Synopsis:
Earth (or more specifically – rural Iowa) is invaded by alien slugs who hardwire into human brains in order to control them like some sort of meat puppet in a bid to overrun the planet.
Directed by: Stuart Orme (although he has several IMDB credits, I haven’t seen anything else he has done)
Screenplay by: Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio (they would later team up on Shrek), and David S. Goyer (he’s certainly got the more interesting resume, IMO including credits on Dark City, the Christopher Nolan Batman movies, and Blade)
Based on: The 1951 novel of the same name written by Robert A. Heinlein
My Edition:
KL Studio Classics
Special Features:
- Audio Commentary by director Stuart Orme with editor David Yardley
- Robert A. Heinlein: The Puppet Grand Master documentary
- Get Slugged with Julie Warner
- Strange Invasion with Keith David
- Alien Me, Alien You with Richard Belzer
- Larry Odien Pulls the Strings: The Practical Effects of The Puppet Masters
- Science Fantasy and Soft-Core Porn: Limited Edition Booklet Essay by Samuel R. Delaney
- Newly Commissioned Art by Jacob Phillips
- Animated Photo Gallery – Creature design images
- Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase (wtf is an O-card?)
- Reversible Art (see below, and “ust no one”)
My Thoughts:
I love this movie. There was a brief time in my life when this was the only movie I owned, so I’ve watched it a bunch. Brain-tapping aliens are always good fun (hello, Brain Damage!). I like this one because the aliens are very stingray looking (which was intentional):
Anyway, some of the acting is hammy (at least from the direction of one Eric Thal, aka Andrew Nivens), but overall, this is a pretty intense, slightly scary game of Guess Who? – as in, guess who has an extraterrestrial parasite riding their back and smooshing around in their brains.
Andrew: I can’t believe you shot me.
Sam: Well, what would you have done?
Andrew: Oh, I’d have shot you, of course.
Oh, and do with this what you will, but those little fuckers can roll themselves up into balls, cinnamon roll-style, and you can chuck them at people. I swear to you – it happens.
As for how the movie stacks up agains the book, I can only tell you what I’ve heard (shame on me, I’ve never read the book). But I’ve heard that the book was incredibly sexist in its portrayal of Mary – who despite still being a government agent was basically an empty carrying case for boobs – no brains to be found. This isn’t incredibly surprising based on when it was written, but it’s still disappointing. The movie definitely allows Mary a chance to be viewed as intelligent and observant, but still attractive, which is clearly v. important (although still criminally underutilized in favor of stumpy Thal as Sam).
All in all, this is a super fun movie, but it severely under utilizes its talent in favor of…whatever Eric Thal’s got going on (is it looks?). It needs about 300% more Donald Sutherland, Julie Warner, Keith David, Richard Belzer, and Yaphet Kotto.
I want to leave you with this movie’s most important life lesson: when brain sucking aliens are on the loose, and you’re somehow allowed to leave your government research lab, go home and IMMEDIATELY CLOSE YOUR FUCKING WINDOWS. TO HELL WITH YOUR DUMB, PARASITE-RIDDLED CAT.
My Rating:
This is a solid body-jacking Science Fiction story.
The Puppet Masters Directed by: Stuart Orme Originally Released: October 21, 1994 Kino Lorber Sci-Fi, Horror, Thriller Edition: KL Studio Classics Rated R 109 Minutes
Great review, it sounds like a creepy and fun movie! Great life lesson, RIP that cat. Also had a big laugh at this part: “portrayal of Mary – who despite still being a government agent was basically an empty carrying case for boobs – no brains to be found.”
Actually, the cat was fine. He was just a parasite taxicab. 👍
*snorts* 😂🤣 OMG!