DVD Strange things are happening at Herrington High. The teachers are behaving oddly and students are starting to notice something is very wrong - not least the teachers' sudden obsession with drinking water.
Details
This film could almost be renamed Invasion of the School Body Snatchers. Okay, that might be a bad joke, but the comparison isn't far off. The story follows a group of high school misfits who slowly realise that something is very wrong with the staff at Herrington High. It soon becomes clear that the teachers have been taken over by alien parasites originating from a water-based world - which explains their constant need to drink large quantities of water.
Needless to say, things quickly spiral out of control. The once awkward and timid Miss Burke suddenly transforms into a confident and rather seductive figure while under the influence of the alien parasite, and before long the students begin to realise that the infection is spreading rapidly through the school. With no one else to trust, the small group of teenagers must figure out who is still human and who has already been taken over.
Picture & Sound
Picture quality is excellent, with outdoor scenes bright and vibrant and indoor scenes - many of which take place inside the school - free from the dark stippling effect sometimes seen in lower quality transfers. Sound quality is also strong, with the surround channels used effectively, particularly during the storm and rain sequences.
Menu & Extras
The one real disappointment is the extras - or rather the complete lack of them. While we don't always buy DVDs solely for bonus features, you would expect the distributors to make at least some effort given the price difference between DVD and its distant VHS cousin.
Overall
You might think from the description that the film doesn't sound particularly impressive, but that would be doing it a disservice. The Faculty works best when you simply switch off your brain and enjoy it for what it is - a fun, modernised teenage take on Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The film mixes horror, sci-fi and humour quite effectively, and the young cast bring a surprising amount of energy to the story.
Famke Janssen in particular gets to have some fun with her role, transforming from awkward and nerdy teacher to something far more sinister. The performances across the board are solid and the film has just enough humour to keep things entertaining without undermining the tension. Scenes that should be ridiculous - such as hiding in a cupboard with a dead old woman - somehow end up being genuinely funny. It's not a classic, but it is an enjoyable slice of late-90s sci-fi horror.
Special features
- Theatrical Trailer
