Official Synopsis:
“This space-age creature feature is crawling with horrifying hordes of Martians hell-bent on stealing your soul – as well as your planet! Little David Gardner’s starry-eyed dreams turn into an out-of-this-world nightmare when invaders from the red planet land in his backyard and unleash their hostilities on unsuspecting earthlings! Paralyzed with fear as the aliens take over the minds of his mom, dad, and even his schoolmates, David must somehow find a way to stop them – before they turn the whole human race into brain-dead zombies!”
David Gardner (Hunter Carson) is a typical boy with wide eyed amazement of the world around him, obsessed with space, largely due to the fact his Dad (Timothy Bottoms) works for NASA. After a night of watching a meteor shower with his Dad, David is awakened by strange lights in the sky, and a large craft of some sort landing over the hill beyond his house. His Dad assures David that it was all a dream, and promises to investigate in the morning.
At breakfast the next morning David anxiously awaits his Dad’s return. When he does, he notices something is not right. This isn’t his Dad at all. He acts very strangely, and has a large wound on the back of his neck. David is left helpless as this imposter infiltrates his life, taking his Mom (Laraine Newman) and several co-workers beyond the hill where they disappear, only to reappear with the same wound.
As David tries to figure out a way to get his family back, he discovers that the reach of the Martian invaders is deeper than he could have possibly imagined. His teacher Mrs. McKeltch (Louise Fletcher) is one of them, and is after David, trying to stop him from exposing their plans.
David turns to the school nurse, Linda (Karen Black), desperately trying to get her to believe his crazy story. After strange events cannot be explained, Linda starts to wonder if David’s story isn’t so crazy after all.
Invaders from Mars is the definition of creature feature. Thanks largely in part to the brilliance of Stan Winston, the make-up and effects are some of the best parts of this film. Tobe Hooper, whose previous films include Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Lifeforce, brings his own style to the film, which in turn gives us some tense and creepy moments that are missing from a lot of the sci-fi genre.
These moments are made even better with the help of Louise Fletcher. Considered one of the greatest antagonists of all time for her role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by the American Film Institue, Fletcher doesn’t hold back her performance here. The scenes with her are absolutely chilling, and although she may not have the same impact as Nurse Ratched, she brings the same charisma that you love to hate in her character.
Unfortunately, Hooper is hindered by limitations, resorting to camera tricks to make it look like there are more creatures than they actually had enough money to make. The choice to use Karen Black’s son to star in the film as David Gardner is also puzzling. It is unclear if he had much or any experience acting before this, but most likely the answer is none at all. There are some scenes that are almost unwatchable due to the bad acting. Yes, granted, it is a child actor and some considerations must be given, but a few more takes and he might have done better!
Now, we’ve all scene these types of films where there is something going on, and it is the child that knows the truth and the adults won’t believe them. The entire time you just want them to listen! It isn’t until the end that everyone finally believes them, and all is good in the world. Well, in Invaders from Mars, it is kind of the opposite. People are too quick to believe David that something is going on. I’m usually one of those who just wishes the adults would listen, but when I finally got what I wanted, it didn’t feel right. I want David to have to work for people to believe him, and I want people who don’t believe him to pay the price for it. Is that too much to ask?
Invaders from Mars starts out well. You really feel the helplessness that David experiences as he loses everyone he loves. There are some great moments filled with tension as David tries to evade capture by the creatures. By the third act, everything kind of falls apart, and we are left with a terrible, clichéd ending that sours the good parts.
Video
Invaders from Mars is presented in 1080p 2.35:1. There are extensive age related issues, including noticeable scratches and blemishes in some of the scenes. There are also a few sections that are rather grainy, but overall the picture is decent. Colors are vibrant, especially during the opening sequence.
Audio
The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. The tracks sound good, with no defects noticed.
Extras
On this set you’re going to see:
Audio Commentary with Director Tobe Hooper
The Martians are Coming! – The Making of Invaders from Mars
Theatrical Trailer & TV Spot
Production Illustration Gallery from Artist William Stout
Storyboards
Still Gallery