In terms of animation, Planet 51 is out of this world. Then there's the story and the characters, which are about as dull as a dirty penny.
Planet 51 (2009)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:98
Fresh:22
Rotten:76
Average Rating:4.2/10
Consensus: Planet 51 squanders an interesting premise with an overly familiar storyline, stock characters, and humor that alternates between curious and potentially offensive.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for mild sci-fi action and some suggestive humor.
Runtime: 1 hr 31 mins
Genre: Childrens
Theatrical Release:Nov 20, 2009 Wide
Box Office: $42,194,060
Synopsis: The tables are turned in this animated sci-fi adventure featuring the voices of Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Seann William Scott, Gary Oldman, and John Cleese. In PLANET 51, an... The tables are turned in this animated sci-fi adventure featuring the voices of Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Seann William Scott, Gary Oldman, and John Cleese. In PLANET 51, an astronaut arrives on a distant planet, but he's not alone; he's surrounded by aliens who desperately fear invasion by...aliens. [More]
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Seann William Scott
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Seann William Scott, Gary Oldman, John Cleese
Director: Jorge Blanco
Director: Jorge Blanco
Screenwriter: Joe Stillman
Producer: Ignacio Perez Dolset, Guy Collins
Studio: New Line Cinema
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Reviews for Planet 51
A short-sighted assembly of sci-fi references and scatalogical humor that should nonetheless placate undemanding tots ... for ninety minutes or so.
Nothing really gels and Planet 51 just comes across as shrill, rushed and unfunny.
While certainly diverting, its overly frantic attempts at humour, pointless homages to other films and lack of charm mean it falls some way short. It’s not terrible but neither is it memorable.
A charming spoof of cold-war alien paranoia, this is visually inventive and full of action, but could do with more humour.
Well and truly aimed at kids, Planet 51 is a film they will thoroughly enjoy yet which any accompanying adult will have lots of laughs in too.
Just how much of this will be appreciated by children is questionable, but the film is clearly intended to keep them happy with lashings of colour, movement and cheesy jokes while older, diehard geeks can enjoy all the reference spotting.
Funny and well designed, but doesn't live up to potential due to uninspired dialogue and heavy hand of marketing.
The screenplay aims wide for every snappy, pop-culture joke that can possibly be cracked. But the viewer’s funnybone remains an elusive target.
Little kids who've never seen this story before might get a kick out of it and its bold colours. Parents will be yawning and looking at their watches. At least G-Force dared you to hate it; this just dares you to stay awake.
Glar and his friends are more or less all-purpose protestors, showing up on sidewalks with placards announcing, "We're really upset!" over nothing specific. And that makes them about as amiable and as bland as everyone else on Planet 51.
There’s enough of a storyline here to keep younger space cadets moderately settled.
It could have added up to something. Alas, any excitement is submerged by the relentless barrage of trite sci-fi allusions and nudge-nudge gags aimed solely at adults.
The action pans out pretty predictably but such is the verve of the story and the impressive visuals you may find yourself heading off course to catch Planet 51.
The laughs come thick and fast in a sprightly kid pleaser full of slapstick set-pieces and memorable characters, while more grown-up viewers will find themselves grinning at pastiches of the Cold War paranoia of bygone sci-fi movies.
An extremely dull and unfunny comedy with pop-culture references where the gags should be, and humdrum voicings.
While pretty much a cut-and-shut of every animated movie of the past decade, this sci-fi comedy should achieve blast-off with the under-10s. For adults, however, this is as solidly so what? as you can get.
Latest News for Planet 51
December 10, 2009:
full trailer and preview at Movies for the Masses ![]()
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November 19, 2009:
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This week at the movies, we've got hot teen vampires (The Twilight Saga: New Moon, starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson); a football family (The Blind Side, starring... More...
February 08, 2009:
Trailer & Poster review ![]()
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January 16, 2009:
New: Brand New Trailer ![]()
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|---|---|
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