Reviewed by Melissa Garza
“I’ll get you for this David Gardner” – Mrs. McKeltch (Louise Fletcher)
When I was a child, I adored the remake of “Invaders from Mars.” It scared me yet not enough to turn my head away. It was a fun action packed thriller about mind control. Very much like “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” and all of the other counterparts, aliens come to earth and begin masquerading as people to take control.
In a small town, David Gardner (Hunter Carson) sees a UFO fall from the sky by his house. He notifies his father who says he will check it out first thing in the morning. He does, but when he comes back – something is off. Suddenly, he is distant. He claims to have lost one of his boots. When his mother leaves, things get stranger as his father gulps down a whole mug filled with hot coffee. David suspects something isn’t right and suddenly sees a strange mark on the back of his dad’s neck.
Soon, alien dad brings his wife to the UFO site and she too comes back controlled. David’s teacher and classmates are soon casualties as well.
The only one he is able to obtain assistance from is his school nurse Linda (Karen Black). Linda is skeptical at first but witnessing the strange behavior David’s teacher, and then seeing firsthand people get sucked down a sand sinkhole, she believes and does her best to help.
David decides the only way to stop the aliens is to go to the marines. He knows a few big-shots as his father worked for NASA. Initially, General Wilson (James Karen) doesn’t believe the tale, but when he receives confirmation of the UFO, the marines go to work to stop the aliens.
Overall, the film isn’t quite as good as I remember it. For nostalgia reasons alone, it will always have a place in my heart.
Unfortunately, the young actor isn’t quite strong enough to carry the film which is almost entirely placed on his shoulders.
Still, it’s a watchable movie which has moments of fun and a cool conclusion. Though the ending may seem predictable or overdone nowadays, I remember being freaked out as a kid.
Overall Rating 6/10
