Daniel Craig Resurrects Classic Sci-Fi Thriller

What Is The Invasion About?

Although Daniel Craig is primarily known for his role as James Bond, he also starred in the 2007 sci-fi horror film The Invasion. This loose remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, based on Jack Finney's 1954 novel The Body Snatchers, features a star-studded cast including Nicole Kidman. Despite this, The Invasion remains relatively unknown to many viewers even over a decade after its release.

The Invasion follows the well-established formula of sci-fi movies centered around the Body Snatchers trope. While it doesn't necessarily bring anything new to the table, it tells a captivating story about a world ravaged by a terrifying virus. What transpires in The Invasion, and how does it compare to other films that use the Body Snatchers trope?

The Invasion features a mysterious alien entity that infiltrates the body of CDC director Tucker Kaufman (Jeremy Northman) after a Space Shuttle lands on Earth. Dr. Ben Driscoll (Daniel Craig) and Dr. Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) embark on a mission to uncover the truth and save humanity from the strange invasion. Despite its happy ending, The Invasion's Rotten Tomatoes rating leaves much to be desired. With only a 20% Tomatometer rating based on 164 reviews and a 40% Audience Score from over 100,000 ratings, the film fails to showcase the talents of the highly acclaimed Craig and Kidman.

The Invasion may not have the same level of recognition as the James Bond franchise, but it still manages to offer viewers some enjoyable moments. Although it may not be the most innovative or captivating story ever told, it does adhere to the familiar formula of films centered around viral outbreaks. And for the most part, it succeeds in this regard.

Initially slated for a release in August of 2006, The Invasion faced negative reception during test screenings. However, the Wachowski siblings, known for their work on The Matrix franchise, rewrote 30% of the screenplay, resulting in a more successful screening.

Unlike other films like Contagion, The Invasion explores the concept of a virus that alters human behavior, rather than simply causing physical illness. It's a disturbing sight to see characters transformed into something unsettling, yet still visually unchanged. The film maintains a consistently eerie atmosphere that is sure to leave audiences feeling tense.

​​​​What Are The Other Versions Of The Body Snatchers?

The Body Snatchers theme is a popular one in science fiction, having been explored in three different movies. The original Invasion of the Body Snatchers, released in 1956, starred Dana Wynter and Kevin McCarthy. It was later remade in 1978, featuring Jeff Goldblum, Veronica Cartwright, Leonard Nimroy, Brooke Adams, and Donald Sutherland. The third installment, Body Snatchers, was released in 1993. However, it was not well-received and is generally considered to be a disappointment.

The original movies, released in 1956 and 1978, may not hold up to modern horror standards, but they were certainly unsettling for their time. The term "pod people" became a popular cultural reference after the release of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Although the 1956 version was groundbreaking, the 1978 version is the one that most people remember due to its satisfying conclusion. Donald Sutherland's character, Matthew Bennell, points and screams at Veronica Cartwright's character, Nancy Bellicec, revealing that they are the last remaining humans on Earth. This scene leaves audiences with a haunting sense of loneliness. Unfortunately, the 1993 version, Body Snatchers, is often overlooked and forgettable. However, when comparing the four movies, the 1978 version stands out the most thanks to Sutherland's standout performance and its unforgettable conclusion. The Invasion, while not receiving as much praise, is still an underrated sci-fi film from the 90s that provides some entertainment.