Two years after blessing the world with the sexually confused and humorous
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY'S REVENGE
(I still love that bump-humping-the-dresser-drawer-closed scene), director Jack
Sholder brought us THE HIDDEN. The mildly exciting story of a
nasty-looking alien bug creature that can take over mammals by crawling down
their throat. After the creature has taken control of his host body, it's
just straight-up chaos. Stealing luxury cars, robbing banks, killing
people left and right...this dude doesn't give a fuck! It's awesome.
I love the idea of an anarchist thrill killer from outer space landing on Earth
and fucking shit up. Unfortunately, instead of simply going completely
bonkers, THE HIDDEN adds a second (good) alien in the form of a lawman and that
part is kinda boring. It was interesting seeing the alien lawman tracking
down the killer, but that really wasn't that hard to do since the bad alien is
too stupid to be careful and wrecks his new host body almost as quickly as he
gets it.
Fast beginning pace that slows down as the movie goes on, weak ending, zero
nudity, mild action, one really impressive stunt (the dude hit by the car),
great story idea that doesn't live up to it's potential, solid acting, early
Danny Trejo sighting, cool 80's Los Angeles scenery,
outstanding performance by veteran actor William Boyett (he was the
highlight of the movie), good soundtrack, the same dog that pissed fire in
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER.
I'm sure THE HIDDEN still has a sweet spot in the hearts of fans who first saw
it back in the day, but it hasn't aged that well compared to other 80's alien
invasion movies.
THE THING, for example. That said, THE HIDDEN still worth watching and I would
love to see a true, hard R-rated remake and not just the bits borrowed in
JASON GOES TO HELL: THE FINAL FRIDAY, "The X-Files",
[REC] 2,
etc.
Part 2 - The Hidden II (1993)
THE SECRET OF MY SUCCE$S (1987) billboard
