The Puppet Masters

This adaptation of one of the most significant and famous novels by Robert A. Heinlein, a renowned classic of the sci-fi genre, unfortunately did not turn out well. It desperately lacks atmosphere. Heinlein wrote his novel during the Cold War as a certain parallel to the hysteria of that time concerning spy mania, and the novel can be understood as a metaphor for the witch hunts. This theme had much more potential, and even some cheap, yet professionally made B-movies come out better in comparison. The main characters lack charisma, and the biggest star here is Donald Sutherland, who, by the way, is not that dazzling of an actor. In terms of script, direction, and acting performances, it's a bland affair that is mostly boring. However, Greg Cannom's special effects are decent. Overall impression: 50%. (18.06.2006)

You can't make a successful adaptation with a threat that does not express real danger, an unnecessarily exaggerated extraterrestrial atmosphere, or clichéd conversations in tense moments, or if your only few good ideas are just taken from the original. Here Donald Sutherland is nothing more than a one-eyed man among the blind. (31.07.2007)