TERMINAL INVASION
How lucky was I that on the same day Bruce Campbell's "My Name is Bruce" came out that the long awaited DVD release of the Sci-Fi channel classic "Terminal Invasion" also starring Bruce came out. I have had this movie recorded on vhs for ever, since it debuted on the Sci-Fi Channel years ago. So of course we watched this movie as part of our marathon that ended with "My Name is Bruce", this one right before it since I bought them at the same time. Now I must say that this is a classic with out a doubt but I mean that in the sense that it is a classic for the Sci-Fi Channel, think about it this film had a low budget and also was restrained by being a TV movie. So with that said for a TV movie this is by far a classic in my mind
Deep in the mountains a car is pushing threw a snow storm trying to reach its destination in time, the reason is they are carrying a convict [Campbell] and transporting him to another prison. While driving they crash into a tree and are forced to find shelter else where, the find a small airport full of people who are stuck waiting for the storm to pass. Naturally they are not happy that they are in the company of a convicted murderer, still they must deal with it. Once everything is set up we meet a preacher who talks with the cops and prisoner in the bathroom but all is not what it seems, turns out the preacher is a creature [that rhymes] from another planet. Of course after he kills the guards are reluctant hero [Campbell] kills the alien, naturally all the people there swear he killed them as there is no trace of the preacher [they disintegrate after they die]. So from here the movie goes into a kind of who is who type film since no one knows who else could be an alien, of course that is after the witness them for them selves. So they all must survive the night and each other in order to make it out alive, if they can trust each other.
I love the story behind this film it really is an entertaining plot and keeps you guessing as well as to who is who. Writers Lewis Abernathy, John Jarrell, and Robinson Young should be credited for their story line because it really is quite good. Sure the dialogue could use some work and some of the characters seem flat, but hey this is a Sci-Fi Channel made for TV movie. Also director Sean S. Cunningham who is famous for the original Friday The 13th movie does a good job with this movie and keeps things moving nicely and keeps you guessing on who's who. I can't say enough good things about this movie since I enjoyed so much, sure it is low budget but it is what it is. Sure at times the film doesn't make sense, but I won't give things away. Still this is an enjoyable movie that even with its flaws makes for a good time.
Bruce Campbell of course does a great job as Jack the convict who must rise up to help them make it through the night. He gives another great performance on another low budget flick that honestly may not have been as good with out him, ok it would not have been. Kedar Brown also turns in a good performance as Darian and that is all I can say on him, can't ruin it. C. David Johnson does a good job as well as does most of the other cast but to be honest some of them need to go back to class, hate to say that but it is true. Most of the cast turn in believable performances but the ones who do not know how to make the flat characters come to life struggle. With that said it is still a fun movie that actually is not easy to predict as far as whom are aliens, and that is true.
Over all I really believe that for this type of film this is a classic in that realm, and you should buy it. The DVD comes with a wonderful commentary from director Sean S. Cunningham and executive producer Chuck Simon, both speak not only of the film and the actors but also what everyday people can do now a days to get into the business and learn. This was a wonderful film and a classic Sci-Fi flick, come one and all and purchase this film. Terminal Invasion
With any flick that's made for the Sci-Fi Channel, you pretty much know what you're going to get. Terminal Invasion would typically fall under this category, except for the fact that it stars Bruce "Evil Dead" Campbell, and he alone makes this worth watching. Campbell stars as a death-row convict who, along with a small group of people, are stranded as a nasty blizzard rolls in. Things go from bad to worse however when it is revealed that there are aliens in disguise among the group, and it isn't long before they all start wondering who's who and the body count starts to mount. As said before, Terminal Invasion would fall under the usual kind of Sci-Fi Channel drek, but Campbell manages to save it, regardless of the budget limitations and sloppy direction from original Friday the 13th helmer Sean S. Cunningham. All in all, Terminal Invasion is really only worth seeing if you're a Bruce Campbell fan, and you all know who are. Also featuring Star Trek: Deep Space Nine vet Chase Masterson and Daily Show correspondant Jason Jones.
Bruce has done a number of B Science Fiction movies, and this is one of the better ones. You will have fun with all his B movies but this one stands out a little more because of a good story, great cast, and expert directing. Production values are excellent and help the movie feel real. You will feel you're at the airport with the rest the passengers waiting to board a small plane. Bruce is a prisoner that we know has murdered someone, but not the circumstances. He is being transported from jail to another location when they wreck in a snowstorm. They end up at the airport along with a bunch of stranded people wanting to fly out. The heavy snow isn't the worst of their worries, an alien taking human form is killing people. Problem is poor Bruce gets blamed for it. My rating is closer to three and a half stars, but for Bruce I round up. If you like some comedy with your SciFi, you will probably enjoy it. If you're a Bruce Campbell fan, you'll love it. I think this one fits into the Bruce Cult category. Good quality DVD with plenty of replayability. If you enjoyed this catch "Bubba Ho-Tep". This dropped dramatically in price by at least ten dollars. I highly recommend you grab this one whether you are Bruce Campbell fan or you just enjoy a good B SciFi.
CA Luster - Mystery - Airport - B-movie - Aliens'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
