My introduction to Invasion of the Body Snatchers is kind of a fun one. Billy and Gizmo were watching the 1950s original Invasion of the Body Snatchers in Gremlins and I was fascinated by what they were watching and really wanted to see it. My parents did not get me that original movie, but instead, we got the 1978 remake and I liked it, it was one of the few movies that creeped me out as a kid, the ending scene with Donald Sutherland in particular.
How to Download Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Invasion of the Body Snatchers was released on December 22, 1978, You can download or stream the film from a digital platform. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice.
The Movie Review
While most people just think of Donald Sutherland and that iconic pose and screech at the end of the movie when Invasion of the Body Snatchers comes to mind. This movie actually has an incredible cast with Jeff Goldblum, Brooke Adams, Veronica Cartwright, and Spock himself Leonard Nimoy. What I think really sells this movie is that the actors well and truly buy into this story and you feel that it is all real. I think that is why when I saw this as a kid I was so sucked into it and why it left such an impression on me.
The plot of the movie is one that is probably known to most people. Elizabeth Driscol has found a strange plant and after bringing it home has noticed some strange behavior in her boyfriend. She feels like he has changed and that he is no longer who he is, an imposter if you will!
Turns out that this flower/plant is part of an alien race that has come from a dying world to take over Earth and replace all humans with emotionless replicas. Hey, as a kid who loved sci-fi, at the time this was just awesome stuff to me. Even as an adult, having just recently watched the Arrow 4K release, the story holds up. I also have to say that I find it a lot of fun how Invasion of the Body Snatchers has been parodied so many times over the years.
A Gripping Sci-Fi Conspiracy Unfolds
Elizabeth tells her friend and work colleague Matthew what she thinks is going on. This leads to Elizabeth and Matthew figuring out what is going on with these pods and being on the run from the alien doppelgangers. In many ways, it is a big sci-fi conspiracy movie as they race to try and not just save themselves, but hopefully put a stop to the alien’s plans before it is too late for the planet.
This is just as good today as it was when it was first released. Actually, I will go further and say that the Arrow 4K releases makes Invasion of the Body Snatchers an even better movie! The picture quality is a substantial upgrade from the already pretty solid Blu-Ray release. The picture quality along with the amazing surround sound track (although there is no Dolby Atmos track) makes it the ultimate way to experience this movie. Also, this Arrow 4K release has some fantastic documentaries and special features related to the movie as well.
Why Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) Is an All-Time Great Remake
As you have probably already figured out, I love this movie! I would say that Invasion of the Body Snatchers is up there as one of the greatest remakes of all time. I saw this long before I saw the 50s version and that version just does not mean as much to me, although earlier in 2024 that did get a 4K release so I will pick that up at some point and give it another chance. I do want to add that I would probably give this movie a 9/10 in general, but I bumped it up because of how impressed I am with that 4K release.
