I have to admit up front that Nicole Kidman is one of my favorite actresses which I assume positively colors any movie that she's associated with. With that said, I really enjoyed this updated version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956). The German director, Oliver Hirschbiegel and Dave Kajganich, an unknown screenwriter have created an elegant, frentic, and emotional compelling horror thriller that directly uses the theme of humanity and its diversity of emotions to fantastic affect. Unclouded by hidden agendas or possible background noise, this movie uses the current Iraqi conflict, the nuclear threat of North Korea, and the socialization of Latin America more as a counterbalance to the alien invasion. What is fascinating about this movie is that logical counterargument about what an emotional humanity is doing to itself. The action and pacing fit well with maintaining the angst and the fear factor throughout the movie. The sequel is better than the original classic for a contemporary audience for its introduction of the heightened dramatic element that highlights the very dialectical theme of love and hate and emotional nothingness that forms the basis of all these movies. The scenes of mother and son, the emotional confusion, the sustained element of having to control and remain unemotional on the outside are all riveting to experience in this movie, much of indirectly shown in the original movie when the demonstration of emotions was much more supposedly frowned upon. The car chase scene appeared to be a step up in its physical impact while maintaining a good resemblance to possible reality. Along with 1408, these two horror movies are marking their own individual marks on the genre and a solid credit to film-making - among the best of horror as well as contenders for underrated movies of the year. I could not find anything I would have done differently as a director.

Oops! Wrong thread placement. This is a horror movie not a science fiction/fantasy movie. I guess Invasion temporarily invaded my logical and emotional balance. Sorry. Anybody who has computer talent is welcome to link or transfer this thread to the horror forum.