MovieChat Forums > Spaced Invaders (1990) Discussion > Invader Zim Rip Off

Invader Zim Rip Off

posted 19 years ago by colon_isaac-1
19 replies | jump to latest

The Invader Zim cartoon became a cult classic after it aired on Nick. You can still buy memorabillia in stores since it stopped airing in 2003. I had not seen the cartoon before but I was given a couple episodes by a friend of mine to view. I watched it and after seeing the first episode I realized that the entire plot and a few minor detail were absoluely ripped from the B-movie Spaced Invaders made in 1990. Away from the titles that are very similar ...Invader Zim takes an outcast idiotic space alien bent on world domination and human destruction who is continuously twarted by his own ignorance. This is the same for Spaced Invaders but instead of one there are five. Zim is assisted by a small robot drone...which is strangely similar to the small robot drone in Spaced Invaders that assists the five martians. Not only are they similar in look but also in sound. I could go write a paper on the similarities between the two but I'd rather you see it for yourself. My question is... was it acknowleged that the creators of Zim were taking and inspiration from Spaced Invaders or did they just rip it off. In addition to those of you who loved Invader Zim...I encourage you to watch Spaced Invaders because I love this movie and I feel that it is much better than the cartoon Invader Zim. Feel free to post your thoughts as well as similarities you may find or the lack of. Thanks for reading....its fun-da-mental.

[–] roddy-666 19 years ago

Ladies and gentlemen, don't feed the trolls.

[–] colon_isaac-1 19 years ago

Its funny to me when people lack the vocabulary to have a polite debate they call you a troll. Thank you for being an ass. If you have nothing to post to add or argue with my post then please refrain from childish comments.

[–] Amy_Brigman 18 years ago

Hummmm, after reading this thread (a more or less long time ago) I finally managed to watch some episodes of Invader Zim.
Welll...
Strange humour.... XD
But I quiet loved that lil robot-dog thing ^v^

I can't help, but it in fact reminded me somehow on Spaced Invaders too
(But that isn't bad at all - Remember I LOVE SI ;) )

But I'd also say that SI (at least IMO) is somehow better than IZ ;)

\m/_ (-_-) _\m/

[–] king_of_bob 18 years ago

I would say it's more part of what inspired Jhonen to come up with Zim. However I wouldn't say Zim is a ripoff.

Two wrongs don't make a left hand turn.

[–] bilgeboybob 16 years ago

Inspiration maybe- but not a rip off. The humour in "Zim" is so different from that in "Spaced Invaders"

BTW ignore Roddy-666 He is obviously a pathetic human stink beast. I am Ziiiiiiimmmm!!!!

-B-

Svetlana sucks lemons across from me

[–] king_of_bob 16 years ago

It's funny when you give an intelligent answer and the person you're replying to never responds. So it looks like the second poster was correct. You're a troll, and not interested in an actual debate\conversation.

Prof. Farnsworth: Oh. A lesson in not changing history from Mr. I'm-My-Own-Grandpa!

[–] prj 16 years ago

Well, I for one, LOVE Invader Zim. And I wrote and directed Spaced Invaders!

That having been said, if my goofy little film inspired some kid to make a fantastically inventive and very funny cartoon series that made him rich and famous... all I have to say is:

WHERE'S MY CUT??

Seriously, though... I'm glad the universe is big enough for ALL little alien bad guys.

Patrick Read Johnson

[–] tvwvenom 16 years ago

^ Make a sequel.

[–] colon_isaac-1 16 years ago

"It's funny when you give an intelligent answer and the person you're replying to never responds. So it looks like the second poster was correct. You're a troll, and not interested in an actual debate\conversation."

Many people feel as though it was an inspiration and not a rip off. I can respect others opinions unlike some. Doesn't change the fact that we all agree there are substantial similarities. That's my point....period. Invader Zim is just so much more mainstream so I am not surprised that fans would come to it's aid. Secondly I gave you a paragraph of factual data and you wrote a line. Intelligent... I think not. I wrote it to spark a debate for all. You are the troll so got to Hot Topic and get you a GIR shirt....lol.

-Emo kids are too sensitive.

[–] king_of_bob 16 years ago

Invader Zim is more mainstream? Spaced Invaders had a wide theatrical release. Invader Zim was barely known outside of the US for quite some time.

Also, there's nothing to defend against. Invader Zim isn't a rip off of Spaced Invaders. It's as simple as that. You weren't trying to start a debate, you were trying to ignite controversy. They are not the same thing. And with your closing sentence you make it obvious that this was your intention.

I enjoy both. But to suggest Zim is a ripoff simply because it has a bumbling alien is to reduce both works to their absolute base. Aside from the most shallow of connections, the two aren't even similar.

Prof. Farnsworth: Oh. A lesson in not changing history from Mr. I'm-My-Own-Grandpa!

[–] colon_isaac-1 16 years ago

Ignite controversy...Oh now it's a conspiracy, lol. Ask anyone which is more mainstream. In fact...out of ten people I have spoken with eight knew what Invader Zim was and none had heard of Spaced Invaders. Invader Zim is a Emmy award winning show that ran on Nickelodeon on and off for Six years and it still has products in major retail stores... much more mainstream."reduce both works to their absolute base"...It's a cartoon and your sudden attempt to be intelligent amuses me. If you read my opening paragraph I give many facts for my conclusions. You just blabber on. I started a debate and king_of_slob started an argument. I actually enjoyed Invader Zim. I wanted to expose those who are fans to something else they may enjoy. It's not a bad thing if they found inspiration from Spaced Invaders.But trolls looking for trouble just take it too personal. In fact I bet you didn't even watch the film? No need to lie cause I really don't care so don't respond back but I'm sure that you immaturity will not resist.

[–] king_of_bob 16 years ago

A conspiracy of one. Which isn't a conspiracy at all, simply you trolling.

You're confusing popularity with what is and is not mainstream. Yes Invader Zim is a cartoon, but that doesn't mean it's simplistic.

You must think you're pretty clever, I mean nobody has ever thought to alter my name to turn it into a lame insult.

You came to the Spaced Invaders message board to enlighten Invader Zim fans about Spaced Invaders? And that is not what you came here to do, the topic subject shows that very clearly.

I did watch Spaced Invaders, in fact I have it on a shelf right beside me.

I already have several legs up on you in the intelligence department. For example, I know how to use a paragraph. Then there's the fact that you need to insult me in a vein attempt to support your argument, when in fact that's the exact opposite of debate.

Prof. Farnsworth: Oh. A lesson in not changing history from Mr. I'm-My-Own-Grandpa!

[–] colon_isaac-1 16 years ago

LOL...no more troll feeding.

[–] king_of_bob 16 years ago

That's right, I'm the troll when you're the one trying to suggest Spaced Invaders was ripped off to make Invader Zim, when the two shows have only the most superficial of connections.

Prof. Farnsworth: Oh. A lesson in not changing history from Mr. I'm-My-Own-Grandpa!

[–] colon_isaac-1 16 years ago

Troll Alert!

[–] tawdry_hepburn 14 years ago

Dude...the OP posted this more than 2 years before you responded! And now I'm responding to you 3 years after you posted.

,Said the Shotgun to the Head--
Saul Williams

[–] TheBeardedWonder 9 years ago

And 4 years later, here I am...

'Get yourself a real dog. Any dog under 50 lbs is a cat and cats are pointless' - Ron Swanson

[–] tawdry_hepburn 9 years ago

This thread is so strange.

So very, very strange. Like, the fact that an obscure film's director responded to a fan question several years after it was asked is the 3rd strangest thing about it.

Thank you for reminding me.

,Said the Shotgun to the Head--
Saul Williams

[–] 9 years ago

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