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Amazon.co.uk
The Invasion deserves a second chance on DVD. This ambitious sci-fi thriller represents a flawed yet worthy attempt to bring contemporary vitality to Jack Finney's classic science fiction novel, previously filmed as Don Siegel's 1956 classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Philip Kaufman's suspenseful 1978 remake, and Abel Ferrara's highly underrated Body Snatchers from 1994. And while those earlier films are superior in many respects, The Invasion is not without strengths of its own, particularly for those who prefer action and suspense. Unfortunately these strengths were compromised by the unpredictable misfortunes of production: Original director Oliver Hirschbiegel (hired on the strength of Downfall) was eventually replaced by James McTiegue (V for Vendetta), and the Wachowski Brothers (of Matrix trilogy fame) added high-octane action sequences to the original screenplay by David Kajganich. Perhaps the movie had a curse on it (star Nicole Kidman was almost seriously injured in a stunt-car mishap during last-minute re-shoots), but it's really just a matter of disparate ingredients that don't always fit together, resulting in a slick-looking film that can't decide if it's a sci-fi mystery, action thriller, or political allegory. It tries too hard to be all things at once.
Despite this, Kidman rises to the occasion with a solid performance as Carol, a Washington, D.C. psychiatrist who's convinced (with the help of costars Daniel Craig and Jeffrey Wright) that a flu-like virus is spreading throughout the population, its alien spores turning victims into soulless "pod people"... only in this case without the pods. The idea is that you'll be fine if you don't fall asleep, and especially if you don't let anyone sneeze or vomit on you. (There's a lot of vomiting; don't say you weren't warned.) With a crashing space shuttle to deliver the alien threat, cute tyke Jackson Bond as Carol's threatened son, and a nod to Kaufman's film with a small role for Veronica Cartwright, The Invasion will surely fare better on DVD than it did in theaters. If nothing else, it proves the timeless relevance of Finney's original premise, which continues to inspire a multitude of variations. --Jeff Shannon
Despite this, Kidman rises to the occasion with a solid performance as Carol, a Washington, D.C. psychiatrist who's convinced (with the help of costars Daniel Craig and Jeffrey Wright) that a flu-like virus is spreading throughout the population, its alien spores turning victims into soulless "pod people"... only in this case without the pods. The idea is that you'll be fine if you don't fall asleep, and especially if you don't let anyone sneeze or vomit on you. (There's a lot of vomiting; don't say you weren't warned.) With a crashing space shuttle to deliver the alien threat, cute tyke Jackson Bond as Carol's threatened son, and a nod to Kaufman's film with a small role for Veronica Cartwright, The Invasion will surely fare better on DVD than it did in theaters. If nothing else, it proves the timeless relevance of Finney's original premise, which continues to inspire a multitude of variations. --Jeff Shannon
Synopsis
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...
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
3rd remake of the original 1956 thriller Invasion of the BodySnatchers!
This is a slick looking movie, though an inconsistant story.
A poor script (In places) doesn't help! But Kidman gives a good central performance if a little on the cool side.
One has to ask; Why remake this then?
With only a novel new 'Take-over' sequence and a slightly more focused look at the aliens being more benign towards each other, than humans are to each other. There is just not enough here to recommend this version over ANY of the others!
Not a terrible film by any means, it just seems too ordinary for it's own good! A VERY AVERAGE MOVIE.
This is a slick looking movie, though an inconsistant story.
A poor script (In places) doesn't help! But Kidman gives a good central performance if a little on the cool side.
One has to ask; Why remake this then?
With only a novel new 'Take-over' sequence and a slightly more focused look at the aliens being more benign towards each other, than humans are to each other. There is just not enough here to recommend this version over ANY of the others!
Not a terrible film by any means, it just seems too ordinary for it's own good! A VERY AVERAGE MOVIE.
27 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I couldnt make up my mind whether i was watching this film because the beautiful and talented N. Kidman was in it or because i thought it was a decent thriller. I preferred 1978 bodysnatchers with Donald Sutherland, but thats not to say this movie is bad just a little rushed in places.
Yes, their is a lot of irony in that the alien virus which renders all emotion obsolete is also seen as a good thing. No more war, people working together for the common good as a single entity. It raises some questions about the human being good and bad. But a world without people properly expressing themselves is a very dull one indeed. The ending is also slightly disappointing in that the 1978 version was darker and overall more depressing. Attempting to explain the appearance of the alien spores and how they work, also the possibility of a vaccine is all sandwiched in between Kidman running away from infected people. Scriptwriters obviously found they had a lot to squeeze into 90+ mins and found it a struggle.
Its a shame because the movie ratchets up the tension pretty well to keep the viewer engrossed, and the performances are solid. Kidman and Craig work well together, and every scene with Kidman on the run is when the movie works best. Kidman really is a good actress and can make you feel the desperation she is going through, but without her the movie would have been flat. But for gods sake its time hollywood started to come up with original ideas, endless remakes and remakes of remakes are proving tiresome.
Yes, their is a lot of irony in that the alien virus which renders all emotion obsolete is also seen as a good thing. No more war, people working together for the common good as a single entity. It raises some questions about the human being good and bad. But a world without people properly expressing themselves is a very dull one indeed. The ending is also slightly disappointing in that the 1978 version was darker and overall more depressing. Attempting to explain the appearance of the alien spores and how they work, also the possibility of a vaccine is all sandwiched in between Kidman running away from infected people. Scriptwriters obviously found they had a lot to squeeze into 90+ mins and found it a struggle.
Its a shame because the movie ratchets up the tension pretty well to keep the viewer engrossed, and the performances are solid. Kidman and Craig work well together, and every scene with Kidman on the run is when the movie works best. Kidman really is a good actress and can make you feel the desperation she is going through, but without her the movie would have been flat. But for gods sake its time hollywood started to come up with original ideas, endless remakes and remakes of remakes are proving tiresome.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Somewhat lacking in tension etc. The original Bodysnatchers circa 1950's did a better job of keeping the terror alive until the final reel (The original Bodysnatchers movie was a kind of homage to paranoia in relation to "Reds under the bed" fears in relation to communism) Poor in the excitement/drama dept. Must do better messrs Kidman/Craig!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Credit due...
I really enjoyed this movie. It was well cast and well acted, the kids playing Oliver and his friend were especially good little actors. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Murph
The invasion
It was ok, I enjoyed the movie but it did not have the atmosphere and tension of the original, inspite of Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig starring. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Thelma L. Workman
A very enjoyable sci-fi thriller
Nicole Kidman is great as psychiatrist Carol Bennell who is a divorced mother to one little boy. One day one of her patients claims that her husband isn't really her husband. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Camilla Macaulay
Good scfi film
without watching the orginals you would walk out thinking good film with a unquie feel if not a great ending. Read more
Published 12 months ago by EGGY6198
Great film!
I was looking at this film a while ago but didn't buy it. I'm so glad I did now though! I bought it on an off chance that I'd like it (I like randomly buying films and hoping for... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Ski
A solid Sci-FI thriller.
The Invasion' is a fairly solid Sci-Fi thriller, the acting is decent, the direction is solid and the story moves along at a brisk pace. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Ernie
A surprisingly good replication
A lot of the negative reaction to "The Invasion" is surely centred on a sense of great tedium at yet ANOTHER reworking of Jack Finney's tale of the ultimate in identity theft. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Matthew Norton
Wishy Washy Sci Fi
General hash up of The Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Whatever the two main actors were paid, it was too much. Nothing original at all to recommend it. Read more
Published 23 months ago by John M. Lovatt
The Invasion
A first class performance from a first class actor. There is an element of history and truth, as well the film studio additions, but I enjoyed what I consider to be an excellent... Read more
Published 23 months ago by AE Wheeler
Superior Sci-Fi
This is a surprisingly enjoyable and engrossing film.
To be honest I wasn't expecting much from it. Re-makes of classic movies usually disappoint. Read more
To be honest I wasn't expecting much from it. Re-makes of classic movies usually disappoint. Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2010 by classic 1965
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