Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

The Puppet Masters Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 9, 2018

Bringing the work of Robert A. Heinlein to the screen isn’t easy. Just ask Paul Verhoeven, who transformed “Starship Troopers” into an orgy of excess, upsetting fans in the process. For 1994’s “The Puppet Masters,” the screenplay (credited to Ted Elliot, Terry Rossio, and David Goyer) tries to be respectful of the source material for as long as possible, and the sci-fi aspects are what keep the feature afloat for its first half. The film doesn’t stay inspired, with director Stuart Orme losing his way as the story deepens, making areas of the endeavor ridiculous when they should be emotionally devastating, and he generally loses interest in selling the stranger aspects of the tale, peeling alien intimidation off the finished product.

A flying saucer has landed in rural Iowa, containing a farm of space slugs capable of attaching to human hosts via their brain stem and controlling them with an alien hive mind. Called in to investigate is CIA authority Andrew (Donald Sutherland), his son, Agent Sam (Eric Thal), and NASA specialist Mary (Julie Warner), with the trio discovering how the slugs manage to expand their takeover in a short amount of time. With anyone capable of being controlled by the invasion, the government agents try to figure out some type of defense, learning the true power of the slugs as Sam is the first to be overcome, providing key insights into the endgame for the invaders, who are spreading across the Midwest, with plans to devour the world in mere weeks.

The Red Scare inspiration for Heinlein’s original work has been literalized for the big screen adaptation, which keeps the alien menace distinctly otherworldly, realized here as slimy, small stingray-like creatures with wiggly tendrils and an appetite for human hosts, overcoming Earthlings without trouble, expanding their numbers in a short amount of time. Heinlein arrived at the “Body Snatchers” story first, but Orme tends to ignore that, playing a lengthy game of “possessed/not possessed,” with characters caught giving a piggyback ride to the aliens turned into robotic creatures…sometimes. The screenplay isn’t big on maintaining rules for host behavior, with some scenes identifying the stillness of the puppeted, while others have them engaging in acting to achieve takeover goals, making one wonder why the aliens don’t just put on a show the entire time to avoid suspicion.

Initial scenes of discovery are compelling, with Andrew, Sam, and Mary growing aware of the extent of alien influence, watching as the plague reaches inside government walls, soon targeting the President and military forces. Even Sam is hit with a slug, which taps into his deepest fears and desires, leaving him an emotional wreck. Thal isn’t strong enough of an actor to handle such complexity of reaction, with a scene involving Sam’s mental breakdown while taking a shower representative of Orme’s tone-deaf direction, which often transforms interesting asides into family antagonism and sheer penetrative PTSD into absurdity. And there’s a lot of that in “The Puppet Masters,” including the introduction of a romance between Sam and Mary, who shouldn’t really be wasting time on googly eyes during an alien apocalypse, but the writing prioritizes warmth over sci-fi logic, which ends up pausing potential momentum to chase pure silliness (Orme doesn’t miss any chance to get Thal out of his clothes).

The Puppet Masters Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"The Puppet Masters" was previously issued on Blu-ray in 2012, and the AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation on the 2018 disc doesn't try to improve matters with a fresh scan. The transfers look alike (Kino Lorber is a tad darker), delivering an older but passably detailed examination of frame particulars. Facial surfaces are soft but acceptable, and costuming is appreciable, with crisp suits prominent during the viewing experience. Colors are a bit flat, lacking energy with wilder hues found with alien interactions, and Iowan greenery doesn't quite have the pop it should. Skintones run a little hot at times. Delineation is satisfactory. Source isn't plagued with points of damage. Some mild banding is detected.

The Puppet Masters Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix is generally unremarkable, and it requires a significant boost in volume to really make it come alive. Dialogue exchanges aren't threatened, but they're very quiet at times, even dealing with Thal, who doesn't possess vocal authority. Sound effects also lack punch, with physical hits and gunshots missing power, and low-end response is tepid when dealing with body blows and explosions. Scoring fares a bit better, with adequate instrumentation. Surrounds are sparingly used, giving atmospherics some attention.

The Puppet Masters Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (six pages) contains an unedited essay by Samuel R. Delany.

• Commentary features director Stuart Orme and editor David Yardley.

• "The Puppet Grand Master" (29:04, HD) presents a short summary of Robert Heinlein's career and creative viewpoints, as funneled through interviews with a few writers and admirers. Biographical information is provided, creating shape to the author's world view, having lived through World War I, the Depression, and spending time in the military before illness ended his career. The interviewees make a clear point about Heinlein's respect for the sci-fi literary community, sharing personal interactions, but the featurette does underline his restless political beliefs, including longstanding support for the Vietnam War. Focus does return to "The Puppet Masters," with the book celebrated and the film… tolerated. Hollywood adventures for Heinlein are identified, including controversy with Roger Corman over the true inspiration for 1958's "The Brain Eaters." The author's considerable influence over readership and government ambition closes out the exploration. Note: some slight synch issues are present here.

• "Get Slugged" (10:57, HD) sits down with actress Julie Warner, who admits she never heard of Heinlein before making "The Puppet Masters." After her audition, research was in order, along with concentration on creating reality for this world, with the cast trying to play things as seriously as possible. Warner details character motivation and reflects on her co-stars, also denying any major tinkering with the screenplay. Most interesting are her memories of working with the slugs, identifying many of the technical achievements in the picture. And she shares continued fan interest in "The Puppet Masters," which is a popular topic during her convention appearances.

• "Strange Invasion" (8:45, HD) moves on to Keith David, who's a bit more guarded about his filming experiences on "The Puppet Masters." There's praise for Donald Sutherland (along with a few enigmatic comments about the actor's process) and fond memories of co- stars such as Will Patton and Eric Thal. David shares his love for death scenes and his feelings on sci-fi fans, and discusses the enduring legacy of "They Live" and "The Thing."

• "Alien Me, Alien You" (8:36, HD) is a truly scattered conversation with Richard Belzer, who doesn't really mention "The Puppet Masters" much beyond his audition and performance choices, preferring to veer off into conspiracy theories involving aliens, JFK, and secret levels of government, labeling himself a "coincidence theorist."

• "Larry Odien Pulls the Strings" (13:48, HD) is a jovial chat with the refreshingly animated creature designer of "The Puppet Masters." Odien recounts his entrance into the industry (inspired by "Jaws"), eventually working his way to Greg Cannom's shop. Odien shares concept art concerning the development of the slugs, working through various designs before settling on a stingray-inspired shape. Camera tests are included, perfecting the look of the alien enemies, and Odien discusses production interruption due to the Northridge Earthquake. The creature guy also shares his personal collection of slugs, showing off props rescued from the trash, and a special slug display plaque offered as a wrap gift.

• Image Gallery (2:46) provides a better look at Odien's creature designs.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:45, SD) is included.

The Puppet Masters Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Certain elements of "The Puppet Masters" shine, including the space slugs, which look terrific as they embark on their macabre takeover plan, easily creating film highlights whenever the feature concentrates on their slithery ways. However, bright spots are few and far between, with overacting (Sutherland feels the need to narrate his every action) and distracted plotting wearing the effort down, eventually arriving at a conclusion that contains major alien reveals Orme is incapable of capturing without clunky, B-movie limitations that fail to pay off early mysteries. "The Puppet Masters" has all the intent in the world to give Heinlein a proper widescreen home, but the execution presented here lacks edge, restraint, and sinister intentions.