THE
HIDDEN
RATING: 7 / 10 --> Good
Review Date:
March 31, 1998
Writers:
Bob Hunt and Jim Kouf (uncredited)
Director:
Jack Sholder
Producers:
Michael T. Meltzer, Gerald T. Olson, Robert Shaye
Actors:
Kyle MacLachlan as Lloyd Gallagher
Michael Nouri as Tom Beck
Genre:
Science-Fiction
Year of
Release:
1987
One of Kyle McLachlan's earlier cinematic features, this movie
was obviously influenced by THE TERMINATOR (8/10), and left a
strong impression for films such as SPECIES (7/10) and the more
recent, FALLEN with Denzel Washington, to follow.
PLOT:
A science-fiction picture set in modern times, this thriller
follows the exploits of an "entity" from outer space,
who likes to inhabit human bodies, use them up until they are
completely worn out, and then switch over to the next available
receptacle. FBI agent (McLachlan) and local top cop (Nouri) are
charged with the capture of this "thing" before it's
too late.
CRITIQUE:
This fast-paced, urban equivalent of THE THING (8/10), checks in
on all cylinders for ultra-violence (God knows how many people
died in this movie), action and an overall rock 'n roll attitude.
Then again, how can you go wrong with an "alien" that
likes the Ferraris, guns, heavy metal music and sexy girls ?!
Granted, the plot isn't the most elaborate of tales (alien bad,
find alien, kill alien), but I can honestly say that I was never
once bored during the viewing of this entire picture.
I wouldn't recommend it to those who don't like car chases,
murders, and bland acting, but for all the rest of you out there,
those who enjoy putting away their brains every now and again,
sitting back, slamming back some salsa'd nachos, and relishing in
the cheeze some call film... have a blast !!
Two scenes to watch for are both within the first ten minutes of
this gore-fest. The opening sequence is one of the most rockin'
scenes to open any action movie, and the subsequent
extra-terrestrial "transformation" is another
eye-catcher. Even the late 80's special effects were okay.
Followed by THE HIDDEN II in 1994.
Little Known Facts:
This film was Kyle MacLachlan's first non-David Lynch foray into the world of feature films. His
first two movie appearances were in Lynch's wretched DUNE (4/10)
and the sensational BLUE VELVET (8.5/10).
The "zoned-out" stripper in this movie,
is played by Claudia
Christian. Nowadays, she is better known as
Commander Susan Ivanova of TV's Babylon 5.
(c) 1998 Berge Garabedian
Movie Reviews by Berge Garabedian