, An Alien ‘Invasion’ Can Be Boring

Robin Cook, best known as the author of medical-conspiracy thrillers (such as “Coma” and “Outbreak”), makes a full-fledged dive into science fiction with his latest page-turner, “Invasion.”

The book will be released at about the same time the special effects-filled four-hour-long adaptation “Robin Cook’s ‘Invasion”’ airs on NBC Sunday and Monday at 9.

The title refers to an invasion of extraterrestrials who attack the human race. They awaken a dormant virus in our bodies via laser-shooting little black rocks that resemble hardened and cooled lava. The attacking aliens blanket the Earth with the lavalike pebbles, and soon humans are being transformed into alien monsters.

Cook would never deny that much of this story takes its lead from classics such as “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” “Children of the Damned” and the TV series “The Invaders.” The parallels are many.

Once people are infected by the rocks, they become zombies (as in “Snatchers”), develop glowing eyes (as in “Children”) and act like “Invaders,” recruiting new victims by infecting them.

The first human to become a victim of the formidable black rocks is a seemingly affable guy named Beau (Luke Perry). He soon turns into a power-hungry maniac and the leader of a conspiracy to take over Earth.

Kudos go to the special-effects whizzes. The images are realistically creepy - rippling skin, glowing eyes, pyrotechnics, and an expensive-looking finale equipped with a view of a naked life-size alien with bulging eyes and transparent reptilian skin.

The four hours are peppered with medical information about viruses and how doctors (one is played by Kim Cattrell) go about discovering an antidote. The medical babble is far more exciting than the story, which is dominated with scenes of aliens tracking down a small group of uninfected folks.

One of the uninfected is Beau’s fiancee (Rebecca Gayheart, “Beverly Hills, 90210”). Predictably, the script calls for the aliens to have too many opportunities to infect the few survivors, but yet they don’t.

One becomes bored watching a slew of narrow escapes. Each time the heroes get away, they leave more plot holes and inconsistencies in their wake.

Highlights

“Interview With the Vampire” (1994, NBC tonight at 9: You could say this tale has lots of bite as a 200-year-old vampire talks about his life. It’s graphic, gory and gritty. Only true fans of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt could handle this drawn-out tale, based on Anne Rice’s best seller.

“Early Edition,” CBS tonight at 9: William Devane brings personality and whimsy to this drama as Gary’s father Bernie. When Bernie discovers Gary’s knack for being a day ahead of the news, he jumps in and helps out with too much enthusiasm.

“King of the Hill,” FOX Sunday at 8:30: Leave it to the wild writers of this animated series to make a halfhour on lawn care funny. Hank obsesses about his lawn, determined to make it the best one on the block in time for a Cinco de Mayo festival.

“Walker, Texas Ranger: Sons of Thunder” (1997), CBS Sunday at 9: The Saturday night series, starring Chuck Norris as a modern-day Texas Ranger, has developed quite a following. It’s enough of a hit to garner a two-hour-long prime-time pilot for a spinoff series featuring Jimmy Wlcek as martial-arts instructor Trent Malloy.

Parents’ Pick

“Andre” (1994), ABC tonight at 8: Families will find warmth and sentiment if they gather around the small screen for this endearing fact-based tale.

Andre is a seal that becomes a pet to a working-class Maine family. The lovable seal causes unexpected animal antics and becomes a bit too clingy. The ‘60s soundtrack makes this one even more worthwhile. Dive right in.

Cable Calls

“Mission Impossible” (1996), HBO tonight at 8: Most critics noted that this less-than-satisfying tale, based on the beloved TV series, self-destructs after about five seconds. But fans of the show will want to catch this one especially for the spine-tingling finale and imaginative spy gadgets.

Tom Cruise stars as a fired spy who decides he can get his old job back by catching some bad guys. Co-stars Jon Voight, Vanessa Redgrave and Emilio Estevez all seem to be hanging on tight during this tale with its confusing plot.

“Intimate Portrait,” LIFE Sunday at 10: TV legend Carol Burnett is profiled in a telling hour that covers her impoverished childhood, a divorce and her daughter’s battle with substance abuse.

Movie Marquee

“Forrest Gump” (1994), ABC Sunday at 8: Tom Hanks brought home an Oscar (the movie won six in total) for his portrayal of slow-witted Forrest Gump. The story, based on Winston Groom’s novel, never disappoints, especially when co-stars Gary Sinise and Sally Field are on screen.

The movie offers a nostalgic (and, at times, satirical) look at the memorable ‘50s and ‘60s as it follows Gump’s life.