The 80s Sci-Fi Horror Creature Feature Remake Better Than The Original

Invaders from Mars blended the screenplay from the original film with elements of the short story that inspired the latter, written by John Tucker Battle. Dan O’Bannon and Don Jakoby wove these elements into a brilliant sci-fi film that is set in a 1980s town in the Midwestern United States. As important as their contributions were, Cannon’s Pictures’ decision to put horror director Tobe Hooper at the helm was instrumental for bringing the story to life.

Prior to directing Invaders from Mars, Hooper was the mastermind behind The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Poltergeist, and the slasher film The Funhouse. Hooper had a knack for telling a story from multiple perspectives and was especially adept at a film’s events being seen from the eyes of a juvenile. This talent was key in Invaders from Mars, as the protagonist is 12-year-old David Gardner, a pre-teen that is desperate to convince the adults in his circle of influence that the Earth is under attack.

Late one evening, David awakes from noises that he believes are from a thunderstorm. As he peers out his window, he notices a strange spacecraft landing beyond his home on a place called Copper Hill. Of course, his parents do not believe him, but his father agrees to go over the hill to investigate it for him the following day.

The tension builds in Invaders from Mars as his father returns with a strange mark on his neck. His actions and demeanor seem out of character, as do the others that David sees go over Copper Hill. His parents, friends from school, and even his teachers all begin to bear the mark while encouraging others to make their way to the place that David swears is the starting point for an alien invasion.

David finds one ally, the school nurse Linda Magnusson. Invaders from Mars then becomes a race for two unlikely heroes to figure out a way to foil a sinister plot from beyond the stars before a full-scale invasion takes place.

Invaders from Mars is an overlooked 80s classic as well as a fun science fiction film. The dialogue is corny, the story arc predictable, but the atmosphere that Hooper creates is relatable when viewed from the eyes of a kid. It’s an enjoyable way to transport yourself back to a much-romanticized decade, the film itself a time capsule in so many ways for what is so nostalgic about the era.

Horror and sci-fi icons Karen Black (Burnt Offerings, Trilogy of Terror), James Karen (Poltergeist, Return of the Living Dead), and Louise Fletcher (The Exorcist 2: The Heretic, Stephen King‘s Firestarter) round out a cast of veteran actors that also include Saturday Night Live alum Laraine Newman and comedic actor Timothy Bottoms.

Invaders from Mars relies more on the psychological aspects of terror than the visuals that sci-fi and horror films are known for. That being said, the creature effects towards the end of the film were well done, pulled off by special effects genius Stan Winston. The four-time Academy Award winner helped build the film to the perfect climax as the heroes make a move deep inside the aliens’ subterranean lair.

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The film is hokey and predictable, but still a lot of fun. Karen Black and Timothy Bottoms are remarkable in these types of films, and their performances in Invaders from Mars does not disappoint. Louise Fletcher, who plays David’s stern, no-nonsense teacher, brings her A-game to the film and will remind many viewers of that one teacher they always hated. It’s a great choice for a movie night.

Invaders from Mars can be streamed for free on Tubi, or with a subscription to Fubo. You can also catch it On Demand with AppleTV.

To find out more about Invaders from Mars, check out the discussion on GenreVision.