The Invasion (2008, Blu-ray Disc)

The Invasion (2007) is a big budget movie initially directed by German film director Oliver Hirschbiegel and later James McTeigue. The film immediately begins in flashback mode showing Dr. Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) a psychiatrist rambling through pharmacy shelves searching for drugs and caffeine inundated drinks. The scene then moves to the accidental crash of the Patriot Space Shuttle. This incident is investigated by CDC Dr. Tucker Kaufman (Jeremy Northam) who is given a piece of the shuttle by a little girl. Infected by the space shuttle s fragment, he returns home bypasses a late night tryst with his girlfriend and goes to bed. As Dr. Kaufman sleeps the alien organism takes over in dramatic fashion. The scene changes again to Dr. Bennell s son Oliver (Jackson Bond) who awakens from his sleep screaming from a bad dream. Comforted by his mother back to sleep, a new day begins. Carol receives a call from her ex-husband Tucker who has returned from Atlanta, Georgia after four years and has moved back into their old Washington, D.C. home. Tucker demands to see his son Oliver, and despite Carol's concerns she agrees to let him stay the weekend.

The scene changes and we find Carol and her friend Pam walking Oliver and her son Andy to school. Both children are wearing their Halloween costumes and have made plans to go trick-or-treating. Still upset over the call with her ex-husband she spills the beans to her neighbor and best friend Dr. Ben Driscoll who takes her to work. Dr. Carol arrives for her 9:00 o clock appoint. Wendy Lenk has been coming to Carol for treatment four years and states her abusive husband Richard has changed and is no longer abusive admitting she threw a glass at him and he did nothing. Suspicious of her confessions Carol changes her prescription and tells her to call if there are problems. In the interim it s Halloween and as the children examine their candy a strange skin like substance is discovered. Carol takes it to Dr. Driscoll who enlists the help of Dr. Stephen Galeano. In the interim the world believes a dangerous flu is plaguing the world as Carol discovers the true nature of the virus, it s an invasion of epic proportions.

The basic plot revolves around an alien virus that infects its host while sleeping. While sleeping they are mummified in mucous and when they awaken their goal is to spread the emotion draining pathogen. There are several things I liked about this film including its cast, theatrical presentations, cinematography and big budget production value. Honolulu, Hawaii native Nicole Kidman gives an outstanding performance as the devoted and mistrustful mom along with Daniel Craig as the heroic man in waiting. There was no problems type casting Craig since I m still getting use to seeing play James Bond. A notable nod goes to Jeremy Northam obsessed character as he keeps things interesting. Other cast members including Jeffrey Wright, Veronica Cartwright, and young Jackson Bond gave believable presentations. Overall, the story is intriguing as it loosely follows the original "Body Snatchers" offering suspense and PG-13 violence that s familiar.

Unfortunately the material is dry and after the original came out the substance of the movie has been done before. Director Hirschbiegel attempt to spice things up backfires as he tackles sensitive issues that make you think and compare reality to fiction. For example there is a brief radio plug noting the Iraq war. Next the traumatic theme of divorce and it implications on a family, and finally the idea that we are all controlled by plutocracies give cause for alarm. While I understand the writers attempt to keep things reality based, there are times that the material goes overboard with disheartening material that sweeps through the film faster than the virus. Finally, Hirschbiegel's over reliance on flashback technology, chops up the pacing with end results that make The Invasion yet another, average 99 minute movie that will eventually find its way to the bargain bin.


P.S.

The loaded DVD includes the obligatory documentary, and three featurettes which in my opinion should be skipped.