Movie Review Monday: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Welcome to another awesome edition of Movie Review Monday!
This week's movie is the 1978 version of the classic sci-fi thriller, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, starring Donald Sutherland, Jeff Goldblum, and the recently passed Leonard Nimoy (RIP).
Taking most of its queues from the original 1956 version (even having a clever cameo to boot), this version of the film has more of an edge to it, with a bit more violence, more visual thrills, and even some slight nudity. If you've seen the original, this is an interesting remake but the basic storyline is the same so there are not many surprises.
I'm not sure what the point behind this movie being made was since the original provides a timeless tale of paranoia, emotions, and fighting an insidious conformity. This movie also has been remade twice (once in 1993 and again in 2007), neither seeming to have the same impact as the others. The 1978 version does have an unexpected ending, which has unfortunately been spoiled for many people, me included, in the nearly four decades after it's release. As such, it lessened the impact since I was expecting it the whole time.
This phenomenon is a common occurrence for me since I've been trying to watch a lot of classic sci-fi movies that often have some twist involved but it has been spoiled or parodied since its original release. This movie suffers in that way for me but I would still recommend it for anyone who hasn't had the movie spoiled for them. It is a solid film and maintains the thrills and tension of the original. If you haven't seen the original, I'd recommend that one first as it is a foundational sci-fi film.
Check out Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), streaming right now on Netflix!