It really makes no sense how this film could not have worked. Working
off a script based on a Robert A. Heinlein novel, with the venerable
Donald Sutherland in one of the lead roles, and with alien invasion the
subject matter, this should have been at least a seven star Science
Fiction film. As Sci-Fi goes, the superior ones focus more on
futuristic and/or scientific concepts, with action and/or special
effects adding to the spectacle. That is why films like the Star Wars
saga really aren't Sci-Fi, but action/adventure first (and in the case
of Star Wars, fantasy) and science fiction second at best. This film
does delve into the biology and culture of the aliens, but just barely.
Mostly it focuses on hokey special effects and a few watered-down
action scenes to fill up screen time. The aliens themselves are quite
realistic and original, a plus for the film. The chemistry between
Donald Sutherland as the leader of a secret government agency and his
son, played by Eric Thal (an unknown at the time) is actually quite
good. In addition, Julie Warner actually does well as the scientist
working for Sutherland and of course plays the romantic interest for
Sutherland's son. While not a superior actress, she performs
adequately, although her talents are more suited to television, as it
appears this movie was. While most will think, as I did, while reading
the plot synopsis of the film that it is a rip-off of "Invasion of the
Body Snatchers" (Sutherland starred in the remake of this film in
1978), the actual book was published in 1951, prior to the original
film as well as the novel written by Jack Finney. Bottom line: not a
bad movie to watch when you know you will be distracted as it requires
very little of your attention and there are enough action scenes to
move the pace along, but science fiction and Heinlein fans will be
disappointed.
Review of The Puppet Masters
The Puppet Masters
(1994)
Poor Directing, Weak Script & Dialogue Spoil Sci-Fi Thriller
26 August 2007