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Movie Review : Planet 51
- Author: Izarrudin
- Category: Movies
- 304 page views
Dec 6,2009
Despite a strong cast and a host of enjoyable movie references, Planet 51 is something of a disappointment, thanks to an extremely weak plot, a sloppy screenplay and a lamentable lack of decent laughs.
Directed by Jorge Blanco, Planet 51 is an animated adventure set on an alien planet that resembles 1950s America. When US astronaut Captain Charles ‘Chuck’ Baker (Dwayne Johnson) makes a landing in an alien’s back garden, he swiftly finds himself targeted by the green-skinned military, headed by the invasion-obsessed General Grawl (Gary Oldman).
Hoping to return to his ship before it leaves without him, Chuck enlists the reluctant help of Lem (Justin Long), a teenager who spends his days working at the planetarium and dreaming of Neera (Jessica Biel), the girl next door. As Lem and his friends attempt to hide Chuck from the military, they gradually form a bond of friendship but time is rapidly running out.
The animation is colourful and nicely designed and there are tonnes of enjoyable sci-fi references for film fans, most notably a dog called Ripley that resembles a baby version of the alien from Alien. Similarly, the cast are fine but they’re all rather short-changed by an unimaginative script that’s painfully low on funny lines and character comedy – something that the vaguely similar Monsters vs Aliens had in abundance.
Unfortunately the paper-thin plot quickly runs out of steam, thanks to an unfocussed script that never really comes together. There are a couple of mildly amusing sight gags (most of which are courtesy of the Alien dog and a wheeled robot called Rover) but there’s not a single laugh-out-loud moment in the whole film.
It doesn’t help that the film opens with an exciting alien invasion sequence that turns out to be a ‘50s-style sci-fi movie called Humaniacs II, that the Planet 51 aliens are watching. Frankly, the filmmakers should have ditched Planet 51 and made Humaniacs II instead – it would have been a lot more fun.
Despite a strong cast and a potentially interesting set-up, there’s really not much more to Planet 51 than an extended game of spot-the-film-reference. Watchable but disappointing.
credits: Clevver | ViewLondon | Yahoo! Movies Singapore
Official Movie Poster |
Singapore Date: 10th December 2009 Language: English Running Time: 90 mins Rating: G Genre: Fantasy Tagline: Something strange is coming to their planet…Us! Starring: Seann William Scott, Justin Long, Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel Directed by: Jorge Blanco Company: Ilion Animation Singapore Distributor: Shaw Organization iZone Rating: 4/10 |
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The movie turned out to be pretty good. It lacked the political trashing that I expected and the humor made me chuckle. There were a few scenes that were too long and could have been, nay, should have been deleted. But, in all, it was a pleasant movie and when over, I enjoyed it.
After watching Monsters Vs. Aliens, I viewed going to Planet 51 with mounted dread. Another bad computer-generated kiddie movie that is impossible to sit through. But I had two free tickets and my son wanted to go. I love him more than I fear a bad movie so we went.
There are those who lament when a kids movie is formulaic. They are obviously not kids. Remember, many things are still fresh and new for kids, even if you have seen them a million times. A movie should be judged for its own sake and its target viewers. The Usual Suspects is a great movie, but terrible for kids. Planet 51 is a decent, not great, but decent movie for adults. It is a good movie for kids.
In fact, in singapore I watched the pre release movie on 5 Dec, and most of the kids love the characters, looking around for merchandise.
I will bring my kid to the Planet 51 parties and fun fairs that they have created for Planet 51 fans… more details I believe you can find in their facebook, or singapore planet 51 website. planet51.com.sg
It is definitely a kid movie, just like the Ben 10 and Sponge Bob, and the Train … etc. meant for kids.
Yes you may say this is a children movie which is a little too draggy and felt it should have ended earlier. Not much of L-O-L scenes that you can really pin point at. A chuckle you may say but to see it with your children and actually you enjoying the movie as well, I won’t recommend it. As you have said, you see it for your children then it’s your choice
Thank you for your review also giving a different perspective of this movie as a parent