By Melissa Antoinette Garza
I am a fan of most incarnations, reboots, and homages to INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS. I even enjoy the often overlooked 1993 film BODY SNATCHERS and critically panned THE INVASION (2007). I hadn’t seen the original 1956 movie until I was in my late teens, but the 1978 remake was one I watched more than a few Saturday afternoons.
It was the 80s and early 90s, sci-fi and horror was how my brother, sister and I spent our weekends. It’s currently on HULU and it had been years since I had seen this version. I love both Donald Sutherland and Jeff Goldblum, so I jumped at it when both my brother Geno and husband Stephen suggested it as a watch.
For those who don’t know the basic story, it’s about an alien takeover. The version I’m reviewing takes place in San Francisco where these slimy beings escape their planet with the plan to inhabit and take over earth.
As the aliens are void of any emotion, it’s quite simple to tell when one’s friends or loved ones have been replaced. Elizabeth (Brooke Adams) is one of the first to notice when her boyfriend Geoffrey (Art Hindle) is uninterested and standoffish. She breaks down and tells her friend and colleague who works for the health department, Matthew (Donald Sutherland). Matt suggests she visit a psychiatrist he knows.
Dr. Kibner (Leonard Nimoy) tries to reassure Elizabeth and claims that her delusions are based on a need to get out of the relationship.
Meanwhile, Matthew starts to notice oddities and abnormalities in the behavior of both friends and strangers. The first event transpires when an injured man (Kevin McCarthy) runs in front of his car, screaming out warnings. He is killed in front of Matthew and the dead body is surrounded by apathetic onlookers.
Once he arrives at a book signing of Dr. Kibner, Matthew phones the police who are as unconcerned as the onlookers.
Things become even odder when Matt’s friend Jack (Jeff Goldblum) discovers a disgusting body on the bed of a bathhouse he owns. Jack calls Matt to come down. Matthew reviews both that body which slightly resembles Jack, and is then shocked when he finds a double that resembles Jack’s wife Nancy (Veronica Carthright). Matthew calls the police but when they finally respond, the bodies have disappeared.
As more and more people are replaced and those who are in the highest official positions are aliens, the question is will anyone survive or will the pod people accomplish their goal and replace every person?
From start to finish, this is a nail-biter. It’s a fun sci-fi flick that reminds me of cult classics like THE STEPFORD WIVES (1975), THE STUFF (1985) and even great TWILIGHT ZONE episodes like TO SERVE MAN (1962).
The conclusion is fantastic and has gone down historically as one of the best of all time.
One great aspect of this version is the respect it has for its predecessor. The best way this is shown is that the star of the 1956 film, Kevin McCarthy, has a cameo in this film. I love Kevin McCarthy. My first intro to McCarthy’s work was in an 80s TV movie called THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (1985). I loved him then and I loved him now.
Beyond just McCarthy’s cameo, the casting could not have been superior for this movie. Veronica Cartright is one of my favorite actresses. Interestingly, she had a role in the remake THE INVASION (2007). Whenever I see her, I always remember the scene from THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK (1987) in the church when bugs come out of her mouth. She’s a very versatile actress who has been in so many great productions and adds something to each one of them.
Jeff Goldblum was another great pick for this. The intensity and arrogance he conveyed played remarkably well against Donald Sutherland whose character tries to remain calm and think it all out as his own anxiety begins to build. Both actors are tremendous.
Lastly, I must admit I was shocked by Leonard Nimoy. I always just think Spock when I see him, but here he fell into the role and showed his abilities as an actor and that he was far from a one trick pony. STAR TREK is such a global phenomenon, nonetheless it was so refreshing to see him star and own a completely different type of character.
Scared Stiff Rating: 8.5/10
