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The Puppet Masters (1994) Certificate 15

The Puppet Masters

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Rated 3.0 stars
Average rating
(60%)
 
Starring: Donald Sutherland
Director: Stuart Orme
Studio: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 104 mins
Genres: Horror
Languages: English
Released: May 03, 2004

A parasite which attaches itself to the backs of humans sends tendrils to the brain and controls the victims' minds...

Rating of 2 stars out of 5
Radio Times

This is a dumb incarnation of Robert Heinlein's excellent science-fiction novel, with Donald Sutherland in the lead role. Far from remaining faithful to the book, the film takes liberties with the story in such a way that Heinlein might have objected. If you've seen Sutherland's similarly themed Invasion of the Body Snatchers, you've already got a pretty good idea of what's in store here. While technically competent, this offers little in the way of a plot, unless you count the badly misplaced love scene dropped in the middle of the action, which only serves to slows things down.

Highest rated reviews

6 out of 10 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4.0 stars
under-rated sci-fi

craig grime from bolton, 18th May, 2004

so okay it resembles bodysnatchers, the thing etc (rather appropriately actually, given the films theme) but as this is based on Hienlein's classic novel copyrights are protected... as it stands this movie is better than you might expect. the paranoia is brilliantly evoked and the suspense mounts considerably towards the end. the actors are decent too and at least provide some conviction (especially eric thal as the nominal hero).
this is low budget but it doesn't show - the aliens are creative enough and there is enough action and a little nudity to satisfy the passing viewer.

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Rated 3.0 stars
Average alien invasion

Rustyfilms from , 2nd February, 2010

I kind of half knew what to expect from this. Alien invasion, mind control. ie body snatchers without the physical take over. That's really about it, Donald Sutherland plays a good role, which takes him away from his role in the 70's bodysnatchers film and for the year, the aliens don't look too bad. Although other CGI effects are laughable, you will know when you see them. Worth a watch if you like these kind of films.

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Rated 3.0 stars
X Files Territory

Sean Sutton from London, 15th May, 2005

A reworking of the Bodysnatchers story, but done with some gusto and conviction, it's hard to be unkind about it. Donald Sutherland, now an old hand when it comes to bodysnatching, leads from the front.

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0 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 2.0 stars
Typical B film

A Customer from Deopham, England, 12th April, 2005

Enjoy the 'B' films? Then see this. Plot predictable, Donald Sutherland's acting supported the rest of the cast. Now I know where the aliens from a Star Trek episode with Captain Kirk ended up!

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Most recent reviews

2 out of 8 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 3.0 stars
Corny sci-fi at its best

Dragilex from , 20th February, 2005

This takes the same story that has been done many times before. Alien parasites using humans as hosts and trying to take over the world. There are some scenes that hit that dark note and leave a tingle going down your spine. But they're evened out by huge story jumps. In all a corny but potentially classic sci-fi film.

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