I am a big fan of evil alien movies, but there have been so very few remarkable films concerning this topic. We had nice aliens in “E.T.,” and “Mac and Me,” and we had that lovable “Alf” that touched the hearts of millions, but we don’t have that many good alien attack movies. V set the standard for perfect evil alien films, especially considering the length of this film and the depth of the characters. Written and Directed by Kenneth Johnson, V brought a timeless production to the small screen, and despite the restrictions it may have had due to this, it managed to be an entertaining and visually convincing film. The story, however, isn’t as much about aliens as it is about the human psyche.
We begin with several people living their lives. Cameraman Mike Donovan (Marc Singer) and his partner, Tony (Evan C. Kim) are covering a war and nearly getting killed. They get chased down by a helicopter, which has them in their sights, but strangely, it just flies away. When Mike looks back he sees an enormous flying saucer, slowing moving over him. Reports come in that there are flying saucers in every major city, parked and quiet in the night sky.
The major news channels are covering this nonstop, and the report remains the same, until the countdown begins. It is announced that the aliens have come in peace and wish to give the people of earth the knowledge to cure diseases. They were going to be good for humanity and in exchange for their generosity, they only ask for a chemical that they cannot produce on their planet, which there is no earthly use for. They also look human and unthreatening, but there something ominous about them.
The “Visitors” are welcomed with open arms by most, and the promises of better times has the people happy, but there is something ominous about them. At a party, Scientist Robert Maxwell (Michael Durrell) notices that the birds panicked every time that the visitor Steven (Andrew Prine) walked by. A great character in this movie is Eleanor (Neva Patterson), who was the host of the party. She is Donovan’s mother and a selfish and phony person that automatically kisses up to the visitors in hopes for power. This character is one of the many that upsets you right away, not only because of the great portrayal by Patterson, but because everyone knows somebody like this. It’s similar to the white trash in “Million Dollar Baby.” Everyone gets upset with them because you know people just like them. They are true to life.
The Visitors send out the call to the human youth and Daniel (David Packer), quickly signs up. Daniel is another type of person that you would know. He is a loser in the real world, fired for stealing from jobs, unlucky with the ladies, and angry. He sees the Visitor’s youth movement as a chance to get that power that he could never get in real life. Daniel has an infatuation with daughter of Robert Maxwell, Robin (Blair Tefkin), and as his power grows, so does his forcefulness in trying to acquire her love. He is one of the best of the
unsavory characters.
The suspense slowly builds and you can’t help but to be glued to your seat. A scientific conspiracy is claimed by the visitors and everyone is buying it, even world renowned scientists that state that cures for diseases have been withheld and that there is a plan to take down the mother ships. The scientists are labeled terrorists and martial law is easing its way in. When Tony notices that something is strange about the scientists coming forward, the real drama begins, and with Donovan boards a mother ship with camera in hand and in search of the truth, terror ensues and the evil aliens are revealed for what they really are.
Sneaking through the vents, Donovan gets some footage of Diana (Jane Badler), and another visitor that is high in the chain, Steven, discussing how they have brainwashed humans to say what they wanted them to say. Then we get to see Steven eat a mouse and even more impressive, Diana eats a guinea pig. Donovan keeps moving and gets noticed and gets yanked out of the vents. As he fights with an angry visitor, he rips the skin off of his face, exposing the truth. They do not really look like humans. They are reptoids.
Now Mike Donovan along with the scientists make the Visitor’s most wanted. They merge and form a resistance in hopes of taking down this bunch, but outside of the laser guns that the aliens brought to earth, there doesn’t seem to be much that is effective to kill them. It is going to be an uphill battle for the resistance.
V, the original miniseries, is an accomplishment that has to be admired. Kenneth Johnson didn’t just understand what makes good TV (as he did with Alien Nation and the original Hulk series), he understood human nature and exploited it. The reason that this film is timeless is because evil forces still exist in this world and human nature is something that doesn’t change, and it can all be related to current times. You can still find the Eleanors and Daniels of the world in your neighborhoods. I can’t recommend this movie enough.
The characters in this film are so well played and so well developed. Martin (Frank Ashmore), Kristine Walsh (Jenny Sullivan), John (Richard Herd), Willie (Robert Englund), and Elias Taylor (Michael Wright) are also great in their roles. Realistically, there is nothing that I can say about this first part of the V miniseries that is negative. I enjoy this every time that I watch it, leading in to the conclusion of this series: “V: The Final Battle.” I suggest you set aside an afternoon to watch this series from beginning to end.
Scared Stiff Rating: 9.5/10. Never trust a smiling reptoid.
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