And so it does, which makes the last reel of this sci-fi spoof a lot of fun, although for the most part it's a rambling, star-heavy caper about little green men who 'come in peace', but leave the Earthly negotiators in pieces as soon as the opportunity presents itself.

The ill-natured tone set by the film is the cue for some hefty over-acting by Jack Nicholson and Glenn Close, as the President and his wife, and by others whose posturing makes you glad to see them exterminated.

Exempt from all this are Annette Bening, veteran Sylvia Sidney and, amazingly, singer Tom Jones who, in his first acting role, is pretty nearly the hit of the show.

Faultless special effects, loads of explosions and bodies flying all over the place - as the Martians are bested by a method likely to fall on uncomprehending ears with today's cinemagoers - keep this lively if not exactly lovely.