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Director Gerd Oswald's, THE CHAMELEON, is a sometimes
interesting tale of human/alien contact.
Under Oswald's direction, Robert Duvall gives a thoughtful performance
as Mace, a former C.I.A. type agent who now works free-lance, taking
those assignments others turn down. Even at this early stage of his
career, Duvall is a fascinating screen presence.
The script, Teleplay by Robert Towne; Story by Robert Towne, Lou Morheim,
Joseph Stefano), has some good Sci-Fi dialogue. After being genetically
altered to look like an alien, Duvall enters the UFO. An alien he encounters
there tells him, "It's a good impersonation, Earthman. But we know
who you are, the way one of your dogs can tell a cat."
My favorite scene takes place early on, in a bar in Mexico. When two
enemy agents threaten Duvall, he strangles one, scaring the other away.
Duvall quickly establishes his character as a deadly killer and a force
to be reckoned with.
The FX in this episode do not dazzle. They primarly involve an alien
"gun" which shots out sparks and smoke. Special Effects, guy
Si Simonson, and Project Unlimited, Inc., are responsible for the non-spectacular
FX.
Director of Photography, Kenneth Peach, does some good work here. A
long shot of the UFO in the woods, with aliens climbing on it, has a
documentary feel to it, in part because of the crisp, black and white
photography.
The music effectively builds suspense, using harps for emphasis. Dominic
Frontiere is the responsible party.
THE CHAMELEON may be somewhat watchable for some Sci-Fi viewers. Robert
Duvall fans may dig this one, although his eventual transformation into
a silly-looking alien may be a turnoff. BACK
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