Invaders From Mars
Hooper loopy
Release Date: 13 July
1986 | PG | Blu- ray Director: Tobe Hooper Cast: Karen Black, Hunter Carson, Timothy Bottoms, Laraine Newman, James Karen, Bud Cort, Louise Fletcher
Remakes of ’ 50s
favourites were all the rage in the ’ 80s. Of them all, Texas Chain Saw Massacre director Tobe Hooper’s Invaders From Mars ( produced by schlockbuster specialists Cannon) is one of the least well- regarded. Which seems a little harsh.
It follows the original closely, with a boy spotting a UFO landing, noticing his parents are acting oddly, realising they’re under alien control, and leading the Marines in an attack on a buried spaceship.
The 1953 film is basically Invasion Of The Body Snatchers for kids; told very much from a child’s perspective, it plays on the fear that parents or teachers might suddenly turn against you. The remake seems more aimed at ironic adults, with added swearing, OTT performances and goofy gags – here, young David rumbles that his teacher’s been taken over when he finds her gobbling down a frog!
It’ll probably appeal to modern kids far more than the ’ 50s version, though, thanks to Stan Winston’s weird creature designs. Great ambulatory bollocks with daggers for teeth, they’re a memorable upgrade on the original’s men- ingreen- velour. So while Invaders From Mars can’t match The Thing or The Fly it’s certainly up there with 1988’ s The Blob for sheer fun. Extras: Interviews with the concept artist, the production designer, an effects guy and a “Cannon associate”, plus a look at some concept art. Ian Berriman Actor Jimmy Hunt, who played the kid in the original film, plays the police chief in the remake.