Invaders from Mars (1986)

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It's hard to believe that in 1986 the world was treated to James Cameron's 'Aliens.' Not only was it an awesome sequel to Ridley Scott's 'Alien' movie, but it also set the trend for female role models in science fiction forever. But then you probably already know this. However, what you might not know is that 'Invaders From Mars' was also released that year. It too had a female lead, but it's unlikely that she'll be remembered in such ground-breaking terms as our flamethrower-wielding space lieutenant. She spends her time screaming, getting into trouble and generally being one of the worst representations of women on the big screen since 'Willie' from 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.' But, I'm getting ahead of myself. She's just one part of a much bigger problem.It's always brave of film-makers to produce a film which has a child as the main star, especially if the film isn't really aimed at children to begin with. In fact, it's actually quite hard to see who this film is aimed at. Part of it feels like it should be some PG children's film about a plucky young scamp, accidentally stumbling across an alien plot and then foiling it in a light-hearted manner (think 'The Explorers' in style, but with more tension). However, it then comes across as quite a lot darker in tone, making it almost seem like a horror movie, but without too much gore. As I say, the star is a – very annoying – young boy with an awful haircut (even by eighties standards!) whose home town comes under attack from aliens who take over his parents (amongst others). He therefore runs around shrieking the whole time in an attempt to get people to believe what's happening. Yet, no matter how annoying he comes across, he's still better than the female lead (his teacher) who he constantly has to tell what to do.The reason I watched this film (besides my natural love of sci-fi and eighties cheese-fests) was because of the aliens from Mars. If you look at any advertising relating to this film you'll see that they're featured heavily. And there's a reason – they're the only decent thing in this movie. The monsters really are pretty special for practical/non-CGI effects. It's just a shame that it feels like the whole film's budget has gone on them and they're only it in for a handful of scenes.Okay, so you can probably tell I'm not a massive fan of the film, but – from a personal point of view – the aliens weren't just the only good thing about the film. Eventually, the boy enlists the help of the military to help out and, for once, they're surprisingly competent. Not only that, but James Karen (most famous from his roles in the first two 'Return of the Living Dead' films) also pops up as the general and – as always – he's a treat to watch.The ending was sort of okay too, but it was too little too late. The two leads are possibly some of the most annoying characters ever committed to screen and the cool practical effects just don't warrant sitting down to watch this one.

This is meant to be a Saturday night beer and popcorn movie. Lighten up, kids! Do you not think this cast of established actors, along with a director like Tobe Hooper, did not set out to just have a fun day in the park as they made this movie? The special effects (except for the aliens) are excellent. The kid is very good, he portrays terror every time he encounters the aliens and every time he tries to explain it to an adult and nobody believes him. The scene where he goes over the hill into to glowing pit is very well done and eerie. And the music score is beautiful,especially end credits. All in all, this is an enjoyable movie to just sit back and chillax with.

A boy tries to stop an invasion of his town by aliens who take over the the minds of his parents, his least-liked schoolteacher and other townspeople. With the help of the school nurse, the boy enlists the aid of the U.S. Marines.....Being directed by Tobe Hooper, I assumed (wrongly) that this was going to be an all out horror/Science-Fiction movie that wouldn't pull any punches when it came to killings.As far as I know, this film has never been aired on British TV, and has never been available to buy on Region 2 DVD, So all I knew about this film was the boy with the blonde hair.And I must, say, I was pleasantly surprised with the whole outcome of the film. It's pretty clear by the house and some of the background paintings, that Close Encounters has heavily influenced this film, and this is Hooper trying to do a Spielberg.It's funny in places, but most of all, it's a very effective mild Horror that is suitable for the whole family.The violence is minimal, the creatures are so over the top that they are more like Critters than Aliens, and overall, it appears that David is the person with the most common sense.Louise Fletcher appears as the Mrs. Deagle of the film, but she soon becomes laughable when she is chasing a car down the street.I liked it, but I can understand why the film vanished without a trace.

I'm not a fan of remakes, not at all. I don't see why films that were good in the first place need to be 'updated'. Perhaps a bad film with a nice idea would be worthy but most remakes, especially these days are just cashing in on the success of the original and usually doing a bad job to boot.Invaders From Mars is one of the most famous of the Classic 50's sci-fi films along with Forbidden Planet and War Of The Worlds. It's certainly the most disturbing of the era with paranoia and fear seen from a child's perspective along with some memorable imagery!The big surprise about this remake is that it's actually good. Really good in fact! Of course it's not perfect but it set out to do a task and in my eyes succeeded!I think one of the best things about the film is how it looks. The locations and sets are fantastic, the set of the alien space ship interior and tunnels are superb as are the locations such as the sand pit. This is all the more baffling when you consider that it's made by Canon, a company famous for uber cheap budgets and cutting corners but it certainly doesn't have that feel here. Being made in the 80's the film has that certain warmth to its feel that seemed to be present in films of that era. There is a remarkably strong Spielberg vibe to the whole film mixed in with a good does of John Carpenter from around the same era. Tobe Hooper does a great job with plenty of nice sweeping wide angles crossed with claustrophobic horror type shots and situations and some nice recreation of the iconic scenes of the 50's original such as the fence going over the hill. There are also plenty of snippets of trivia from the original film hidden here and there throughout the film which is a great tribute and obviously shows the film was made with love.Of course it's not perfect, the acting is hammy in parts which sort of ups the cheese value a little but on the whole it's pretty average and doesn't stray much into 'cringe' territory.A special mention and combined criticism must go to the Martian creatures themselves. Stan Winston's workshop created these beasts and although superbly made and animated they seems to not know whether to be scary or goofy, looking formidable with their huge teeth and grunts one might be scared stiff if they didn't look like a giant testicle from the side on.These are minor flaws though in a film that has so obviously been made with a passion for the subject.I love both versions of this film and I honestly think that more people should give it the credit that it is due!