A stake in sci-fi greats

Press, 30 December 1985, Page 10

A stake in sci-fi greats

Winemcß

hans petrovic

LIFEFORCE Directed by Tobe Hooper Based on a novel by Colin Wilson “Lifeforce” (Carlton) adds a new twist to the old vampire stories, providing a potent mixture of science fiction, gothic horror and erotic sex. Add to this some splendid special effects, the sure direction of Tobe (“Poltergeist”) Hooper and an original story by Colin Wilson, and you come up with gripping entertainment The year is almost ended, but “Lueforce” will have to be classed with “The Terminator” and “2010” as one of the best science-fiction films of 1985. The film follows closely the basic story of Wilson’s novel, “The Space Vampires,” only omitting the author’s side-excursions and

theories on criminology and the nature of vampirism. A scientific space expedition, out to investigate the approaching Halley’s Comet, discovers an alien spaceship of colossal dimensions. Initial investigations of its vast interior reveal a number of humanoids preserved in a state of suspended animation.

But when three of the beings are brought back to Earth, all hell breaks loose. The humanoids are discovered to be vampires, preying on people’s life-fields, sucking the body’s energy with a kiss of death.

One of the vampires, a female of extraordinary beauty and sexual allure, escapes, and the desperate hunt to track it down soon develops into a psychic struggle for the survival of the human race.

Hooper incorporates in this story hints of many of the major science-fiction and horror movies of recent years, presenting us with a rich pot-pourri of the silly and the sensational. The mysterious spaceship has the dimensions and sperm-like shape of the craft in “2001: a Space odyssey,” and the organic inner design of the vessel in “Alien.” Added to this is the over-all gothic cathedral ef-

feet of Wilson’s original novel For those who have missed the point, the entrance to the craft is coffin shaped, emitting a strong light as the astronauts prise open the door. Inside, suspended in the vacuum, are human-sized, bat-like creatures that also resemble the Azazoth-type demon from “The Exorcist" Add to this one irresistible vampire girl who has a tendency to wander .about naked, bowling men over as she goes, and you are assured of a wonderful excursion into the bizarre. Hooper and the screenplay writers, Dan O’Bannon ana Don Jakoby, present all this in a delightful tongue-in-cheek, straight-faced style which allows them to evince a shudder or laugh out of just about any nonsense.

Early on, we are told that “comets were once considered the harbingers of disaster” — and that is what we get A breathless official announces that “a naked girl has been found in Hyde Park They say she is in an indescribable condition.” Sure enough,, she is quite a sight looking like something that hasstepped out'of “The Return of the Living Dead.” And so the story goes, a right up to. the virtual destruction of London, the streets filled with the remnants of humanity much as in the “Quatermass” TV series of several years ago. “Lifeforce” is an exciting surprise in the science-fic-tion field, tapping just about everything available source for workable ideas. So, be prepared for just a little more than you may have expected.