chaswe-28402
Misled, having been told this was Shakespeare in outer space, I found this enormously disappointing. Others seem to think this disaster was the first science fiction film. In 1956 ? Metropolis, genuine science fiction, was created in 1928. There were in any case dozens of greater films, of every sort, in far more glorious Technicolor, long before 1956. I thought this was supposed to be an updated version of Shakespeare, but other than the marooned father and daughter, I could find hardly any parallels. Perhaps the Id was meant to be Caliban. The best that can be said about this weird production is that it's a true curiosity. The only figure that remotely resembled a professional actor was Walter Pigeon, and the dialogue and events, especially those involving the would-be Miranda, reached depths of unique inanity.
Ian
(Flash Review)A space crew travels to planet Altair to investigate a mission that has lost contact over the last 20 years. Upon their arrival, they are greeted by a bulbous, cute and smart robot. He takes them to the remaining people of the original mission. Much of the crew is overly distracted by the presence of a young female and the man in charge would rather have them leave. While helping them to resupply their space ship, he shares much knowledge of his research, which includes an intellectual species called Krell. What have they discovered and will it pose a threat? The remainder of the movie is a mix of humor, thinking mind games and a bit of mystery. It's a fun piece of 50's Sci- Fi with some clever and corny styles, sets and machines. Pacing, cinematography and dialog could have been stronger.
Myriam Nys
"Forbidden planet" is not the most intelligent movie ever filmed ; there probably are fourteen-year old school girls capable of writing a sharper, wittier, tauter script or more astute dialogues. Some of the performances leave a lot to be desired, too : Anne Francis, as daughter to the local scientist / magician, was supposed to be naively innocent and sweetly mischievous, but I found her so cloyingly twee that she grated on my nerves like nails on a blackboard. (In mitigation it can be said that Miss Francis wasn't given much of role to work with.) An eccentric scientist with a young, gorgeous daughter who becomes the love interest of the hero - now here's a novel idea ! While not a feast for the intellect, the movie is a feast for the eyes : there's a wildly abundant and inventive artistic imagination, brought to life by exquisite sets and superb visual and special effects. For instance, there is a titanic "city" boasting miles and miles of machines and records beyond human comprehension. There is also a deeply impressive scene, where some kind of dimly observed beast tries to break through the defense of a small human settlement. The beast itself is pretty much invisible, but one can catch just enough glimpses of its outlines to grasp its seething, roaring ferocity.Finally it should be said that the movie, while not the sharpest science fiction knife in the block, makes an excellent point about the nature and limits of progress : no civilization, however advanced, brilliant and wise, is as civilized as it hopes or thinks.
Jeremy Ellis
This is a must see landmark film for any fan of classic sci-fi. A with an ingenious and intelligent plot line, and effects that were ahead of its time. This 1956 adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" paved the way for the future of the science fiction film genre. Sometimes monsters hide where you least expect them.
AD
