Invasion of the Saucer Men

Ah, Invasion of the Saucer Men...I've been wanting to see this film for the longest time. At one point, I ordered it off of eBay. I distinctly remember the sense of defeat that washed over me as I discovered that they had sent the wrong tape. They sent the right box, though. Some consolation prize. Eventually, I caved in and resorted to downloading a torrent. Normally, I wouldn't even consider forgoing the time-honored tradition of hunting down a tangible copy of a rare movie. I'm a collector. In my opinion, there is nothing special about gaining access to a cult classic with a few clicks of a mouse.

But hey, times change. It's no different than perusing the Instant Viewing section on Netflix. That's what I'm telling myself to justify breaking the law. Anyway, did this elusive b-flick live up to my expectations? Well, I wasn't expecting much, so yes, it lived up to my expectations. Saucer Men is a droll, sprightly "alien invasion" romp about a spaceship that crash lands near Lover's Lane, a make-out spot that is tucked away in the paunch of a forest. I'm beginning to think that these secluded necking destinations only exist in Hollywood. The plot runs parallel with that of Killer Klowns From Outer Space. The framework is identical.

You know the drill. The adults don't believe the teenagers, the teenagers decide to take matters into their own hands, the aliens inject alcohol into the veins of their victims...wait, hold the phone. The aliens attack humans by getting them drunk? Oops, I spoiled the twist ending. That's not a joke, by the way. Saucer Men is about lettuce-headed midgets from the cosmos who fluster earthlings with an inebriant elixir that is jabbed into the bloodstream via retractable claws. This probably sounds like a parody, but for the most part, the script is played straight. I swear.

There are scenes that could have been lifted from a screwball comedy, but that has more to do with the cartoonish score than the acting or the dialogue. The bulk of Invasion of the Saucer Men is your typical 50's cheese. That is both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because I adore 50's cheese; bad because it's nothing new. The characters are nondescript, the plot holes are enormous and the narration is dispensable. I'm being generous with my rating. I would have enjoyed it more if I had watched it with a fellow nerd. Hell, the poster alone is worth a Z'Dar all by itself.