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Catholic movie review - Planet 51 |
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By Joseph McAleer - Catholic News Service
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Thursday, 19 November 2009 |
It's "Ozzie and Harriet" with an alien twist on "Planet 51" (TriStar), a delightful animated comedy that represents a clever riff on the cheesy science fiction B-movies of the 1950s.
Scene from the animated comedy "Planet 51." - CNS photo/Ilion Animation Studios
In a galaxy far, far away little green aliens are living in a "Happy Days"-style suburbia, complete with white picket fences, backyard barbecues, tea parties, dogs chasing mailmen, teen angst, comic books and muscle cars with chrome fins. Adding spice to this innocent world is the local drive-in, showing the latest horror movie where one-eyed monsters called "Humaniacs" launch an invasion and turn everyone into zombies.
It's good clean fun -- until a real "alien" drops from the sky in a NASA capsule, and all heck breaks loose.
Enter one unsuspecting and overconfident astronaut, Captain Charles
"Chuck" Baker (voice of "The Rock," Dwayne Johnson), and you have a
classic fish-out-of-water tale. Chuck befriends Lem (voice of Justin
Long), a shy nerdy kid who dreams of other worlds in his job at the
planetarium, while pining for the comely Neera (voice of Jessica Biel).
The story shifts to chase-movie mode as Lem and his friends scramble to
help this E.T. return home by escaping the clutches of evil Gen. Grawl
(voice of Gary Oldman) and his mad-scientist ally, Professor Kipple
(voice of John Cleese). Together they run Base 9, the top-secret "Area
51"-type facility where alien ephemera is housed.
Viewers will enjoy the many clever references to sci-fi classics like "Star Wars" and "War of the Worlds."
Practically stealing the movie (and owing a lot to "Wall-E") is Rover,
Chuck's robot companion, who lives up to his name, bouncing about like
man's best friend. True to his programming, Rover ignores all alien
life in search of rock samples. On Planet 51, it rains "rocks and
dogs," and amid a shower of pebbles Rover has a hilarious "Singing in
the Rain" moment worthy of Gene Kelly.
The first feature of Ilion Animation Studios, based in Spain, and
directed by Jorge Blanco, Javier Abad, and Marcos Martinez, "Planet 51"
is a funny, fast-paced, and colorfully rendered movie worthy of Pixar
status. The screenplay by Joe Stillman ("Shrek" and "Shrek 2") is laden
with sight gags and witty one-liners.
"Planet 51" features positive life lessons about friendship, loyalty,
and acceptance of others. Chuck comes to realize that having the "right
stuff" means risking everything to help a stranger in need. And he
tells Lem, "Don't be afraid of the unknown. It's not something to be
afraid of. It can be your best friend."
Apart from one unfortunate sexual joke ("That's a funny place for an
antenna") and some mildly suggestive humor, this is a wholesome and fun
film that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I --
general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is
PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable
for children.
McAleer is a guest reviewer for the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops' Office for Film & Broadcasting. More reviews are available
online at www.usccb.org/movies.
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