Geoff Keig

Invasion is well meaning and intentioned; a chance to reimagine the alien invasion scenario through characters that are written with their humanity front and centre, rather than as a by-product. And in that, at least, it delivers. It is also shot beautifully; natural landscapes are allowed to be the star of the screen as in turn are the close ups of the actors. The many aspects combine in to a sumptuous feast for the eyes and ask only that you sit back and allow time to take it all in. And in that it also succeeds, albeit that the success here is because nothing really happens. I mean a verdant green grass flowing in a gentle breeze could make an evocative picture - but not if I had to stare at it for an hour. It is as if so much emphasis was put on the other elements - acting, cinematography and premise that plot became secondary. And as plot became lost so did I. A very near miss for me sadly - but really not far from what it could have been.

This is a masterclass from Kate Winslet playing a hard bitten detective in small town USA. She is ably supported by a talented cast bringing life to a depressing, but well woven plot. This really is fine craft.