Everyone's a critic: 'The Invasion'

One star (out of four)

"The Invasion" has, to say the least (I will try), an interesting story line. The premise of the movie, another alien invasion, is not a new concept. The writers used the same concept from years past and gave it a new twist: The aliens invade via a germ passed to next person by bodily fluids. When I say bodily fluids, I mean vomit. The infected people either vomit on an uninfected person or vomit in their drink. That part of the movie I could have done without. I am a nurse by trade, but I still do not wish to watch a movie of vomiting aliens.

There is an upside (just one) to the movie: The main character has an all-encompassing love for her son that saves both their lives. Because of this love, her marriage broke up, yet the love was also was her motivation to both find a cure for the invasion and to save her son.

The movie did have potential; however the special effects were too far out there, the saga was long and the overall idea was maddening. I give this movie one star out of four.

-- Angie Flieg

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Two stars (out of four)

With abrupt editing rhythm, "The Invasion" is a complicated remake of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." Alien spores get to the general population when a space shuttle disaster spreads debris everywhere, debris loaded with pulsating spores. In "CSI" mode, these microscopic spores are shown pulsating through the victim's bloodstream. The victims turn into aliens like soulless humans, flat effect versions of their hosts.

Nicole Kidman, a sophisticated actress, seems out of it even before sleep almost overtakes her. Her role as a mother and psychiatrist does not show the full range of her craft, but a bright spot is her relationship with Ben, played by Daniel Craig.

While the pod effect does eliminate war, this part of the theme is undeveloped and you have to watch for all the clues. My heart did jump in the appropriate places, but for the most part, I just wanted to sleep.

-- Reno Anderson