MovieChat Forums > Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) Discussion > Foolish strategy

Foolish strategy

posted 2 years ago by Drooch (5333)
24 replies | jump to latest

I thought this was a great horror film but was a little disappointed that the two leads made some foolish mistakes at the end.

They should have taken it in turns to sleep while the other is on lookout. Instead they’re hiding out in thick foliage which would of course be teeming with pods, and Sutherland leaves her alone to… go listen to some music..?

The characters weren’t that dumb so it felt like a bit of a cheat to get to the ending. I’d have preferred it if the script found a way to keep them intelligent and resourceful, but nevertheless had them overwhelmed by tiredness and outsmarted by the pod-folk.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Another issue with the film (and again - I think it’s a great horror, but when something is universally regarded as great it becomes interesting to look at any shortcomings)

The aliens worked implausibly quickly, and seemingly avoided detection. Most people sleep in a closed room with their partner, or children sleep in rooms of two, three, four or more. You’re telling me they snuck a massive black seed pod into everyone’s bedroom? Without people noticing or having a cohabitor wake up see what was going on?

For a block of flats you’ve got to get up several stories and break into each property, hoping nobody notices the massive pod in the bedroom!

Then you’ve got the fact that the bodies crumple into a hideous mess once the clone is ‘hatched’ - surely millions of people encountered these remains?

Surely at least 25% of the population would have spotted something and started raising hell 🤷🏻‍♂️

[–] Roguemail (1565) 2 years ago

I always got the impresssion that when the pods were in close proximity, not necessarily the same room, they already start to exert control to take over a person, and hence that person will sleep very deeply.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

OK, so how do they get someone in a seventh story apartment?

[–] PaladinNJ (20310) 2 years ago

The new aliens placed the pods where they could be useful. I thought that was made obvious.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Right, so they’ve got to break into a couple’s apartment and leave two large mutant seed pods in their little seventh story bedroom without them noticing.

Plausible that this would be achievable? No.

[–] Roguemail (1565) 2 years ago

As I said earlier, believe the pods can already exert influence from a distance, they don't have to be in the same room.

I know its never stated, but it makes sense to me.

Anyway, who cares? Movies are full of such conceits. Just enjoy it and go with the flow.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

The furthest we see a pod reach is from an outdoor porch to a neighbouring bedroom. How the hell is an outdoor pod going to reach a seventh story apartment in the middle of a city without scores of people noticing?

[–] Roguemail (1565) 2 years ago

I think youre missing my point. I didn't say the pod can physically move close to the person, I said I may be able to exert it's influence over a person from a distance.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

What kind of influence are you referring to and how does this solve the problem of pods assimilating people on a 7th story apartment?

[–] Roguemail (1565) 2 years ago

Dude, I am just speculating. A possible way to explain, maybe they can exert control over large distances...they are alien after all. And maybe not.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Dude, there’s no evidence that they can do that, and if they could then there’d be no need to transport the pods to human-rich areas.

You’re scraping the barrel for excuses for this obvious plot hole and it’s not working.

[–] Roguemail (1565) 2 years ago

No evidence...which us why I said I am speculating.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Well your speculation has failed, just accept that the film has a massive plot hole.

[–] SandyR (7350) 2 years ago

You bring up a good point--I've always thought this movie is about people who don't know how to mind their own business vs. people who want to be left alone, and how the people who can't mind their own business always seem to win.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Yes, it’s like NPC’s vs free-thinking individuals, a distinction that has been made abundantly clear in the last few years. I suspect that’s why this film has had a resurgence.

[–] bobbydallas (8059) 2 years ago

he went to check on the ship thinking it was a means of escape
Liz couldn't move so he left her..

what would you have done?

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Bring her with me.

[–] bobbydallas (8059) 2 years ago

she couldn't walk though

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Sure she could, she was just tired.

[–] bobbydallas (8059) 2 years ago

no man.. watch it again, she broke her ankle and started wobbling

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Assuming that’s the case, leaving her in the middle of lush vegetation which was likely to be teeming with pods was foolish.

[–] bobbydallas (8059) 2 years ago

true.
but then again i guess he didn't wanna carry her ass to the ship in case it wasn't suitable for escape.

then again.. the movie had to kill off some more of our favorite (and naked) characters
; )

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Of course the movie wanted to kill them off. My point is that a well written movie would find ways to kill them without making them suddenly become retarded.

For the most part it was well written, but the contrivances around Elizabeth’s death and the implausibility of sneaking giant pods into people’s bedrooms (especially those living in high rise apartments) was poorly handled.

[–] acidraindrop (3055) 2 years ago

Yeah, I finally saw this movie last year, and I was very disappointed at how they set up the ending like that. Great final shot though of course, nevertheless.