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Target Earth

  • TV Movie
  • 1998
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
4.4/10
597
YOUR RATING
Dabney Coleman, John C. McGinley, Christopher Meloni, and Marcia Cross in Target Earth (1998)
HorrorSci-Fi

After aliens inhabit human bodies, it's up to a small-town policeman to protect a child who holds the key to defeating the extraterrestrials.After aliens inhabit human bodies, it's up to a small-town policeman to protect a child who holds the key to defeating the extraterrestrials.After aliens inhabit human bodies, it's up to a small-town policeman to protect a child who holds the key to defeating the extraterrestrials.

  • Director
    • Peter Markle
  • Writer
    • Michael Vickerman
  • Stars
    • Janell McLeod
    • John R. Copeman
    • Tim Parati
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.4/10
    597
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Markle
    • Writer
      • Michael Vickerman
    • Stars
      • Janell McLeod
      • John R. Copeman
      • Tim Parati
    • 14User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos7

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    Top cast26

    Edit
    Janell McLeod
    • Mrs. Darlington
    John R. Copeman
    • Paul Jackson
    Tim Parati
    Tim Parati
    • Raymond
    John C. McGinley
    John C. McGinley
    • Agent Vincent Naples
    Christopher Meloni
    Christopher Meloni
    • Det. Sam Adams
    Eric Paskel
    • Chip Harley
    Cheryl Ryan
    • Mrs. Lippman
    Richard Fullerton
    Richard Fullerton
    • Mr. Lippman
    Marcia Cross
    Marcia Cross
    • Karen Mackaphe
    Courtney Allen Crumpler
    • Tammy Mackaphe
    Terry Loughlin
    Terry Loughlin
    • Sheriff Maxwell Pierce
    Thunderbird Dinwiddie
    Thunderbird Dinwiddie
    • Dep. Madeline Chandler
    • (as Traci Dinwiddie)
    Dabney Coleman
    Dabney Coleman
    • Senator Ben Arnold
    Stephani Victor
    • Carrie
    John Phillip
    • FBI Agent
    Barry Bell
    • Mason
    Al Wiggins
    • Gus Ramus
    • (as Alfred Wiggins)
    Jerry Hatmaker
    • Paul Henke
    • Director
      • Peter Markle
    • Writer
      • Michael Vickerman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews14

    4.4597
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    Featured reviews

    5DarkAngelX5453

    Good bad movie/ Okay regular movie (Watchable, Entertaining)

    Okay, not the greatest movie ever made, but it was alright. I've seen several bad movies, many that top this one by a mile...(seen Nim's Island...ugh!). However, I happen to enjoy bad movies (go Route 666, Lou Diamond Phillips:), so my tolerance may run higher than others.

    I know some people said they liked the bad guy from scrubs, but, REALLY? I can't even look at his face without laughing! I see him, I think scrubs, so no way, he was not the highlight of the movie. For anyone wanting to see it, good luck, I don't think they play it anymore. I had to search on ebay for this thing, and I found a copy. In Germany. So I can't really attest to acting, since everything was voiced over (Macht schnell! Macht schnell!), which faintly reminded me of Die Hard (Polizei, Karl, polizei!). And yea, the plot is kinda cliché, but, then again...most are. I haven't seen but maybe two or three in my entire life that were originals or unpredictable.

    Overall, you should only see this if these types of movies are your thing...its not as bad as some, buts its definitely not good. I'd rate it okay. But ENTERTAINING for sure. (especially in German)
    7alexfromhorn

    Exactly what I like - X-Files inspired Sci-Fi

    A more or less typical alien conspiracy style plot. It totally feels like the pilot of a planned series that was supposed to jump on the X-Files train, but I am not sure if that's the case.

    Screenplay, sound design and all surroundings where pretty well chosen and add a lot to the atmosphere. Is is mostly quite dark and mysterious.

    The plot is interesting but many things are a bit foreseeable. Yet that didn't suck the joy out if it for me because the acting and the vivid characters kept it very much alive.

    This could have been a great series, with all its characters, factions and different motivations.
    dezzz_m

    far from worth watching (with blindfolds on)

    "Target Earth" is a catchy title for a movie, that's for sure. One may expect at least an average movie experience from the sound of it. Well, after reading other users' comments on this one, I got curious and gave it a try, thinking "it can't be that bad as they think!". Ooh yes, I assure you, it can. :( There are movies, B movies, and there certainly should be a category for movies like this: it could be called "the Z ones".

    Why? Because it simply hasn't got any original ideas, characters, plot whatsoever. Yeah, the bad guy may be worth 5 minutes of watching, but a whole evening AND TV commercials? I don't think so.
    3vattenpojke

    Zzzzzzzzzzzz...

    4.3/10 is generous. My biggest problem with this movie is being able to predict scenes 20 minutes in the future. My young daughter and I watched it together, and at first I was ready to change the channel if it got too scary. She had the remote, however, and during commercials kept changing channels. She nearly feel asleep before the "climax", which occurred with about 30 seconds left in the movie. The last 10 minute set of commercials came on and then the wrap up: big plot hole here, but you'll have to watch it to find out.

    As far as being nominated for B movie status, I would reserve that for movies that were intended to be good, but turned out to be turkeys. This one seemed destined for mediocrity from the start.
    7raccanic

    NOT as bad as suggested elsewhere

    For its humble scale and ambition this is a credible effort in storytelling and acting by some seasoned stars. The plot is reasonably gripping/tense at times and will hold your attention. CGI aliens or spaceships are eschewed in favour of 1950's tropes such as paranoia and brainwashing. Enjoyable!

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    Related interests

    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Thunderbird Dinwiddie's debut.
    • Goofs
      Commander Fauk says that his civilisation is 200 light-years more advanced than that on Earth, yet a light-year is actually a measure of distance.
    • Quotes

      Mr. Lippman: You... ..don't understand!

    • Connections
      References E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 5, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Taken Away
    • Filming locations
      • High Point, North Carolina, USA
    • Production company
      • Symphony Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 35m(95 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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