Published via Ecency

(source: tmdb.org)

Few things are as frustrating for cinephiles as watching film with interesting premise, respectable background and many talents behind camera turn into disappointment. This happened with Invaders from Mars, 1986 science fiction film directed by Tobe Hooper.

Film represents remake of the eponymous 1953 film directed by William Cameron Menzies, which, although not among the best in the history of the genre, turned into classic. New version begins one stormy night when protagonist, young boy David Gardner (played by Hunter Carson), sees large space ship landing in the vicinity of his home. When he alerts his father George (played by Timothy Bottoms) and mother Ellen (played by Laraine Newman), they are sceptical towards his claims but George nevertheless decides to investigates. When he returns from alleged landing site he starts to behave strangely and soon same things happens with his mother. David soon witnesses the same phenomenon in his school with teacher Mrs. McKeltch (played by Louise Fletcher), as well as classmates, policemen and other citizens with all of them having strange mark on their neck. David tries to warn people around him, but the only person willing to believe him is school nurse Linda Magnuson (played by Karen Black). With her help he manages to reach nearby military base and convince General Wilson (played by James Karen) to send Marines to the landing site and deal with the aliens.

Director Tobe Hooper became famous for his horror classics while Dan O’Bannon, one of the screenwriters, became famous his work on science fiction classics. Their teaming up, made after their work on Lifeforce one year later, is the main reason why Invaders from Mars for a time looks like a very good combination of both genres. Although the film was produced by The Cannon Group, studio known for cheap exploitation films, you couldn’t tell due to superb cinematography by Daniel Pearl and high production values. Film is most effective in the beginning when rather convincingly portrays scenario used in 1956 classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers - aliens gradually taking control over population via mind control – from the child’s point of view. Second part, which takes part in aliens’ underground lair, features good special effects by John Dykstra as well as some interestingly designed and somewhat impressive creatures designed by Stan Winston. Unfortunately, the second part, in which protagonist can rely on entire well-armed and highly trained elite unit of US Marines to deal with aliens is less interesting because drama and suspense plays second fiddle to action, lot of shooting and pyrotechnics. This is moment when many in the audience will start to notice underwhelming musical score by Christopher Young. Hunter Carson, child actor who had decent debut in small role in Paris, Texas apparently can’t carry the film by himself and his lack of acting abilities is at times irritating. Carson’s real life mother Karen Black is much better in role of sympathetic nurse, as well as Timothy Bottoms like his father. Louise Fletcher is wasted in the role of one-dimensional villain and uninspired dialogue mars performance of otherwise solid character actor James Karen. But the worst part of Invaders from Mars is unconventional ending that might look “cool” on paper, but actually doesn’t make much sense. The end result is well-directed and sometimes interesting film that again shows that remakes are hard to do even by people who talents and reputation suggest otherwise.

RATING: 5/10 (++)