It's rare that I watch a movie and actually want the time, energy, and thought invested in it not only returned, but returned with interest. Invasion of the Body Snatchers is one of the most timeless movies ever created, not because of its quality or acting, but because of its flexibility. There have been numerous remakes over the years, each taking a completely different spin on the original, which was based on Cold War tensions and the fear of Communism. The 1978 remake focused on distrust of government in a large city, a reflection of the post-Vietnam perspective on the world. The 1993 and 1994 versions (Body Snatchers and The Puppet Masters - technically a version of Robert A. Heinlein's short story of the same name, but for all intents and purposes the same story) evoked the fear of the growing and powerful military-industrial complex, in the wake of the first Gulf War. This version...well, I suppose it's meant to invoke the fears of an increasingly drug-addled and pacified existence?
This is a movie that had a huge amount of potential, and not only fails to live up to that potential, but capsizes under its weight. Even after reading review after review telling me how bad the movie was, it failed to live up to even those very low expectations. The acting is wooden (was George Lucas the acting coach on set?), the direction is boring, and the cinematography is bland. How anyone could take a story so expansive as this and come out with something this dull, bland, and uninteresting is just absolutely astounding.
I really can't stress enough how bad this movie really is (yet, surprisingly, it's no Haunted Highway still). Even if you're just curious to find out, I would recommend against it. It will ruin any thoughts you have of the acting abilties of any of its cast members. Do NOT see this movie. Ever. You will regret it.
