AJLowell’s Top Ten Alien Invasion Movies
AJLowell presents his top 10 list of Alien Invasion movies.
1. Signs
This 2002 summer flick is without a doubt, Director M. Night Shyamalan’s finest film. It is probably the most realistic approach to the medium, that has ever been attempted on screen. In fact, the quality “Hitchcockian” approach to the story-telling process is why this alien invasion feature resonated so well with moviegoers. Mel Gibson plays the role of a corn-farming preacher who has lost his faith during an extraordinary personal trial. The crop-circles appearing in his fields signals to him a new crucible awaits, and yes it involves aliens. Joaquin Phoenix co-stars as his younger supportive brother. It may not be a roller-coaster ride but, it sure was a nail-biter. It was far above any of the other films on this list and, well deserves its place as number one. And, given Hollywood’s recent slump in creativity, I don’t see this magnificent motion picture, loosing this spot any time soon.
2. Independence Day
From the talents of Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich. This 1996 summer block-buster heralded a revolution within the movie industry. This picture alone triggered a whole gambit of disaster films in its wake. The story is an interesting twist on the “War of the Worlds.” If you’re a fan of the 80’s science fiction television show “V,” this movie might have a familiar subtext to you. It stars a wide variety of on-screen talents. Most notably is Will Smith as the Marine aviator, who leads his squadron of F-18’s against a superior enemy, in a seemingly impossible mission. The special effects are top-notch and, the story resonates with people from every walk of life. Jeff Goldblum co-stars the typecast genius, (Jurassic Park, The Fly.) Together, he and Smith embark on a risky mission to save humanity by piloting a recovered alien fighter, to destroy the mother-ship before its too late.
3. War of the Worlds
The (1953) version was the first screen adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel. It starred Gene Barry and Ann Robinson in this nostalgic masterpiece of science fiction as directed by Byron Haskin. It won the Oscar for best special effects and it stands-up well, even to this day. The story didn’t stray very far from Wells’ original vision, so this film holds a strong position as no.3 in this list. However, the (2005) film starring Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning centers around an estranged New York family, and becomes a metaphor of the rift between children and their parents. The story is simple, Martians invade intent on conquering the earth, humanity’s weapons are useless against the alien’s advance. Though Steven Spielberg directs a brilliant epic of science fiction and horror, with never before seen special effects. It looses out to the ’53 film, largely because that version stayed true to the author’s intended vision. Even if they are both morality plays, the Spielberg film was far more L. Ron Hubbard,…than it was H.G. Wells.
4. Robert Heinlein’s The Puppet Masters
This mesmerizing tale of a stealth alien incursion, stunned audiences around the world. In all likelihood it should be higher on this list but, this screen adaptation of the 1953 Robert Heinlein novel, is relegated to no.4. The 1994 film was directed by Stuart Orme and starred Donald Sutherland and Keith David. The plot was quite similar to that of, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” But, it varied by a wide enough margin to be considered unique. What makes this tale truly frightening, was the subtle and calculated ways the aliens were able to take control. Parasitic aliens attach themselves to human hosts, and form a symbiotic relationship. Unfortunately, the people become mind-slaves of the aliens. The special effects and the performances are quite simply fantastic. But, its the gifted team of actor’s that move this spine-tingling story so brilliantly.
5. Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Based on the novel by Jack Finney. This classical horror genre can count almost as many manifestations, as there are variations of George Romero’s zombie film. The first version of, “The Body Snatchers,” appeared in (1956) It was directed by Don Siegel and starred Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter. A strange spore from outer-space, begins growing murderous duplicates of people. Within hours of it taking hold, an unbreakable cycle forms, and humanity is doomed. It was well received by audiences. However, my favorite version is the (1978) film, starring an outstanding cast of screen greats. Donald Sutherland, Leonard Nimoy, Jeff Goldblum and Veronica Cartwright just to name a few. The second film, was a direct result of the first film, not delivering the director’s intended ending. In fact, a legacy has been established an original cast member reappears in the second feature, and Veronica Cartwright from the second, has a cameo in the (2007) remake starring Nicole Kidman.
6. They Live
Now this 1988 cult-classic by Director John Carpenter also found its way in the top ten list of conspiracy films. It’s a must see! It stars the unlikely hero of wrestling’s badboy, Rowdy Roddy Piper as a down and out construction worker, who wakes up one day with a magical pair of sunglasses that allow him to see the aliens walking among us. He teams up with Keith David and together, they fight to bring down the evil news corporation that is responsible, for humanity’s apathetic decline into slavery. This movie is a timeless classic and fits-in at number six.
7. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Hold the phone! This flick is special, and it will make you feel like kid again There is no other motion picture in the world quite like this one. Now, though the story piggy-backs itself on the (actual story,) of Orson Welles’ Halloween reading of, “The War of the Worlds,” it melds itself perfectly by recapturing the joy of no-holds-bar, heroic, Saturday morning fun. Aliens from planet ten, escape from the eighth dimension and invade earth by hypnotizing Orson Welles back in 1936. Buckaroo Banzai is the rock star, super-genius who leads a group of hand picked friends to save the earth from the fiendish plans of Doctor Lizardo, and his “Lectrode” horde of aliens. The movie plot is straight out of a comic-book, but Director W.D. Richter commands an all-star cast to bring this epic adventure to life. Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Jeff Goldblum and Ellen Barkin will take you on a journey across the eighth dimension.
8. The Day The Earth Stood Still
Another fine example of the original vs. the remake. The first film was released during a time, when tinsel-town thought putting money into science fiction was too risky. Boy were they ever wrong. Before Robert Wise ever directed the “Andromeda Strain,” or, “Star Trek: the motion picture,” he cut his teeth on this Cold War epic. In the original (1951) film, it opened up to audiences the powerful storytelling potential that sci-fi had to offer. In the story, a flying saucer carrying a lone humanoid visitor named “Klaatu,” lands in Washington D.C. He, (Michael Rennie) confronts mankind with the following warning, “Play Nice or, Die!” A sidekick, in the form of an eight foot tall mechanical robot named “Gort,” plays the role of Klaatu’s passive enforcer. Now, the (2008) remake starring Kathy Bates and Keanu Reeves was supposed to the block-buster of the summer. But unfortunately, the same overt political messages that hurt the first film, seem to ruin the second film as well. The first movie is a classic and I never get tired of watching it. The second one?…Well, the left-coast liberals just can’t help telling the world, that America is evil, but Hollywood is a workers paradise! Box-office receipts will dwindle when you piss-off half your damned audience.
9. Men In Black
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. Together this dynamic duo defends the city from off-world criminals from our,…resident ‘Aliens?’ This 1997 film was directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and it really stretched the bounds of CGI (computer generated imagery) special effects. What makes this film special is the original story. Born out of the urban legend of a secret government agency, dedicated to protecting the populous, from UFO’s and aliens. Ed Solomon adapted the script directly from Lowell Cunningham’s graphic novel, of the same name. Rip Torn, Linda Fiorentino and Vincent D’Onofrio complete the all-star cast, in this satire of government cover-up, strange technology and alien assassination. It truly is a white-knuckled rollercoaster ride into the world of the surreal. The only reason this feature doesn’t rank higher on my list, is the fact that it was too much fun.
10. The Thing
Just like the “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” this film is an example of the remake besting the original. Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley and Keith David star in the (1982) film directed by John Carpenter. This movie works, because they stayed true to the original vision. The only “Thing” that changed from the, ’51 film was the advancement in analog special effects, and the method of storytelling. An escaped dog from an artic research lab, arrives at the polar weather station manned by the cast. As it turns out, the dog is a host for an alien creature capable of mimicking other organisms by killing them from the inside out. Though the movie drags in some parts, those scenes were necessary to carry the story along. The plausibility factor should have elevated this flick higher on this list, but it just not quite as fun as some of the previously mentioned. The (1951) film
directed by Howard Hawks was originally called, “The Thing, from another world.” It starred Kenneth Tobey, Margaret Sheridan and Douglas Spencer. (perhaps it was a childhood favorite of John Carpenter) The one issue I have between these two films, is the original actually addresses where the alien came from. Maybe that reason alone puts this film at number ten on this list. Both are great films, full of sci-fi intrigue, bone-chilling thrills and both are well worth your time!
Honorable mentions
Great films that didn’t make it into the top ten, but had to be honorable mentions are as follows; (The Arrival): SETI makes first contact and a clandestine invasion begins (The Abyss): The only film addressing USO’s (the Astronaut’s wife): Crew of astronauts bring back a doppelganging space seed (Close Encounters of the Third Kind): Spielberg’s science fiction classic, now part of popular-culture (Strange Invaders): This is no parody (Lifeforce): ESA mission to Haley’s comet finds vampires from space (Quatermass and the Pit): A great 60’s sci-fi horror (Evolution): Is a fun story, if you don’t take it too seriously (Mars Attacks): Another fun film that recaptures some of that old matinee nostalgia. All the fore mentioned are great films. Fun and well worth your time!
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Now I thought Close Encounters would surely make it onto this list. But,…then I thought about it and, given the story it’s not really an alien invasion film.
Some of those Honorable Mentions, I have’nt thought of in years. Great list!