Despite Kidman Talent, ‘The Invasion’ Whittles Down to Cliché Puking Alien Zombies
CHICAGO – “The 11th Hour,” which opens on Aug. 17, is an aggressive environmentalist portrayal of our past, present and potentially dire future.It discusses the concept that the Earth is a living, breathing organism and humans are making it “sick”. If we continue plaguing the planet without reversing the trend, the film portends that our race could erase entirely and the Earth flourish.
Nicole Kidman in “The Invasion”.
Photo courtesy of IMDb
Are we indeed the problem? In “The Invasion,” which also opens on Aug. 17, writers Jack Finney and Dave Kajganich along with director Oliver Hirschbiegel also wrangle this pickle in their new sci-fi thriller.
Washington, D.C. psychiatrist Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) helps unearth an alien epidemic that sweeps the planet and alters human behavior. She launches into a sleep-starved killing spree to keep her son alive in a now-emotionally barren planet.
Are we better off with such an alien disease in widespread consciousness or do we fight to save our global abode?
Nicole Kidman in “The Invasion”.
Photo courtesy of IMDb
While there’s a Hollywood entertainment factor in this picture, its most redeeming quality is whittled down to Kidman’s performance. Even with her fluctuating Aussie, southern and east coast accents, she still manages to pull it off and make us stare.
Political jabs at America’s slow reaction time to humanitarian priorities are an ongoing theme in this film.
Acting like you’re not acting in a monotone, emotionless, redundant “we come from France” conehead voice but at a lower pitch sure gets old fast. Please inject my eyeball with some McDonald’s fry grease. “Sean of the Dead” had it right with comedy.
Nicole Kidman in “The Invasion”.
Photo courtesy of IMDb
The laugh-worthy sequences came purely from the sheer ridiculousness of what was intended to be dramatic, life-threatening situations that should have pulled our heartstrings. They pulled our legs instead.
If you’re into dumbed down dialogue, flaming cars, cliché “save the world” concepts and puking alien zombies, then this Bud’s for you. Personally, I wish I would have stayed home and watched TV fuzz.
By Phil Tadros, Emilie Rose Bishop
Staff Writers
HollywoodChicago.com
Labels: dave_kajganich, emilie_rose_bishop, jack_finney, nicole_kidman, oliver_hirschbiegel, phil_tadros, review, the_11th_hour, the_invasion
Listen to this article!
Interview: 
“
“