Invaders from Mars (1986)
Genre: Scifi / Horror
Duration: 100 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Tobe Hooper
Stars: Hunter Carson, Karen Black and Timothy Bottoms
IMDb score:
5,5 (12.406)
Releasedate: 6 June 1986
Invaders from Mars plot
"Their conquest has already begun. . . . He knows they’re here."
In this remake of the 1950s film of the same name, a boy must battle hostile aliens who control the will of every inhabitant of his village. Fortunately, with the help of a friendly sister, the boy manages to enlist in the army.
Actors and actresses
David Gardner
Linda Magnusson
George Gardner
Ellen Gardner
Gen. Climet Wilson
Mark Weinstein
Mrs. McKeltch
Sgt. Maj. Rinaski
Captain Curtis
Heather
Reviews & comments
Collins
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- 7652 messages
- 4561 votes
Tobe Hooper ventures into the remake of Invaders from Mars (1953). Hooper is particularly known for the pleasant Poltergeist (1982), but also a film like The Funhouse (1981) I really appreciated. Expectations are therefore high in advance. However, the film did not do well in the cinemas. That doesn't always say anything, but in this case I can agree with the cinema audience. Invaders from Mars is disappointing.
I've never seen the original. A real 1950s horror movie. With cardboard characters. With hilarious effects. With a ridiculous story. But what speaks mostly for that film is the 50s charm that flows throughout the film. All very atmospheric elements that provide a lot of goodwill.
The remake doesn't have that charm. The 50s vibe has been replaced by an 80s vibe, but it fails to embrace you. The fuzzy effects are gone. The story has been slightly modified. And Louise Fletcher has been added to the cast as an evil teacher. All improvements that are not real improvements. The film has thus become a solid film, but emotionally it offers nothing exciting.
Actually, the bad feeling already started with the first appearance of the young protagonist. I immediately gave them unearthly treatment. But yes, such pests are like insects. They always survive.
Invaders from Mars is mediocre. Technically the film is ok. The effects are ok. The Martians and their shelter look fine. Other than that I didn't have much fun.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Noodless
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- 10100 messages
- 6209 votes
Nice SF film with some horror elements, so the film is not really accessible for young children. I haven't seen the original 1953 film yet. This remake has a lot of entertainment to offer: hilarious aliens, lots of action moments and quite a bit of humor. The location of the house is also a plus. Given the fact, quite a scary thought to live there. At least the boy isn't annoying and Karen Black plays her part properly. Nice, simple story with a fast pace. 6/10
Translated from Dutch · View original
Bobbejaantje
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- 2365 messages
- 2119 votes
The story is completely in the style of what was already common in the 50s (and it is also a remake) but still (of course) with the 80s touch. Visually nice to look at. I noticed that there is a lot of use of primary colors (blue, red, yellow) in the lighting. A bit like Argento did years before. That always creates a different atmosphere in different settings and therefore gives some variation. In terms of lighting, however, I was most charmed by the expressionist/noir approach in the first half of the film. The play of light and shadow climaxes in the domestic scene in which Hunter Carson's parents are (with their heads) half in the shadows at the moment they 'switched'. The kind of lighting you find in 1940s and 1950s crime movies. It's great that the main roles are played by real life mother and son Karen Balck and Hunter. Gives an extra dimension.
I think the first half of the movie is the best part, with that cranking up of the mystery. Afterwards it gets a bit more generic with the obligatory intervention of the US Army, although that is all nicely done. Homage also for the amazing monstrous set pieces that seem to have walked straight out of a painting by Hieronymus Bosch. Hooper could therefore count on a tried and tested special effects team. Last but not least, Christopher Young has provided a great soundtrack: subtle when necessary and exuberant when necessary.
In 1986 this was a dismal commercial flop for Tobe Hooper. Nevertheless, I've had a lot of fun with this now. A nice science fiction / horror with a touch of camp for a wider audience. Absolutely must.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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