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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

    james_ian_miller

    Bad guy much more fun than our 'hero'

    Aliens plan to take over the world, by gradually activating implants in people at various levels of society (inserted, as we all know, during the multitude of 3-day abductions that have been visited on America's Mid-West since the 1950's science fiction boom). One man, a police detective, can save the world, but is so dull that the alien invasion becomes a more and more attractive prospect as the film goes on.

    The opening scene has the location typed out at the bottom-left of the screen, showing clearly its lineage from "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" via the X-Files. Don't expect a moment of tension, except perhaps the decision on when to have your next cup of tea, but worth a watch if the alternative is ironing a shirt for the next morning. It is, however, slightly redeemed by the bald, stary-eyed, Hank Williams-loving baddie, who has the few lines in the film worth putting in something better.
    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.
    7boston_nala

    its good

    I don't know about what other people think but i happen to really like this movie it might not be any war of the world or men in black type of movie but contrary to the other comment that has been posted it does have a plot and it isn't a bad movie at all the character are well developed and the Little Girl in the movie is Amazing by the way she was able to portray the character and the fact that she was so young and hello Marcia Cross is in it and anyone who has ever seen desperate housewives agrees that she is wonderful and attractive... it is a movie worth seeing it might not be the greatest one out there but I wouldn't say don't see it...

    P.S. Beside anytime you can see a sexy man playing an sexy Detctive you should see it...
    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!
    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.

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    5.8
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    6.3
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    5.5
    Target Earth
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    6.2
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    Sailor of the King
    6.8
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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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