My opinion on the film was not overly expectant - I'd glanced at some reviews - most panning it. So because of that I had a pleasant surprise. I found it a rather interesting re-telling of the 'old tale'; the corollary-inducing novel by Jack Finney. I thought director Oliver Hirschbiegel's juxtaposing of non-linear timelines and events was quite intelligently presented. Daniel Craig is relegated to a minor one-dimensional role and Kidman is, as usual, wonderfully feminine and visually expressive. The Invasion hints at current events being politically representational (background audio news clips are frequently present) -  but not in a preachy, annoying manner. The storyline has enough differences to make the connection to the original as more an 'homage' than an obvious duplication. Anyway, the narrative base is becoming iconic in our culture whether reflected in new age ideologies, founded (or unfounded) terrorist fears, biotechnology or apocalyptic anxiety. As Kissinger stated - 'Even paranoids have enemies'.

I think this is far better than most critics wished, or rather dared, to express. You don't score points with cineastes extolling modern remakes (especially augmented ones) - see Cuarón's Great Expectations or the more recent, and popular, 3:10 to Yuma as prime examples that this reviewer thought immensely entertaining revisions. To be fair - the characterizations, aside from Kidman's Dr. Benell, are fairly, surface, weak. Although, some may enjoy it for other emotionally based strengths (fear, survival-ism, love of your children...). Hey, to each his own. 

Warner's SD progressive, anamorphic and dual-layered DVD looks competent - clean, bright and fairly detailed. Compression noise is occasionally there but hopefully diminished in the upcoming high-definition visions (that we will also eventually review). Without benefit of exposure to 1080P resolution I probably would be less critical of this image which, although looks fine in SD, will eventually seem very weak next to Blu-ray or HD (my guess). Anyway, I see no prominent deficiencies to report. This looks, and sounds (5.1) as good as any major modern film transferred to DVD by a major studio. No one should be disappointed in the image or audio quality.

There are two DUBs offered and optional English, French or Spanish subtitles supporting the audio.

Extras offer no director commentary (which might have been intriguing, i.e. possibly controversial) but we get a documentary touching on some of the politicalities potentially present - with past McCarthyism anxiety and even Legionaries disease being discussed - it runs at about 20 minutes. Plus, there are, three very short featurettes (3 X 3 minutes each) with various cast and crew giving sound-bites. Kind of skimping in the supplements but I expect this DVD should do well sales-wise. As I stated, I enjoyed the tense, edgy with unpredictable directions. If you are very keen you may wish to await the, predictably more vibrant, hi-def options - released at the same time. The film is no masterpiece but it is definitely worth watching for strong entertainment value.

Gary W. Tooze