THE FACULTY —SHOCKTOBER!

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Although lost to the sands of time, “The Faculty” is a brilliantly constructed sci-fi thriller that wears its “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” inspiration on a high school letter-jacket sleeve.

It's witty as hell, too.

The cast list reads like a who’s-who of ‘90s era upstarts. Usher, Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, Shawn Hatosy, Jordana Brewster, Clea DuVall, Famke Janssen, Bebe Neuwirth, Salma Hayek, and Jon Stewart all bring their A-game to the party.

Hollywood legend Piper Laurie is perfectly creepy as a member of the school's menacing faculty.

Strictly A-team ensemble to Robert Rodriguez's polished style of filmmaking.

An Ohio high school is ground zero for an alien attack that takes over the bodies of the school’s faculty. Football coach Joe Willis gets a boost from Robert Patrick’s “Terminator” franchise T-100 bonafides. See James Carmeron’s amazing “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” from 1991. Robert Patrick is one scary alien.

Kevin Williamson’s deft script gives satirical pokes at high school hierarchies of power that run from a disillusioned football quarterback down to the lowliest nerd, namely Elijah Wood’s Casey school photographer character.

The aliens increase in number, and the fun ratchets up a few more notches.

The special effects are especially enjoyable in a smart horror movie with plenty of satirical onion layers for you to feast upon.

Great energy, great story, great tone, “The Faculty” is a truly great movie.

I already want to watch it again. You could do no better for a Halloween viewing choice.

Boo!

Rated R. 104 mins.