In association with

The Invasion [2007]
from Warner Home Video
starring Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Jeremy Northam, Jackson Bond
directed by James McTiegue

Features:

• PAL

Editorial Review:

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

The mysterious crash of a space shuttle leads to the terrifying discovery that there is something alien within the wreckage. Those who come in contact with it are changing in ominous and inexplicable ways. Soon Washington D.C. psychiatrist Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) and her colleague Ben Driscoll (Daniel Craig) learn the shocking truth about the growing extraterrestrial epidemic: it attacks its victims while they sleep, leaving them physically unchanged but strangely unfeeling and inhuman. As the infection spreads, more and more people are altered and it becomes impossible to know who can be trusted. Now Carol's only hope is to stay awake long enough to find her young son, who may hold the key to stopping the devastating invasion.

This slick sci-fi horror hybrid is the fourth screen adaptation of Jack Finney’s The Body Snatchers. 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, ), Carol attempts to unravel the mystery as she rescues her young son.

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 3.0 / 5.0

• Why?
  What might attract people to this film? It's a sci-fi story of good heritage, Kidman, Craig and Northam in lead roles and everything seemed to be in place for a riveting watch.
  But it's not. It feels thin and unfulfilled throughout...the plot builds and builds and then it seems like the producers got bored with their own movie and brought the story to an abrupt end. I gave it two stars because Ms Kidman is always very watchable, but with Daniel Craig it reminded me of some of the naff films Roger Moore... more info

• Good solid performances, shame about the end!
  A fast paced, creepy movie with a huge tense build-up (the moment Kidman has a salesman call at her front door is very scary) with top notch performances from the main characters and then... a rushed, disappointing ending which leaves you feeling cheated. A shame, could have been a real classic chiller if this had been addressed. A special credit should go to Kidman's on screen Son who acted the role in a non-slushy way as usually happens in similar American movies.

• "I'll get you and your little dog too"
  The Space Shuttle returns with a vinous that take over people when they sleep.
  Sound familiar? Yep it is the second "popular" remake of the 1950's "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." And based on the book "The Body Snatchers" by Jack Finney. With the exception that it is more up-to-date with technology they have brought back the old time suspense build up as apposed to just gore. It is almost flawless with the exception of the exception of the cell phones. First thing aliens would take over unless we are... more info

• Solid movie
  You'll know the story line by now, so I won't bother with the details.
  The film is entertaining and suspensful. It never reaches the heights of truly scary, but there is enough to keep you watching.
  Nicole Kidman gives the fine polished performance that you would expect from an actress of her calibre and is ably supported by Daniel Craig.
  The ending is the worst part of the film. Up to then it's a fine movie and well worth a watch.

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