Invaders from mars
One of Tobe Hoopers Cannon films, this is a remake of a 50's red scare that's updated to take a look at 80's America. Essentially a bodysnatchers type of film it focuses on a young boy who witnesses a strange light in the sky one night. His parents go and investigate but come back 'changed'. Gradually the whole town begins to be surreptitiously taken over by the Martians, the only indications being an X on the back of the neck. Fortunately the boy has assistance from his teacher (played by the actors real life mum Karen Black) and begin to fight back against the Alien menace.
I know Tobe Hoopers Cannon output divides audiences, here this is certainly a production hamstrung by budgetary issues and re-editing that really detract from Hooper's intentions. However I still think this is a really underrated effort from the director. It really captures the bold visual style attempted in the original that adds a deliberate air of artificiality or at least unreality to the film that comes from its showing events from the young boys perspective. The set design and creature effects are good and its approach of showing the Bodysnatchers as the decimation of small town values is interesting but ultimately flawed thanks to the film not delivering the directors intentions. That said I do feel the film is very entertaining and far from the worst remake I've ever seen (**cough..The fog..cough...nightmare on elm street..cough..)
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