| The Hidden | 
 enlarge | List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $3.49
You Save: $16.49 (83%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $3.46
Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 48 reviews)
Sales Rank: 8605
Category: DVD
Actors: Kyle Maclachlan, Michael Nouri, Claudia Christian, Clarence Felder, Clu Gulager
Director: Jack Sholder
Publisher: New Line Home Video
Studio: New Line Home Video
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
Label: New Line Home Video
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 98 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
DVD Layers: 1
DVD Sides: 2
Picture Format: Array
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 5.6 x 0.5
MPN: DN4909D
ISBN: 0780628586
UPC: 794043490927
EAN: 9780780628588
ASIN: 0780628586
Release Date: June 1, 2004
Theatrical Release Date: October 20, 1987
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
There's a power-mad space slug slithering among (and through) the innocent citizens of L.A., and it's up to a hardboiled cop and a detective from way up north to stop it in this wonderfully straight-faced sci-fi action flick. The basic plot may be nothing new, but this remains one of the most underrated testosterone fests of the '80s, with a plethora of amazing stunts (there are more expensive cars smashed here than in the entire oeuvre of Hal Needham), characterizations far beyond the call of duty by Michael Nouri and the otherworldly Kyle MacLachlan, and a startlingly creepy denouement. Babylon 5's Claudia Christian has a memorable role as a stripper with a high-caliber fetish. Essential viewing for audiences in the mood for something slimy. --Andrew Wright
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 43 more reviews...
Wha... May 18, 2008
entertaining but my question is. why did this get four stars and starship troopers 2 has been bashed at every street corner, they are the same filmk different story and universe. that being said its an entertaing flick of paranoia and fear of everyone around you not because of who they are but whats inside them. people say its not an original film but list time i checked they arent and other movies with alien space-slugs using people as hosts. body snatchers actually replaced them with alien copies. in this they are the same people just infected.
 Great 80's flick! September 18, 2007
I remember seeing this in the movies. Blew me away mainly because it was more than I expected. Great plot. Decent acting for the most part. Familiar background (I used to live in the general area). Seeing it again for the first time since it was released, it didn't have quite the same impact. Probably because my 32" screen doesn't compare a movie house's, among other things.
Also, I'm usually more critical when someone raves about something. In other words, don't expect a great show because I said it was. Just keep an open mind.
Sooo, bottom line, it's a decent alien flick in current times. One of my 80's favorites. It's violent, but fits its genre. I recommend watching before passing it along to the teenagers (under 12 just ain't right!).
Regards,
Norm
Still Great! May 30, 2007
I saw this movie in theatre when if first came out. saw it again recently and still think it's great. The alien slug is an evil parasite that has no problem infesting old or young and using them to kill, kill, kill. The alien cop chasing it is incredibly determined and goes all out in his pursuit. The whole movie kept me riveted, even when watching it again. The Ferrari scenes are among my favorites and the climatic ending took me by surprise when I first saw it 20 years ago. I think anyone who enjoys alien flicks set on earth will enjoy this.
Slam Bang! March 7, 2006
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
A rip roaring scifi/action flick that moves along at a relentless pace and is one of the best of its type. Sure, it's the old 'alien body snatcher' thing, but it is presented with such verve and accompanied by a terrific rock soundtrack (at least for the 80's!), that it really is irresistable fun. A fine job has been done with the dvd presentation and I'm still at a loss as to why this cult classic never got a cinema release, especially compared to alot of the drivel that does. Highly recommended.
"He sees something he wants, he steals it. Something gets in his way, he kills it." February 22, 2006
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
Them space aliens sure is a sneaky (and often slimy) bunch...if'n they ain't trying to probe or kill us puny Earthlings, they're subjugating us in some nefarious fashion or other, a fine example of the latter displayed here in the film The Hidden (1987). Written by Jim Kouf (Stakeout, Rush Hour, National Treasure), and directed by Jack Sholder (A Nightmare On Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge, Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies), the film stars Kyle MacLachlan (Dune, Blue Velvet) and Michael Nouri (Flashdance, "The O.C."). Also appearing is Ed O'Ross (Red Heat, Another 48 Hrs.), William Boyett ("Adam-12", Sam Whiskey), Clu Gulager (McQ, The Return of the Living Dead), Clarence Felder (Slayground, A Nightmare On Elm Street: The Dream Child), Richard Brooks ("Law & Order"), and television sci-fi vixen extraordinaire Claudia Christian (Maniac Cop 2, "Babylon 5") in one of her first film roles (and what a role it is...hotchie mama!).
The film begins as we witnesses a shotgun wielding man rob a bank (and taking out a few guards in the process), jump into a black Ferrari, and haul ash through the streets of West Hollywood. The authorities give pursuit, some paint is traded, and things end badly (for both the robber and his getaway car) as the unassuming thief/murderer runs into a heavily armed police roadblock. Surprisingly the man is still alive and taken to the hospital, where homicide detective Tom Beck (Nouri) makes the scene. Apparently, the critically injured man has spent the last two weeks on a regular crime spree, robbing and killing at the drop of a hat, but prior to that his record was clean. Returning to the station, Beck learns he's been assigned to work with a FBI man named Lloyd Gallagher (MacLachlan), who's been actively searching for the man now in the hospital. Well, turns out the injured man was being controlled by some sort of alien life form in his body, an extry large space slug, one that soon leaves the now badly damaged body it once called home, opting for a older man with all sorts of health problems (played by Boyett), who happened to share a bed in the same room. After the death of the original man Beck thinks the case closed, but Gallagher knows differently, as now they must hunt down the alien in its new host body. Beck is obviously lost as Gallagher keeps a tight lip on what's really going on, and the pair follows the trail of bloody bodies that continue to pile up in search of the parasitic killer. After the Boyett body peters out, the creature enters a professional dancer played by Claudia Christian (good choice), and things really heat up as the creature has its eyes on the prize, that of a powerful senator who just happens to be in town, preparing to announce his intentions to run for president. Will they be able to stop the lil' bugger from its grab for power, or will the next commander in chief be a mindless zombie senator under the influence of an alien space slug?
I enjoyed this film a lot, and I learned quite a few things...
1.Parasitic alien entities love rock music.
2.Parasitic alien entities hate country music.
3.Parasitic alien entities have a thing for Ferraris.
4.Parasitic alien entities don't obey traffic laws.
5.The secret service equips their agents with Uzi's.
6.Altairians are a filthy people.
7.Claudia Christian looks hot in a G-String (okay, maybe this is more of a given than something I learned).
Okay, if you're a fan of science films, the concept of wee aliens assuming control of the bodies of Earthlings by some means (in this case entering the various bodies via the mouth) for whatever purpose isn't anything new, but this film works if only because it keeps things moving along at a fast pace, features some decent performances, a solid script, and a strong sense of direction. I doubt The Hidden will ever garner the label of being a true classic, but it is a whole lot of mindless fun, and a heck of a lot better than much of the sci-fi schlock I've seen over the years. One of the things I appreciate most about the film is it keeps things simple, assuming the guise of an action film with science fiction elements that doesn't take itself too seriously. MacLachlan seems well suited for his role as the odd and mysterious Lloyd Gallagher, as does Nouri as Beck, the frustrated detective in way over his head, continually trying to play catch up given Gallagher's reluctance to share any real information. Boyett was pretty funny as the sickly man with gastrointestinal issues under alien control, and Claudia Christian was just hot (this movie is worth checking out if only to catch her initial scene in the strip club). If it's action ye crave, matey, then you've come to the right place. There's gun violence galore, as the alien controlled victims tend to take a whole lot of damage before they go down (seems the alien gives its brain dead host a boost of vitality, enough so to withstand a whole lot of punishment). The alien itself was very cool looking, and completely hideous. It was about the size of a small dog, resembled a slug, and featured hairy legs and plenty of slimy tentacles coming from its backside. My favorite line of the film comes during a scene when the police are investigating a rash of homicides, and the coroner shows up stating to Nouri's character "It's getting a little in my van, you know?" There's a number of great sequences, but the one that really sticks out in my mind is after the alien assumes control of Claudia Christian's character, and begins feeling up its new, voluptuous host in a completely sleazy manner (I have to admit, that's exactly what I would have done if I were in the same position). Another memorable sequence comes after Beck orders Gallagher arrested, mainly out of spite for not being more forthcoming, and Gallagher's specialized alien killing weapon is confiscated (it looks like a prop from the Men in Black film). A curious ballistics technicians begins fiddling with it, and learns first hand why you shouldn't mess with things you're not familiar with...
The picture, presented in both fullscreen (1.33:1) and widescreen (1.85:1) anamorphic, looks sharp, and the audio, available in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and Dolby Digital mono, comes through very well. As far as extras, there's a commentary track featuring director Jack Sholder and writer/director Tim Hunter (Over the Edge, River's Edge), special effects production footage with commentary by Sholder, cast and crew filmographies, and a original theatrical trailer for the movie.
Cookieman108
By the way, in case you're wondering, there isn't any real nekkidness in the film, but there are some worthwhile close calls...
|
|
|
