Strange Invaders

Rating:
Summary: Beware the Avon lady!
Review: A well-intentioned sci-fi romp that suffers a bit due to an indecisive director.He starts out with a campy, affectionate spoof of 50's sci-fi films (a la "Matinee"); but at midpoint does a 180 degree spin and gets "serious". In spite of this problem,the appealing performers hold your interest. Paul LeMat is an etymologist (who should have looked closer at his ex-wife's anatomy!)and Nancy Allen is the "Weekly World News"-type writer who joins him on an "X-Files" style investigation. There are some very funny bits, especially involving an Avon lady (who redefines the concept of "doing a face peel"). You'll have to look fast for a clever visual gag involving Steven Spielberg's photo. There's enough quirky charm here to even forgive the scene showing someone playing a video arcade game (in the 1950's?!).Note of irony: a subplot involving LeMat's daughter eerily pre-sages the Elian Gonzales situation (talk about an illegal alien!) Mostly harmless.

Rating:
Summary: Such a great sci-fi movie!
Review: Both an entertaining sci-fi spoof and a satisfying example of the genre in and of itself. Searching for his missing ex-wife, hero Paul LeMat travels to her hometown of Centerville (aka "Anytown, USA"), where everyone seems a bit odd, and nothing seems to have changed much since 1958. Could the town have been taken over ... by aliens?! That laser-beaming finger might be a clue! Let the scary but good-natured fun begin. Genre fans will want to watch closely for the many homages to films and TV series from the 1950's through the early 1980's including "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", "Lost in Space" (June Lockhart and Mark Goddard have small roles), "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", and dozens more. Other viewers may want to simply concentrate on the fine performances of LeMat, Louise Fletcher, Michael Lerner, Wallace Shawn, and especially leading lady Nancy Allen whose uniquely sassy charm serves the film well. The strangest performance is given by Diana Scarwid, who plays LeMat's ex-wife; she recites her lines in the same flat, sing-song voice that she used to play the adult Christina Crawford in "Mommie Dearest", and while her tone is distractingly obnoxious, she's impossible to dislike.

The widescreen DVD presentation, though not anamorphic, is completely acceptable and beautifully showcases the often gorgeous cinematography. The sound and video tranfers are fine, although the source print does seem a bit grainy near the beginning of the movie. Extras include a director's commentary and the Original Theatrical Trailer. Overall, a very nice edition of a film that deservedly enjoys a small - but loyal - cult following.

Rating:
Summary: Invitingly Weird!
Review: Both an entertaining sci-fi spoof and a satisfying example of the genre in and of itself. Searching for his missing ex-wife, hero Paul LeMat travels to her hometown of Centerville (aka "Anytown, USA"), where everyone seems a bit odd, and nothing seems to have changed much since 1958. Could the town have been taken over ... by aliens?! That laser-beaming finger might be a clue! Let the scary but good-natured fun begin. Genre fans will want to watch closely for the many homages to films and TV series from the 1950's through the early 1980's including "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", "Lost in Space" (June Lockhart and Mark Goddard have small roles), "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", and dozens more. Other viewers may want to simply concentrate on the fine performances of LeMat, Louise Fletcher, Michael Lerner, Wallace Shawn, and especially leading lady Nancy Allen whose uniquely sassy charm serves the film well. The strangest performance is given by Diana Scarwid, who plays LeMat's ex-wife; she recites her lines in the same flat, sing-song voice that she used to play the adult Christina Crawford in "Mommie Dearest", and while her tone is distractingly obnoxious, she's impossible to dislike.

The widescreen DVD presentation, though not anamorphic, is completely acceptable and beautifully showcases the often gorgeous cinematography. The sound and video tranfers are fine, although the source print does seem a bit grainy near the beginning of the movie. Extras include a director's commentary and the Original Theatrical Trailer. Overall, a very nice edition of a film that deservedly enjoys a small - but loyal - cult following.

Rating:
Summary: Invitingly Weird!
Review: Both an entertaining sci-fi spoof and a satisfying example of the genre in and of itself. Searching for his missing ex-wife, hero Paul LeMat travels to her hometown of Centerville (aka "Anytown, USA"), where everyone seems a bit odd, and nothing seems to have changed much since 1958. Could the town have been taken over ... by aliens?! That laser-beaming finger might be a clue! Let the scary but good-natured fun begin. Genre fans will want to watch closely for the many homages to films and TV series from the 1950's through the early 1980's including "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", "Lost in Space" (June Lockhart and Mark Goddard have small roles), "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", and dozens more. Other viewers may want to simply concentrate on the fine performances of LeMat, Louise Fletcher, Michael Lerner, Wallace Shawn, and especially leading lady Nancy Allen whose uniquely sassy charm serves the film well. The strangest performance is given by Diana Scarwid, who plays LeMat's ex-wife; she recites her lines in the same flat, sing-song voice that she used to play the adult Christina Crawford in "Mommie Dearest", and while her tone is distractingly obnoxious, she's impossible to dislike.

The widescreen DVD presentation, though not anamorphic, is completely acceptable and beautifully showcases the often gorgeous cinematography. The sound and video tranfers are fine, although the source print does seem a bit grainy near the beginning of the movie. Extras include a director's commentary and the Original Theatrical Trailer. Overall, a very nice edition of a film that deservedly enjoys a small - but loyal - cult following.

Rating:
Summary: Strange Indeed
Review: For so fine an actress as Nancy Allen, not one of her best roles, but just another "twice told tale". Better than the last version of Strange Invaders and protrays better special effects than the orginal film {too many re-makes these days} with more belivable aliens this time. Still, it rates as a fare movie for sci-fi fans that like alien style tales. I added it to my library because I like Nancy Allen movies.

Rating:
Summary: Very Entertaining
Review: I remember seeing Strange Invaders back in the mid 80's. It really was an interesting movie. Now, watching it again, I can see that this film is a great homage to the "alien" movies of the 50's. Many of the scenes (especially the opening scenes) are very dark, murky and a little off focus, but many of the 50's films were this way too. It was made to look like a cheap movie. Even the opening credits are a bit odd. Once the plot gets going though, you are treated to a good story with decent special effects. The cast is top notch and they do a great job with this "tongue and cheek" material. Be sure to listen for an old R.E.M. song in the background (when LeMat is feeding his dog) and look for 2 Lost in Space cast members in small supporting roles. Now, if we can just get this in widescreen and on DVD.....

Rating:
Summary: Such a great sci-fi movie!
Review: I remember seeing this movie back in the early eighties...and it was a really good one, with lots of wierd imagery and unexpected scenes. After a while, they didn't show it any more, and I couldn't ever find it on video until now...which made me buy it as soon as I could...and I loved it all the more! I recommend this movie to anyone who likes a sci-fi movie with unexpected twists.

Rating:
Summary: A major disappointment
Review: It's obvious that the producers had good intentions for STRANGE INVADERS. Unfortunately I found the result tired, forced and lazy; despite the presence of cult faves Kenneth Tobey (THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD, BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS), June Lockhart (TV's LOST IN SPACE) and Fiona Lewis (DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN, THE FURY). The acting is ham-fisted and this "spoof" of 50s alien invasion movies is almost a complete wash out.

Rating:
Summary: Nancy Allen Runs Off with 1983 Classic, 'Strange Invaders'
Review: The movie Strange Invaders has been a favorite since I saw it in the early 80's on HBO. The movie, re-released for purchase for the first time since its original release in 1984, heralds very special effects (amazing even by the standards of the new millenium).

This homage to the 1950's martian classics brings together a great cast: Nancy Allen brings a great deal of depth to her role as Betty Walker, the tabloid reporter hot on the trail of the clandestine "visitors". Other actresses may have faltered considereing the circumstances, but Allen takes the ball and runs with it. Her solid performance adds the extra initiative that the viewer needs to actually care what happens to the cast. Paul LeMat, although a usual favorite, plays his role as Charles Bigelow a bit too stiff but for the most gives an impressive performance. Oscar nominees Diana Scarwid (as Margaret, Charlie's alien ex-wife and mother of their child) and Michael Lerner (as Willie, the now-locked-up key to understanding why the aliens are here on earth) co-star with One Flew Over the Kookoo's Nest Oscar Winner Louise Flether, who seems disgusted that after winning an Academy Award, her agent allowed her to get fifth billing in Strange Invaders.

The great special effects, chillingly memorable score, tongue-in-cheek humor mixed with genuine thrills and the great performances (most notably the wonderful Nancy Allen who has been stuck in supporting roles in recent flicks like Steven Soderberg's Clooney-Lopez hit Out Of Sight and the Christopher Walken-Michael Rappaport mafia comedy Kiss Toledo Goodbye)

Yes, it IS Strange, but campy good fun, too. Now MGM just needs to release this on DVD and all will be good....strange, but good.

Rating:
Summary: Flawed but fun
Review: The premise of this movie is that the tales of aliens in our midst are true and indeed that they have been here for over two decades ,preparing the ground for an eventual takeover .They are now getting ready to make their move .
This looks good and the visual style of the movie belies its relatively modest budget .Add to this some impressive looking aliens and a cast of able performers .including PaulLeMat , Louise Fletcher ,Diane Scarwid and the always admirable Nancy Allen ,and the ingredients are in place for a minor classic of the genre .The big problem lies with the script which lacks sharpness and plot development resulting in a movie that is always enjoyable but never quite makes the transition from good to very good

Well worth watching though -but it could have beeb better with a sharper script