Rivages mortels

This is one of the many iterations of the "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers" theme of duplicates replacing originals. The title refers to the lake where some kind of vortex is the meeting place of two worlds. The film manages to really build suspense through the first hour, and is quite well done for a TV film. But like so many of these stories, the explanation is far fetched and a bit of a letdown. Having Haley Joel Osment is a plus, in a supporting role, but by the end, what might have been a 9 or 10 gets a generous 8, mainly because it was so captivating for the majority of the film.

Cross `Invasion of the Body Snatchers' with `Journey to the Far Side of the Sun' and you get `The Lake,' a better-than-average foray into televised science-fiction fantasy.

Instead of emotionless pod-people, these invaders are exact opposites of their earthbound twins, doppelgangers from a poisoned alternate earth that are repopulating our world through an idyllic portal in the languid waters of a California lake. That is the premise of this creepy little ditty from network TV, starring former-`Baywatch' babe Yasmine Bleeth, Oscar-nominee Haley Joel Osment (`The Sixth Sense') and TV alumni Robert Prosky (`Hill Street Blues') and Marion Ross (`Happy Days').

As a sci-fi fan who considers `Invasion of the Body Snatchers' sacred, I was pleasantly surprised at how easily this derivative tele-chiller captured my interest and managed to build suspense right through to the end. Credit director David Jackson (`Atomic Train'), who appears to treat the genre with genuine respect while treading a well-traveled road. Buy the premise and you'll buy the film.

This film is quite good despite not having a great cast, The story is quite slow to begin with but after a while, it turns into a suspenceful and enjoyable movie, the plot is a cross between 'the stepford wives' and ' invasion of the bodysnatchers' The film isn't very frightening so children will enjoy enjoy this as well as adults.

a must for all die hard sci-fi fans

I'd give this movie a 9/10

Avoid this film at all costs. I thought a film where a portal is opened to a parallel universe would bring endless possibilities and ideas (eg Stargate, Hellraiser etc) but this portal only leads to a world that is "hell" due to being destroyed by a lack of ozone (how topical!!). We never get to see this other world, and its inhabitants are exactly the same as the first reality, other than a slight mood change.

Bleeth cannot act convincingly in either reality, and there are no redeeming features! Sorry!

The kid from sixth Sense obviously went onto to better things but I doubt anyone else in this pathetic movie will. Watch 'Invasion of the bodysnatchers' for real duplicitous suspense and terror.

The first 60 minutes of this movie are really good. Great plot till then. Yasmine Bleeth looks awesome as always. And plays her character more then well. But then all of the sudden the plot turns around in 180 degrees. One of the worst second part of a movie I've ever seen. And the ending is even more disappointing.

A definite bad day for the good cast. Could have been MUCH better if the script writers had put in some more effort.