Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
An American village is visited by some unknown life form which leaves the women of the village pregnant. Nine months later, the babies are born, and they all look normal, but it doesn't take the "parents" long to realize that the kids are not human or humane.
John Carpenter's remake of the 1960 British classic is a competent but largely uninspired retread. The plot faithfully follows the original's premise but adds little new tension or depth, feeling somewhat flat in its pacing. The acting is serviceable with Christopher Reeve and Kirstie Alley lending credibility, though the material doesn't give them much to work with. Cinematography is adequately atmospheric in Carpenter's signature style but lacks the visual inventiveness of his best work. As a remake of an already-adapted novel, novelty is low — it doesn't meaningfully reinterpret the source or differentiate itself enough from its predecessor. The ending, while delivering the expected confrontation, feels rushed and unsatisfying, lacking the dread-building payoff the setup deserves.