V (1983)

[Xenorama]

Jane Badler ... Diana
Michael Durrell ... Robert Maxwell
Faye Grant ... Juliet Parrish
Peter Nelson ... Brian
David Packer ... Daniel Bernstein
Neva Patterson ... Eleanor Dupres
Tommy Petersen ... Josh Brooks
Marc Singer ... Mike Donovan
Blair Tefkin ... Robin Maxwell
Michael Wright ... Elias Taylor
Bonnie Bartlett ... Lynn Bernstein
Leonardo Cimino ... Abraham Bernstein
Richard Herd ... John
Evan C. Kim ... Tony Wah Chong Leonetti
Richard Lawson ... Dr. Ben Taylor

i haven't seen this miniseries is a long time. and even then, i really didn't pay much attention to it, other than the effects.

aliens come down and want to "help" us, but then slowly start to takeover, by more insidious means than just dropping mind controlled monsters on the planet (another good but doomed tactic). it's a startling reminder of how "liberty needs eternal vigilance" or "evil happens when good people do nothing" (both quotes not quite said exactly, but you all get the point).

the DVD set is on disc, with the two hours on each side. there's a
making of from 1982, which is great to see, since it's more than just
the standard puff pieces of today. it's also great to see real
miniatures and animated effects, and these are well done. best yet, the effects compliment the story, rather than overshadow it and the actors.

[Lunkenstein]

I didn't really take to this on its first run either - not sure why. It's likely due to the fact I had a hard time keeping up with most miniseries back then. Maybe I'd like it better now.