Variety
There's nothing funny, provocative or involving about what "Shrek" co-writer Joe Stillman and the team from Madrid-based Ilion Animation Studios do with the notion here.
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Planet 51
Animated tale about an astronaut who lands on the mysterious Planet 51, thinking he has discovered an uninhabited new world. When he meets the planet’s little green residents, he confirms their worst fears – that they may be invaded by ‘aliens’. Oddly, the environment in which they live looks rather like America in the 1950s. Befriended by one of their kind, the astronaut must avoid being captured, recover his spacecraft and get himself home.
This is directed by respected artist and sculptor Jorge Blanco and produced by Spanish CGI studio Ilion Animation. Voices include Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel and Gary Oldman. From the writer of Shrek.
Less2009Rating: PG, contains low level violence90 minsUSA, Spain
AnimatedKids & Family
- Director:
- Jorge BlancoJavier AbadMarcos Martinez (feature debuts)
- Writer:
- Joe Stillman
- Cast:
- Dwayne JohnsonJessica BielJustin LongSeann William ScottGary OldmanJohn Cleese
Planet 51 | Reviews
Total Film
Sadly, that fate would appear to have already befallen Oscar-nommed Shrek writer Joe Stillman, who riffs on every sci-fi flick he can think of without coming up with anything clever, funny or involving. Well, apart from a love story between the NASA robo-rover (read: WALL•E) and a pet mini-alien.
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Roger Ebert
Although not bowling me over, Planet 51 is a jolly and good-looking animated feature in glorious 2-D.
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Los Angeles Times
It's a missed opportunity. The premise is OK enough, even if it is like one of those old "Star Trek" episodes.
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Hollywood Reporter
A perky though not terribly imaginative feature aimed primarily at youngsters.
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