Psychiatrist Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) has begun to notice changes in the world around her. One of her patients swears her husband is not her husband anymore. Upon investigation, it appears more and more people are certain that loved ones have changed. Could this have anything to do with the recent space shuttle crash and the odd cellular matter found at the wreckage? What is this epidemic sweeping the world, and why do the authorities keep calling it “just a flu?”

With the aid of her friend Ben Driscoll (Daniel Craig), Carol races to get her child back from her ex-husband (Jeremy Northam), a powerful politician who has definitely changed since the crash. Soon Carol finds herself alone in a city of people who are not people anymore.

As the second remake of the 1950s classic “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” this one focuses on the consequences of the invasion rather than the event itself. While some may be nostalgic for the black-and-white version, this is a remake worthy of our time. Not rushed out or overtly one-sided, it is a smart and necessary modernization to a rather campy ’50s film with obvious parallels to the Communist scare.

One of the more interesting concepts covered in this movie is the comparison of the entity to our own society. We give prescription drugs to anyone and everyone, even children, who are not behaving normally.

In this film, once someone has been “snatched” by the virus, they become very calm, very mellow and peaceful. What is the difference between doping ourselves up on Prozac and being contaminated by the virus?

In fact, the virus does exactly the same thing, but better. This time around, the virus spreads throughout the world – but, countries start dismantling their nuclear weapons, Pakistan and Iran sign peace treaties and North Korea unites with China.

All of these are good things, so isn’t the virus actually making the world a better place? Of course, in the end, you must decide that while the world is safer, humanity has lost the right to choose, and we must have that right, even if we choose badly. Still, the concept is fascinating to think about.

In regards to the cast, we get a treat. They are fantastic. Even minor characters have been crafted into real, tragic people. There is always the right amount of fear, tension and determination from all of them.

Nicole Kidman is a vision, her porcelain skin set against a dreary city covered in dark clouds. She carries the movie, and from her eyes we learn all we need to know about her fear, her love for her son and her determination to survive by any means necessary.

My only complaint is my personal opinion that body-snatcher movies are silly. However, my opinion shouldn’t affect anyone else’s viewing experience, and I was still able to enjoy the movie immensely. The subtle score by John Ottman should also get some attention. Previously, Ottman was known for his various superhero movie soundtracks, but here he brings out a more gentle pacing and a softer score that builds to the inevitability of world domination.

Best scene: As Carol flees from the infected, she finds herself on a subway train, with others also on the run. A man tells her if she shows no emotion, the infected won’t realize she is not one of them. From the other carriage, three infected approach. Carol quickly sits, trying to block out her fear, trying to ignore the danger her son is in and calmly looks into the eyes of those that want her for their own.

Overall: Dominated by a strong performance by Nicole Kidman, this film almost makes up for all those rubbish blockbusters from the summer.