BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Billie Morin This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Chantel Contreras It is both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.

AaronCapenBanner Stuart Orme directed this adaptation of the Robert A. Heinlein novel that stars Donald Sutherland as Andrew Nivens, and Eric Thal as his son Sam, along with Julie Warner as Mary Sefton, who are government scientists investigating a alien spaceship that has landed in the Midwest, and they soon discover that the alien inhabitants have somehow taken over the minds and bodies of residents in a plot to take over the Earth governments. The aliens are slug-like creatures that attach to the back of the host, and our three heroes must do all they can to stop this insidious invasion. Well cast and made, but utterly uninspired, with inconsistent characterizations and plot developments. It's all been done before, and better.

Vomitron_G This adaptation of a Robert A. Heinlein novel puts things right into gear when Eric Thal, Julie Warner and the ever-competent Donald Shutterland rush off to Ambrose, Iowa to investigate a registered UFO landing. However, collective-minded alien parasites have already begun to take over, turning humans into puppets to do their bidding. Writing trio Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio & David S. Goyer manage to tie things up fashionably, but also overworked themselves providing just about everything. Being a mixture of sci-fi, horror, thriller, action and drama, it's safe to say the wholesome feels a bit disjoint at places. The animatronic slug-like parasites by Roy Arbogast & Co. are a fine creation and get plenty of screen-time. Ambitious entertainment.

Lucien Lessard Three top level government agents (Donald Sutherland, Eric Thal and Julie Warner) make a disturbing discovery that extraterrestrial beings have landed on earth and they quickly take over control of the residents in a small midwestern town. The agents find out, they can using their bodies and minds like puppets. While the creatures multiply and spread quickly, the agents have to think fast and destroy these seemingly unstoppable aliens.Directed by Stuart Orme (Best known for directing TV Movies or TV Shows) made an entertaining, science-fiction thriller with an amusing performance by Sutherland as the sardonic lead agent. While Thal and Warner certainly do well in their roles. Since this movie has good creature special make-up effects by Three Time Oscar-Winner:Greg Cannom (Blade, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Hannibal). The feature has good production values but somehow director Orme doesn't have much imagination during some of the rather tense sequences and the climax between Sutherland and Thal is a disappointment with cheap visual effects. The movie is certainly on its best in the first two-thirds of the picture.DVD has an fine anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an good Dolby Surround 2.0 Sound. The DVD doesn't have any special features. "The Puppet Masters" came out in October 1994, it quickly became an box office disappointment and the movie had a lot of imitations before. Which the movie took the edge off and it never really caught any fire. Despite it is based on a novel by Robert A. Heinlein (Starship Troopers). Director Orme certainly wasted some talented actors in small roles like Yaphet Kotto, Richard Belzer, Andrew Robinson and Marshall Bell. Although it is nice to see Keith David (Best known for two John Carpenter movies, "The Thing" and "They Live") in a supporting role. Will Patton seems to be having an great time as the odd-ball scientist. Since the script is pretty good. Written by Ted Elliott (Aladdin, Godzilla "1998", Small Soldiers), Terry Rossio (The Pirates of the Caribbean series, Deja Vu, Shrek) and David S. Goyer (The Blade Trilogy, Dark City, Death Warrant). Although their script was heavily re-written by five screenwriters and the director as well."The Puppet Masters" today, it is certainly an curio. Although exciting at times with an nice leading performances by Sutherland, Thal and Warner. Which Sutherland is no stranger to this kind of movie, since he was in the superior remake as the lead actor in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", which it was directed by Philip Kaufman. Perphas some die-hard science fiction fans, it would make an great double feature with "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and "The Puppet Masters" for one night viewing. Despite some real flaws and an terrible climax, it is still worth viewing. Panavision. (*** ½/*****).

a_digiacomo I read and still re-read, the book and must agree with other commentators; the film is NOT the book or even reasonably "based on" the book. Hollywood can never get the idea that a book is famous because people read it, because the author got "it" right the first time--in published form. They buy rights to film a book, but then change the guts out of the book! I loved only three things in this flick: Julie Warner's comment "bet your dad isn't happy he hired me, can't even do my job" Sutherland's cool emotionlessness until Sam almost dies--it's like without Sam he won't have anyone to abuse who won't tell him to go to heck! The family feeling of the Team. Everyone loves each other enough to be willing to die for their comrades! Too cool! That said, the story is told as one we've seen Way too many times before. And better before too! I suggest to all our readers and commentators on here--Do what I do--make your own movies and show them on public access cable channels in your area! My crew and I have over the years, made 12 films shown all over New York State and Connecticut(though now I live in Florida--near Disney World where the real aliens live and work, LOL)