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The Invasion

Nicole Kidman gets freaky in sci-fi thriller

By Geoff Berkshire

August 17, 2007

Critic's Rating:

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Washington D.C. psychiatrist Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) finds herself in the midst of an extraterrestrial epidemic when her estranged husband (Jeremy Northam), an official at the Center for Disease Control, picks up a nasty alien virus at a space shuttle crash site. This latest spin on “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” also stars Daniel Craig as Carol’s doctor boyfriend.

Big question: Does a troubled production history (Craig originally completed work on this film before shooting “Casino Royale,” but the studio ponied up for extensive re-shoots that delayed the release) spell doom for this sci-fi thriller?

Catch it: Designed to give audiences the creeps more than scare them silly, “The Invasion” is a spooky atmospheric B-movie with an A-level star. Kidman’s character is a refreshing action heroine: intelligent, maternal and surprisingly good with a gun. The film also continues what has been a highly political year for Hollywood movies with overt references to current events, a war in which science is the key to victory and the subversive idea that a world at peace isn’t very human.

Skip it: Unfortunately the movie doesn’t know when to stop. Without spoiling anything, let’s just say the conclusion wraps things up too neatly and stresses points that have already been adequately covered.

Bottom line: Even with its flaws “The Invasion” is still eerie, provocative and a solid showcase for Kidman.

Bonus: Never thought you’d see Kidman chugging a bottle of Mountain Dew? Think again…

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