Invaders From Mars(1986) | Rant & Movie Review
1,989 views · Published 20 October 2017 · 27:54 · Indexed 21 September 2026
Channel: OcpCommunications · 2017 · Entertainment
My rant and review on the disappointing and dull remake, Invaders From Mars(1986) starring Hunter Carson, Timothy Bottoms, Laraine Newman, Karen Black, James Karen, Bud Cort, and Louise Fletcher. Directed by Tobe Hooper. Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVH4RWzKZvk Trivia The Martian drones were performed by two people back-to-back in one suit. A little person was carried in a sort of backpack on the back of a normal-sized performer. The little person would operate the drone's mouth and smaller arms (as seen when the drones load their weapons) while the full-sized performer made the creature walk and used ski poles to move the longer arms (as seen when the drones "salute" Mrs. McKeltch). The full-sized performer faced the rear of the suit and had to walk backwards so that the creature's knee joints would bend in a "not-human" fashion when it walked. Several actors performed the drones, working in shifts, which meant each performer who did the "walking" for a Martian needed his own custom-made footwear. For the sequence where one of the Martian drones eats Mrs. McKeltch, a special "eating rig" consisting of just the drone's head (with chewing jaw movements) was built for the closeup shots. The rig was built on a "seesaw" device so the drone could throw its head back to swallow. A short burst from a hidden fire extinguisher provided the drone's post-meal belch. Only two Martian drone suits were made for the production. This is most noticeable in scenes where the Marines encounter drones in the tunnels leading to the ship. Clever editing and the use of a fully sculpted and painted but non-mechanized lighting "stand-in" drone (it can be seen coming up right behind David when Mrs. McKeltch sees David and threatens him) created the illusion of multiple Martian drones on the ship. During the final shootout between the Marines and the Martians in the Supreme Intelligence's throne room, a fire broke out. It was quickly contained and no one was hurt, but quick thinking led to the Supreme Intelligence being cut open to let the puppeteers out.
