Customer Reviews

The Puppet Masters

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've been apprehensive about watching this movie because of the generally poor reviews. Thus, it has taken me nine years to get around to watching it. I'm glad I did. The movie is reasonably faithful to the well-written book by Robert A. Heinlein. There are departures from the book to keep the movie moving along, but the essence of the movie remains faithful to the story.

One of the interesting things about the book and the movie, which some reviewers have pointed to as poor acting, is that Donald Sutherland (as Andrew Nivens) and Eric Thal (as Sam Nivens, Andrew's son) seem to be relatively expressionless. Both characters were described as being rather stoic, nearly emotionless people in Heinlein's book. It's difficult to portray that type of character on the screen because the acting can come across as wooden or emotionless. Eric Thal acted as Sam Nivens was written by Heinlein. I am not sufficiently familiar with Eric Thal to comment on his acting abilities in general, but I reasonably satisfied by his portrayal of Sam. His acting could have been better, but it was acceptable.

One point that I found rather distressing is that in Heinlein's original story, everyone was pretty much running around with minimal clothing by the end of the story to prevent the slugs from hiding in pants or loose underwear, as the slugs were fairly small. The movie minimized this exposure, likely because it might have distracted further from the movie. However, one of society's first reactions in this situation would be to have everyone be nearly nude to prevent slug-ridden people from infiltrating those that were not.

Unfortunately for this movie it came much later than many other movies that may share similar concepts. However, consider that the original novel was published in 1951, and pre-dates the vast majority of movies such as "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", "Alien" and the great host of other alien possession movies. Thus, all these other movies may be derivative from the book "The Puppet Masters", but not the other way around, particularly considering how faithful the movie was to the book.

There have been few movie-makers brave enough to attempt filming a Heinlein book; unfortunate, because Heinlein is one of the most influential science fiction writers of all time. The two recent movies based on Heinlein's books are B-movies (this movie and "Starship Troopers"), but for all their flaws they are a very rare treat for hard-core science fiction fans and for Heinlein fans. I admit I stretched a little to rate this movie four stars, but I own the DVD and I will watch this movie again.

Do NOT confuse this movie with the similarly titled, low-budget series of "Puppet Master" films about demonic marionettes!

"The Puppet Masters" (1994) DVD is definitely worth a viewing or two, and...you shouldn't pass up the opportunity to buy this DVD for your collection. If some of the material seems trite, keep in mind that this is a near-faithful adaptation of Robert Heinlein's book of the same title, as originally published in 1951. Many elements that are overly familiar to today's sci-fi fans originated here.

This film boasts good performances (Donald Sutherland, Eric Thal) and some creepy special effects. The first 30 minutes or so are especially well crafted. There are lulls but also surprises, including a convention center scene that is highly exciting, and some suspenseful military scenes, too. The last half-hour degenerates somewhat (in my opinion) with a fight that goes on for too long and the by now standard "It's over"/"Oh, it's not over" stuff, but all in all I have few reservations about recommending this underrated movie.

This is a movie of alien invasion through the control of humans. The aliens arrive in a flash of light that is witnessed by three boys (not two) who set off to see what is up.

Enter Donald Sutherland as the head of a team investigating the phenomenon. They find a curious setup. The three kids are charging people to see the space ship. This is obviously not a real space ship, so what is going on?

As we find out, we have been invaded by small aliens that attach themselves to the human nervous system and then control them. They are spreading quickly.

The aliens are working at spreading their numbers as well as their influence. They try to sabotage Sutherland's team as well as aim at government officials.

The aliens keep busy and the team keeps trying to contain and predict them. Witty lines and fast scenes keep the film moving to its surprising conclusion.

A must for sci-fi and Heinlein fans. Great effects, neat monsters and a good story. Check it out.

Sci fi fans will know that PUPPET MASTERS, based on Robert Heinlein's book, has surfaced twice before in the two INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHER movies. Ironically, Donald Sutherland, who starred in the 80s remake, is in this one, as well. PUPPET MASTERS is different from the BODY SNATCHER in that the ultimate darkness of those two is defeated by an upbeat, man beats the alien ending. This movie also gives us some really frightening looking creatures and some breathtaking action sequences. Sutherland is his usual sturdy self; Eric Thal is quite good as his son; and Julie Warner is very good as the woman scientist. The movie has menace, and while it is not as atmospheric as the SNATCHER movies, it comes across more action oriented, and there's nothing wrong with that, when it is handled this well.

The Puppet Masters is one of those films that most people will pass over, thinking it is similar to those murderous "puppet" movies made by one of those straight to video companies.

I'll admit that I watched this film not because I was aching to see it but because it had an interesting sounding premise for a sci-fi film - one that seemed very familiar. I'm not a huge sci-fi buff, but I'll give them their due when warranted.

I do like Donald Sutherland. He has truly been a venerable screen actor.

In this film, Sutherland plays a government operative charged with discovering the truth about an possible UFO landing in Iowa. Joining him is his secret service-like son, played very well by Eric Thal. Rounding out their investigative group is a NASA scientist played by Julie Warner. Thal and Warner are both very attractive and athletic looking. Thal has the looks of a fashion model and the body of a tri-athlete. When he peels off his shirt you can see every sinuey muscle in his chest and abdomen. This is not a guy that I would want to have to go up against. And that fact plays out as he and the team are forced to face a formidable foe in the aliens who have landed.

The Puppet Masters is supposedly the source material for the Invasion of the Body Snatchers films. Written by Robert Heinlien, the book (I've not read it) is supposedly very similar to this movie, but not to the Body Snatcher movies.

The aliens in this film don't envelope the humans as in the early films and then replicate them. They are parasitic and take over their human host's minds.

This movie has many exciting moments and will have you on the edge of your seat quite often. I found it refreshingly simplistic in its approach - lacking the early films' attempt to maintain Heinlien's supposed inferences to the McCarthyism of the 1950's. Instead, I saw a pure sci-fi film that really was believable but for one key point. Richard Belzer becomes infected with an alien and then has it removed. He goes through severe withdrawals when the creature is removed and ends up committing suicide. Subsequent removals of aliens from victims do not result in withdrawals Belzer experienced and certainly do not result in suicides. In fact, the freed victims seem to have a strong resolve to them. You might write this off to a stronger resolve than Belzer's character, except that he is a government agent who should have such a strong resolve.

That one point aside, the movie does maintain as much continuity as can be shown and maintains its "believability."

No - it's not great - but within its genre, this film aint too bad.

Have never read the book, but am a fan of Heinlen, so watched this based on the reviews it received.

As others pointed out, the movie starts well, but ..
.. it goes downhill fast. The end scene had me squirming in my seat, had to fastforward, couldn't watch anymore. Just get this damned movie over with.

So my questions are:
1) Did I miss something - the first human to have the alien removed killed himself from withdrawal symptons, (pity none of the hospital staff saw that coming, since I did). Yet later we see our heroes and several million other people having the aliens detatched with no apparent withdrawal.
2) Did Heinlen really write a scene in the book which has two heroes exchanging machine gun fire with aliens in an enclosed space apparently immune to all the bullets that come their way, yet hitting their target every time?
3) Why would the head of a secret government agency be messing around in an area which is obviously not secure yet - couldn't see that scene coming?

If I had a couple of hours to waste, I'm sure I could find many more questions, but sorry this film just isn't worth it.

Still worth watching for the firat hour or so, but fast forward through the last 1/2 hour, you know what's coming, and you are not going to be surprised.

Les.

It's probably worthwhile to mention that I have not had an opportunity to read the source material, in this case a novel by Robert A. Heinlein published in the early 1950s, that the film The Puppet Masters (1994) was based on, so I can't speak towards what made it into the movie and what didn't...co-written by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio (both of whom worked on films like Small Soldiers, Shrek, and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl), and David S. Goyer (Dark City, Blade, Batman Begins) and directed by Stuart Orme, the film stars Donald Sutherland (Animal House, Space Cowboys, Cold Mountain), Eric Thal (A Stranger Among Us, Six Degrees of Separation), and Julie Warner (Doc Hollywood, Tommy Boy). Also appearing is Keith David (They Live, The Quick and the Dead), Will Patton (Armageddon, Remember the Titans), Richard Belzer ("Homicide: Life on the Street"), and Yaphet Kotto (Truck Turner, Alien).

The film begins as we witness a strange phenomenon in the sky in a small, midwestern town, drawing the attention of a number of slack jawed yokels. Shortly afterwards some gooberment people show up, namely Andrew Nivens (Sutherland), head of a secret agency called the Office of Scientific Intelligence, his son Sam Nivens (Thal), an agent of the aforementioned group, Dr. Mary Sefton, an exobiologist on loan from NASA, and some scrub agent played by Belzer. The cursory investigation turns up some interesting things, the main thing being that people in Iowa seem especially strong and exhibit violent tendencies. Well, it turns out some wee, flat, cartilaginous, fish-like, intelligent, parasitic aliens have come to our little corner of the universe, latching onto the backs of humans, giving them complete control over the actions of their hosts. The trio manages to capture one of the buggers and return with it to Washington for further investigation. The big question now seems to be exactly what do these visitors want? Now I'm no rocket scientist, but I'd guess it would be something along the lines of planetary conquest...and sure enough, various plans come to light, one involving an attempt on `assimilating' the big cheese hisself (I'm speaking of the President of these here United States). As Mary and her team work desperately to better understand the creatures (and uncover exploitable weaknesses), the gooberment deploys the army to contain the sinister invasion, but these efforts are in vain as the aliens seem to be multiplying at an exponential rate, eventually taking over the great metropolis that is Des Moines, Iowa...quoting a line from another film (specifically 1986 feature Aliens), "I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit"...ultimately events occur, someone within the group is `taken', and a rescue is attempted as agents try to infiltrate the hive. Is the human race destined to become soulless automaton hosts for mini-stingrays from outer space? Perhaps, but would that really be so bad? I mean think about it...how swell it would be to have something else making all your decisions for you, alleviating you of all responsibility? Freewill is over-rated anyhow...I say acquiesce to your slimy, alien masters and enjoy the ride...

As I've said, I haven't read the original source material for this film, so I can't say what was kept and what was changed, but I did enjoy this movie. It starts quick out of the gate and maintains a brisk pace throughout, keeping its focus well. I thought most all the performers did well and I appreciated the chemistry, especially between Thal and Warner's characters. I will say their burgeoning relationship seemed to come on a bit quick, but given their relative appeal, it wasn't completely unbelievable that they should have the primal desire to shag each other. I was slightly disappointed that Warner's character devolved a little as the film carried on, appearing less of a character and more of a classic, sci-fi stereotype (the female in distress needing rescuing), but she does gain some strength again near the end. I really like Sutherland's character, a suave, no nonsense, intelligent, and pragmatic individual willing to sacrifice much in the line of duty. Thal did well in the role of Sam, a character who seemed to get the beating about once every ten minutes throughout the film (the aliens, in controlling their hosts, also imbued them chemically with strength beyond that of normal). If he wasn't getting slapped around or kicked in the head, he was being thrown down the stairs...he did manage to get in a few good licks, though, along with showing us the splendor of his nekkid hindquarters, which I really didn't need to see (I'm sure many a female viewer appreciated it), but whatever. It would have been nice to see a little skin from Ms. Warner if only to offset the visual of a nekkid Eric Thal, but if you want that, you'll have to catch it in one of her other films, a feature titled Doc Hollywood (1991). My favorite scene occurs near the end, as we see our protagonists racing to catch a helicopter, trying to stay ahead of some alien controlled hosts intent on doing them great, bodily harm...as the helicopter, which landed on a rooftop, begins to move off the roof, one doofus makes a leaping effort to grab onto the landing gear, missing it by a mile...it just seemed funny seeing this valiant effort fail miserably, as if the alien completely underestimated its hosts abilities, and paid the ultimate price. I thought the parasitic creatures looked pretty cool, although I didn't understand why in various scenes people were asked to take their shirts off so that the unaffected humans could see if there was an alien on their backs (other than a chance to get see people without their shirts on). Given the size of the creatures, one could have easily determined this with a simple pat down. The biggest bone to pick for me was the ending, something another reviewer has already brought up...I don't want to give anything away, but essentially we see everyone relaxing under the belief the threat is over, but it really isn't, which results in a climatic aerial sequence. While exciting, it felt tacked on and unnecessary, adding very little to the overall production other than an over-the-top ending. Oh well, that's Hollywood for you...other than a few aspects, overall I thought this feature, albeit by the numbers, relatively well written and just a whole lot of fun.

The picture, presented in widescreen (2.35:1), enhanced for 16X9 TVs, looks very sharp and clean, and the Dolby Digital Surround Sound audio comes through clearly. There are no special features included, but there are English subtitles.

Cookieman108

I'm a huge sci-fi fan, most movies are either too weird, too cerebral or not smart enough for me. I'm kinda picky. But this one's just right. It's not the best sci-fi in the world, but it's done well enough to make my ownership list.

This motion picture unlike those of the 21st century, allows breathing room between putting you on the edge of your seat. It sets up the premise without pushing you into it as is so common in recent motion pictures. If you are on the edge of your seat all of the time, nothing stands out. It should build like a roller coaster, slowly, and give you time to relax before hitting another dip. This motion picture does just that.

If your only cinematic experience with Heinlein stories is starship troopers then you are in for a treat. Where starship troopers was possibly the worst movie ever made (not excluding plan 9 from outer space), this film is actually quite good.
The cast is good, if not extraordinary. The big name talent of the film was Donald Sutherland, who did an excellent job of capturing the character found in the book. I was pleased with Julie Warner's perfomance as Mary, and both pleased and surprised by Eric Thal's perfomance as Sam. Granted he did have a disturbing habit of exhibiting emotion with his mouth, but he was a pleasant character.
If you haven't read the book, I highly suggest that you do, it is better. At the same time, I felt that the changes that were made were good ones. It modernized the concept to fit with our current culture and technological level, as opposed to Heinlein's hypothetical, and unrealistic future depiction. The movie flowed fairly well with the exception of the end.
The problem with the end was primarily during the whole encephalitis/cure thread. There was a somewhat abrupt and unpolished feel to this. Perhaps a slight rewrite could have helped.
Whatever its problems, it is an enjoyable piece of science fiction cinema, that I highly recommend to you.

Watch and enjoy