O Escondido

In the few comments I read about this movie, everyone keeps saying it's too bad Jack Sholder didn't make more good ones like this. Perhaps he didn't have as good a script as this one had!

I haven't seen Sholder's other work, at least I don't think I have as I haven't looked at his credits, but it would seem that the script by Jim Kouf may have had something to do with THE HIDDEN being a quality movie? After all, Sholder's name doesn't appear as the writer!!!!

And it's always been said that a good director can make a terrific movie with a good script, because it inspires him/her, but not even a good director can make something from a bad script.

I liked this movie when i first saw it and every time it's on I try and catch what I can of it.

Someone also said this is a "leave your brain at the door" type movie. I don't think so because this movie lets you guess what's happening without explaining everything or hitting you over the head with superfluous dialogue; it doesn't insult your intelligence, and I thank both the writer and director for that.

This movie is extremely well-made for what it is. Fascinating, thought-provoking, it surprised the Hell out of me when I first saw it. This could have been a "gimmick" sci-fi movie, but it's handled deftly by the director, who I had never heard of, and by MacLachlan, who gives a terrific, sensitive, multi-layered performance.

For that matter, most of characters have real dimension to them. This movie transcends a rather bland, run-of-the-mill science fiction story with the chemistry between its characters and the snappy pacing. I like the way the themes of identity and compassion are actually explored instead of just exploited.

This movie is best seen without knowing much about the plot. It starts off as standard action movie where you follow a policeman who is investigating some strange event of a seemingly normal person kind of going crazy and suddenly committing thefts, violence, escaping the police. As the story develops, the story turns in unexpected but very fascinating directions.

The pace is kept high, never does ones attention wander. The acting is good and the story comes over as very real. I won't reveal too much here of what happens later as there are many elements of surprise which adds to the whole experience.

This is one of the movies that I have enjoyed watching several times. My vote is a 9.

I am NOT a major fan of action films, so the fact that I liked "The Hidden" is unusual. The movie is jam-packed full of explosions, gun fire, deaths and mayhem. But it also works as an inventive sci-fi movie...one that pretty much went under the radar back in 1987 when it debuted.

The film has an incredibly simple plot...when the film begins, a maniac is running amok in LA...killing and stealing as if there's no tomorrow. Soon, however, you realize this killer is NOT a typical killer...he's practically indestructible. And, when he's about to die, a disgusting alien pops out of his mouth and inhabits the next person...and begins the murder spree all over again!! However, an oddball who claims to be an FBI agent (Kyle McLaughlen) arrives to assist the lead detective on the case (Michael Nouri) and they are the Earth's best bet to stop this menace.

Despite relying heavily on action and wholesale slaughter, the film is intelligently written and original. It's also an interesting time capsule of the late 1980s...in all its awfulness and excess. Well worth your time.

Law abiding persons start commiting heinous crimes. Two cops are on the case, trying to solve the mystery.

The Hidden is one of the lesser known sci-fi films from the 80s that has gained cult following over the last 30 years and the reason is quite apparent. It is violent, thrilling and quite fun.

Recommended.