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The Puppet Masters (1994)

 
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Bogmeister
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 1:20 pm    Post subject: The Puppet Masters (1994) Reply with quote

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___________ The Puppet Masters(1994) Trailer


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Based on a sci-fi novel & premise by the famed Robert A. Heinlein, this employs a distinct type of alien invasion threat — parasites which take over humans and use their bodies as hosts for the invasion (see the Star Trek TNG episode Conspiracy as one other example).

In the plot, the whole thing begins in rural Iowa, by the town of Ambrose, with a sudden & quick entry via a wormhole and several kids being the first victims. Pretty soon, there's a tourist trap type of site set up with a supposed downed spaceship.

Government agents led by Donald Sutherland, including Eric Thal, Julie Warner and Richard Belzer, soon investigate the mystery — only it doesn't stay a mystery for too long. Most of the local residents have already been compromised, their bodies and minds controlled by foot-long slug-like aliens which are affixed to their backs (hidden by clothing), with tendrils stuck deep into the brain.

Humans so controlled have enhanced strength and resistance to pain. The agents barely escape with one of the aliens, but the recurring plot twist is that one is never sure who has been taken over. The surest way to remove suspicion is to have people expose their backs.




This is a throwback to seventies alien thrillers and even the fifties, a small scale invasion which never goes beyond the town and county, though the potential is there for worldwide takeover. The multiplication of the alien suckers mentions a figure of 250 billion at one point.

It also resembles the famous Invasion of the Body Snatchers concept, and I'm also wondering if Sutherland was cast here in recognition of his role in the Snatchers '78 remake.

Sutherland is probably the best thing about this film, an old operative in a 'more-secret-than-the-CIA' organization who, due to his cold ruthlessness, may be the best bet in combating such an alien threat.

Sutherland makes the most of such a role, limping about with a cane and directing everyone with a callous style. Eric Thal, besides being a top agent, also happens to play his son, which sets up some unusual tension. There are also good secondary roles for Keith David as another combat agent and Will Patton as an eccentric scientist who admires the alien biology but is helpful in fighting the threat.


There is much talk on the net (in blogs and discussion boards) about how this film flubbed its adaptation of the early novel of such an invasion, mostly due to studio interference and bureaucracy. For example, the novel took place in the future, similar to the Star Trek TNG episode.

This film does sort of lose its way in the 2nd half, throwing in a final unnecessary plot twist in the last minutes. But it's not bad for fans of the genre.

The other drawback for me was a fallback on the cliche about how the main characters manage to survive being controlled, while secondary expendable characters are treated like disposable vermin for the sake of exploitative death-dealing.



BoG's Score: 6.5 out of 10

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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 1:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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I haven't seen this one, but YouTube has the full movie and the picture quality is fairly good.



_________________ The Puppet Masters 1994


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Last edited by Bud Brewster on Thu Nov 30, 2023 12:55 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Gord Green
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 6:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I fell in love with Heinlien's original novel of this book. Like his STARSHIP TROOPERS the powers that be made many changes to the story.

Some of the concepts from the novel have been used in the TV series DARK SKIES from a few years ago.

TPM was written in the early 50's and preceeded BODYSNATCHERS and even EARTH VS FS.



The alien control aspect was used in INVADERS FROM MARS as well.

The book relates a secret invasion of aliens through physical mind control in a sort of cold war 60's environment.





Despite the movies shortcomings it's still pretty good. Just keep in mind Donald Sutherlands character is handled as a just as wordy one as some of those in STARSHIP TROOPERS.

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 7:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

At the 96 World Con two ot the Producers did a panel on what went wrong with the movie.

The problem was the man that Disney put in charge of the whole production. He hated it. He didn't like the story. He didn't like the setting. He didn't want to make the movie.

He vetoed practically everything from the book that they tried to put in the movie.

He didn't want it to take place in the future. He didn't like that they were from outer space. He didn't want the invasion to be worldwide. He didn't want the President of the United States in the movie. He didn't want flying cars. He didn't want them to come to earth in flying saucers (He wanted them to hitchhike on the Space shuttle). The list goes on, and on.

The one shinning thing in the movie was Donald Sutherland as the Old Man. He would have been great if they had done it like the book.

David.
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Gord Green
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 8:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Donald's portrayal of the "Old Man" was very close to the character in the book...At least as far as he was allowed to.

If anyone is interested, the audiobook is available on YouTube : Here...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR1iRGDujCs
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orzel-w
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2023 7:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
...the recurring plot twist is that one is never sure who has been taken over. The surest way to remove suspicion is to have people expose their backs.

As I recall from the book (almost a lifetime ago) everybody was required at first to wear only shorts. This worked only until the aliens took to hiding in the shorts and attaching to the base of the spine.

As soon as that trick was discovered, the shorts had to go as well. (It was, after all, a Heinlein story.) This would have made it more challenging to adapt to a movie at the time.

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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2023 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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Oh dear lord, this whole idea cracks me up! Laughing

First, the aliens attached at the base of neck, so everybody had to wear shorts and no shirts. Then the aliens attached to the base of the spine, so apparently people couldn't wear pants either!

I guess that meant that everybody ended up having to go around wearing nothing but shoes, sleeves-without-shirts, and leggings-without-pants.

Forgive me, guys, but we all know that 95% of the population is not really very attractive without clothes, so this would mean that walking around in public would be an unpleasant experience for all concerned. Sad

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