Invasion of the Body Snatchers

--Reviewed by Lindy Loo

Plotline: A small-town doctor returns home to find that things in the town have gone awry--folks are acting strange, as though a mass hysteria of mental problems is sweeping through. Folks are accusing other folks of not actually BEING who they're supposed to be. Things start quickly unraveling as pods are discovered and duplicates of already-existing people are found as well.

Scariness factor: I love the notion of this movie--that we may not be who we think we are and that others may not be as well. But, well, it's a 1950's flick, and so is a bit lacking with regard to scare-factor.

Originality: I'm doing away with this category unless it's extremely pertinent, as it's starting to get on my nerves.

Gross-Out Factor: (New category) Given the fact that it was made in the 1950's, the gross-out factor is of course very very low. No gushing blood, no ripped off heads. Rest assured.

Complaints: The same old idiotic shit that people do in horror movies that puts them in more peril than they originally were in. Oh, and WHO WEARS FANCY DRESSES ALL DAY LONG? I mean, dude--the female love interest shows up spontaneously at the doctor's office in a strapless poofy dress to "just drop by." Maybe this is more of a women's lib complaint, but jesus christ am I happy that we don't dress like that any more. *Rebuttoning corset*

High Points: Moreso the premise than anything. The idea is a creepy one and calls into question metaphysical ideas about what makes us who we are and defines us as human beings and individuals.

Overall: 1950's horror flicks don't offer (me at least) the same kind of scares as those from the 60's and on, so watching Invasion of the Body Snatchers stemmed more from a desire to dip into the classics and expand my horror movie pool than anything else. But all in all, it was a fun watch--not too scary at all, offering no jumps or tense moments, but enjoyable.

Grade: B+