4 Star

No Sleep Till D.C.

After fifty-five years, it was deemed time to do a remake of the 1956 film ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’, so in 2007 first time writer David Kajganich (True Story, A Bigger Splash) brings the story into a new century and shows its sensibilities. Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall, Five Minutes of Heaven) who has two big stars to take the lead, in this sci-fi thriller. Now in a 4K limited edition with loads of special features (see below) it is a thrilling ride through the eyes of a woman who sees everything around her change. For better or worse? Watch and see.

Disaster has befallen Space-shuttle Patriot, it has broken up during re-entry, sending debris over two-hundred miles wide from DC to Dallas, showering peoples homes and fields. Tucker Kaufman (Jeremy Northam, Gosford Park, Cypher) from the CDC, has been called in to be briefed on the current situation. He is told that the shuttle has been infected by some sort of virus, which has survived both the coldness of space and the raging heat of re-entry.

On his way out, a young girl gives him a small piece of debris which pricks his finger.

Meanwhile, Kaufman’s ex-wife Dr Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman, Strangerland, Paddington, The Others) is enjoying her work as psychiatrist and her regular patient Wendy (Veronica Cartwright, Flight of the Navigator, Invasion of the Body Snatchers) has come to see her again. But this time she has a different story to tell.

My husband is, not, my husband.

She tells Carol of the change in her husband, how their tempestuous relationship has completely changed and now he has no emotions.

Later, Carol tells her friend Dr Ben Driscoll (Daniel Craig, Logan Lucky, Casino Royale. Knives Out) about the strange blob that she found on her son Oliver’s (Jackson Bond, Memorial Day, Killer Movie) trick or treat sweets. Ben knows another doctor who would know more about it, Dr Stephen Galeano (Jeffrey Wright, The Batman, American Fiction), he tells them that it is a spore that takes over the brain during REM sleep.

Witness as the world around Carol, Ben, Stephen and Ollie turns upside down for them. Feel the fear. With tons of special features, Arrow Video has put together a cracking sci-fi 4K package.

They’re among us. They’re here!

The Invasion is available from Arrow Video

 

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Brand-new audio commentary by film critics Andrea Subissati and Alexandra West, co-hosts of The Faculty of Horror podcast
Body Snatchers and Beyond, a new visual essay by film scholar Alexandra Heller Nicholas
That Bug That’s Going Around, a new visual essay exploring The Invasion as pandemic prophecy by film scholar Josh Nelson
We’ve Been Snatched Before, an archival featurette from 2007
The Invasion: A New Story, an archival featurette from 2007
The Invasion: On the Set, an archival featurette from 2007
The Invasion: Snatched, an archival featurette from 2007
Theatrical trailer
Image gallery
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by film critics William Bibbiani and Sally Christie
Reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
Double-sided fold out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket