The Phantom Planet (1961)

the audience applauded

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Super low budget science fiction story about astronauts in the distant future of 1980 exploring the vast reaches of space and discovering a mysterious new plant. On that planet they find miniature people, sexy ladies, and a giant monster (played by Richard "Jaws" Kiel in his feature film debut). It's a pretty dumb story with terrible production values, so this film is only watchable as a so-bad-it's-good kind of movie, although 7' 2" Richard Kiel is always entertaining, even under heavy make-up, so that's added entertainment value if you're a fan.

There seemed to be a lot of dodgy thinking going on, considering this was space exploration. For instance, spaceships going along a certain route keep on mysteriously disappearing, and the man in charge simply decides to send one more ship at a time, along the same route. What's going to happen when he runs out of men? And there are many other instances that defy all attempts at logic. This is one of those films that would have given Spock a sleepless night, let me tell you.As I'm finishing up my now-legendary Mill Creek 50-pack, 'Nightmare Worlds', I watched this, and it was fun, fine and downright decent. I had a good time, and it was very enjoyable with some interesting ideas (and Richard Kiel in a rubber monster suit), once I put my brain into suspended animation. As of yet, I haven't bothered with MST3K or its related ilk, as I fail to see the point--the idea seems stupid and condescending. It seems like if the neighbourhood prostitute regularly charged say, $5, and for $50, you would have the experience, but with two losers there, laughing at her and explaining to you why she was a whore. At least to my estimation, cinema shouldn't be experienced like that. Every film is like a woman, appreciates its own love and understanding, and furthermore, deserves to be treated like a lady.

After an invisible asteroid draws an astronaut (Dean Fredericks) and his ship to its surface, he is miniaturized by the phantom planet's exotic atmosphere.The most notable thing about this film is that it features the debut of Richard Kiel. Unfortunately, he is wearing a mask and is completely unrecognizable. If no one has done so, I hope someone gets an interview with him about this film and puts it on a future special edition release.Other than that, it is pretty standard 1950s-1960s science fiction, with some laughable moments concerning how they treat gravity in space. Apparently you can walk on a spaceship without problems, but moments later float away for no reason.

I must admit that I did not watched an old Sci-Fi movie since long time, so, maybe I'm not what they call an expert in classical movies. I am the child of my times, so I'm used with the new wave of Sci-Fi movies, full of action and special effects.Still I enjoyed this classic film and I think is worth viewing. You can find a bit of everything in this movie.The dream of nuclear power as fuel for rockets. Some kind of Gulliver among the people of Liliput. The highly advanced civilization who gives up to the comfort of technology (and all the dangers that comes with it) to live a simple "primitive" life. A touch of Ancient Greek fashion style in the dress models of the main feminine characters. An echo of Feminism: female juries wearing short dresses. And at the end, the somehow blurred line between what is real and what is not.The "special effects" and the general style reminds me of Star Trek TOS. And just like in Star Trek, the monster aliens look unconvincing. But we should admit that the creators of this movie did their best for that time. I could point out some goofs, but I think we should show some understanding and just enjoy this classic!