The Invasion (2007)

The Invasion was destined to fail horribly. You can't remake one of the best 1950's B&W sci-fi thrillers and not fail. Still, I was willing to give it chance. I mean this is Nicole Kidman we're talking about. Daniel Craig even gets a pass because he's the new Bond. This, however, is decent.

Carol Bennell (Kidman) is a Washington psychologist who discovers an microbial-alien invasion after a US Space Shuttle plummets to Earth. As patients begin claiming 'my husband is not my husband' and a series of odd events, Carol begins to investigate. Enter the dashing Pediatric doctor, Ben (Craig). The two begin exploring the chain of events and discover the horrible secret being kept by the CDC and that her son, Oliver, may be the cure.

The Invasion is more political than apocalyptic, but that doesn't keep it from being entertaining. Using just a small portion of the original premise, director Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall) still manages to create thrilling paranoia.

Kidman is piercing as mom Carol. She is solid and worth watching. Unfortunately, none of the other characters get anywhere. Even Daniel Craig is mere footnote.

A myriad of little things keeps The Invasion from being truly successful. Goofs are apparent and plots holes are large. Uneven character development and strained dialogue are tough to overcome. Midway, the director senses his mistakes and lets the movie just fizzle out.

For what it is, an average sci-fi thriller, The Invasion isn't bad.