100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 21: Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Director: Philip Kaufman

Genre: Science Fiction/ Horror/ Thriller

Runtime: 115 minutes

Year: 1978

Starring: Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, Veronica Cartwright, Leonard Nimoy, Art Hindle, Lelia Goldoni, Kevin McCarthy, Don Siegel, Tom Luddy, Stan Ritchie, David Fisher, Tom Dahlgren, Garry Goodrow, Jerry Walter, Maurice Argent, Sam Conti, Robert Duvall

Description: In San Francisco, a group of people discover the human race is being replaced one by one, with clones devoid of emotion.

 

Review: This “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is a remake from the 1956 version. In San Francisco mankind is taken over by duplicates. Because the original took place in a small town, the claustrophobic feel is not as present, but here the big crowd scares you. Matthew and his friends can only rely on each other. The bigger the crowd, the bigger that oppressive feeling is.

This all makes the movie a success. They take the time to reveal the happenings, the slow buildup helps building the tension. The movie is well made, the camerawork is good and the use of light and dark. And some of the action sequences are also very impressive. The thriller and psychological horror aspect are clearly present. Because of the suspicion, claustrophobia and the fear of losing your own personality.

Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams do a good job as Matthew and Elizabeth. Also Veronica Cartwright is very believable and shows a wide range of human emotions. Leonard Nimoy and Jeff Goldblum also perform very well.

“Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is of high quality and definitely one of the best science fiction movies ever made. The movie captivates you till the end and that surprising twist still haunts me. A definite must see.

Rating: 4,5/ 5