doubt I would watch it, but it was a really good review. :D
ReplyDelete@Shena Tokala: It was great. :D
ReplyDeleteI have also heard that the book was great as well.
@Vincent the awesome: Cool, I like Nimoy also. He was great in the recent Star Trek and Wrath of Khan.
@Helen: Thanks. :)
-James