The Invasion

Nicole Kidman's character, Carol, who is a psychiatrist, knows something's going on when her little boy keeps having nightmares. Well, just wait: he'll never get to sleep again after...

Naw. It isn't THAT scary.

If you've seen one Invasion of the Body Snatchers, you know the plot. The original, iconic version where Kevin McCarthy throws himself on a windshield in the beginning of the film, a portent of things to come. The Donald Sutherland version where advances in technology and make-up give us a definitely creepy effect as we see how the pod people are made. And then there's Invasion, a new version offering few thrills already covered. There are some changes in plot, to be sure, but no significant changes.

The cast almost rises above it all. Nicole Kidman is thinly beautiful in her professional suits, until her makeup steadily washes off as time, and the danger, increases. Daniel Craig, as her doctor boyfriend, is a solid influence; I almost believe him when he tells us to just go to sleep, and all the ills of mankind will be cured. And Jeremy Northam, poor Jeremy. We usually see him in Jane Austen epics; he's reduced here to being the ex-husband, already taken over, who just repeats simple sentences without emotion.

If you grew up on horror films that have become slasher films, anything after the original Halloween, go back and see the original Invasion, and have a little talk with crazed Kevin McCarthy. You won't regret it. Just don't go to sleep.

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