Movie reviews: Invaders from Mars (1986)
On the night of a meteor shower, young David Gardner sees an alien spacecraft land in a quarry behind his house. However, nobody that David tells believes him. Eventually, the townsfolk, including David's parents, begin to act strangely as if their emotions had been sucked out of them. The only person that David can rely on is school nurse Linda Magnuson. Hopefully the pair can convince the U.S. Marines to help them in repelling the Martian invaders.
This was a remake of the 1953 movie of the same name. It was one of the movies that Tobe Hooper made as part of his three picture deal with Cannon Pictures. It isn't quite as mad as Lifeforce, but it was a pleasant enough watch. One of the characters can even be seen watching the earlier movie on TV at one point.
Fans of 70's disaster movies will recognise Airport 1975's Karen Black as the school nurse. God, she has an annoying scream. The actress is pretty decent when she isn't screeching like a stuck pig.
Movies like this live or die on the likability of their child actors. There is nothing I hate more in movies than terrible child actors. Thankfully, Hunter Carson, the young lad that played David, was pretty likable.
The movie is also notable for including creature effects by the legendary Stan Winston. They are arguably the best thing in the movie as some of the acting was rather patchy. The occasionally wooden performances could be put down to the fact that the characters were supposed to be emotionless alien beings. I will let you decide.
Three pointy hats.
Next time: Star Wars- The Force Awakens
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