The Invasion

Most reviews are knocking this movie based on their knowledge of how the movie was made, not on the actual movie, which is a crock of crap if you ask me. I think the acting in it is good, all around, (Veronica Cartwright is always underappreciated) so what's with reviewers talking about how Nicole Kidman seems like an emotionless doll? And how Daniel Craig is underused. Did we even watch the same movie? Hello.

And as far as there not being any tension here, give me a break. The scene in the pharmacy is a prime example of great tension here. Granted, the movie did feel a little disjointed in terms of its styles (at times it feels like the action is coming from two or three different voices), but the dramatic scenes play similarly (tensely).

I won't say this is a more effective film than previous incarnations of The Invasion of The Body Snatchers, because, overall, it's not. It does feel a little confused about what it's trying to say, unlike the others, which were clearer in their messages against conformity, complacency, and what makes a good citizen of the U.S. This version tries more, I think, and for that, it should be applauded. Like I said, its messages aren't as clear as the others, which speaks volumes about the way ideas about terrorism, citizenry, identity, have changed in the last ten years. Not to mention playing with people's fears (by the government, by individuals, by the people we love and who we think love us). This is by far a more sophisticated, more intellectual movie than the previous versions. But it fails because of that too. Because it tries to address multiple issues, because it isn't a horror movie or a thriller with one undertone, but many.

Great horror (and even crap horror) will always be used to get across subversive ideas. This one's no different, in that respect.