Invasion: Earth

I really loved this show. It appeared on the Space Channel here in Canada. I've seen it 3 times and get something new out of it every time I watch it. I found it very entertaining, in that typical dry, British way. The Brits really know how to do Sci-Fi, totally unforgiving. The last scene was incredibly haunting and I really wish that there was a sequel underway. The acting was incredible, the characters believable and likeable (and not so likeable) and the plotline profound. I would watch it again in a heartbeat!

I'd be lying if I said I was satisfied with the ending. I appreciate what they were trying to do with it -- show the absolute desperation of the battle, and the need to use whatever means necessary to stay alive, even if it means sacrificing innocent people (or yourself). That was a theme that went through the entire series.

But still, too many things were left unresolved for me to fully appreciate the point...particularly the fate of the communications guy with the dreadlocks, and of the sacrificed townspeople, and -- let's face it -- the fate of the entire world!

Everything was very, very well set up. The actual series was spectacular in many ways...the special effects, the focus switching from development to development, the overall confusion of humankind dealing with an alien intelligence (though I did find that some of the characters were a bit TOO intuitive..."Wow, a strange swirling yellow portal...I wonder if we're dealing with aliens from another dimension?).

I think they struck a fine balance between tense (and often gory) action, uneasy suspense, and development of the characters. I don't think I've ever seen such well-developed character interactions in such a short series.

All in all, it unfolded much the way I imagine this sort of thing really WOULD unfold -- lots of confusion, anger, anguish, guilt, drama, and fear -- but I do wish there had been a BIT more direction to the process. It was almost TOO lifelike to be ultimately entertaining for me. How often, in a TV series, do you hear a mother admit to her child that she's terrified of what might happen next, and that she doesn't know if she'll be able to come home again? Or a desperate general decide that total destruction is the most preferable course of action -- and have it actually be TRUE?

The whole thing gave me the shivers, and I don't really sure that's a good thing.

I remember watching this when I was 9 years old in the Uk (Yes I understand I was way below the legal age limit but my dad watched it with me). I really enjoyed this interesting original story which in my opinion had good acting and fantastic special effects (if you consider the year in which it was made). Having looked at some of the other reviews I can understand people's frustration with the ending of this series, I myself even as a 9 year old felt very disappointed that no real answers was given. The reason for this was that there was originally going to be a second series but then BBC went over the budget and were forced to cut down in the next year, I do think that they made a huge mistake in axing this well loved series but any attempts now to revive it would be a taint of it's memory. I would recommend fans of Sci-fi who are looking for something alien and original to watch this although you may have to take the bad ending with a pinch of salt.

What an ending. I don't think people realise how good the ending was. The ND's manipulated life as a tool. And they manipulated the echos to destroy themselves just as they manipulated us to destroy ourselves. There was no sequel to be had. We lost, we done exactly what they wanted from the start. We killed Terrell, then sacrificed the towns folks. Then sacrificed our own planet.

It is a really good brit sci-fi. Dark and dank and miserable.

The acting was a wee bit on the dodgy side, apart from Fred Ward who I will alays have as soft spot for after Tremors.

All in all pretty good stuff.

Recently saw this again on Sci-Fi channel in the UK. Just to clear up the comments from the other poster about "no follow-up" - Invasion: Earth was not actually a movie, but a series made by the BBC in the UK. There should have been a second series, but the BBC pulled the plug and a second series was never made. It's a real shame, as I think it was a great programme.