Review of Forbidden Planet (1956) by Alex S — 24 Aug 2011

This film shows you don't need incredible graphics or special effects to tell a great story. A clear precursor to so many things in Star Trek the following decade, and for the genre, it probably deserves even a slightly higher rating.

You have the genius stranded on an isolated planet (Walter Pidgeon), learning advanced technology. You have the young nymph (Anne Francis) who is sexually unaware but willing to take lessons from crewmen all too eager to provide them, stoking the fantasies of male sci-fi fans.

You have Robby the Robot, who has been programmed to obey, but with prime directives not to kill humans. And you have unseen alien with formidable knowledge and power. The scene where the beast lights up under laser fire and attacks crewmen, flinging them through the air, is fantastic.

The concept of the Krell and their machine is as well. There are moments of levity mixed in with the philosophizing and opining about the human race. On the downside, the acting isn't all that great and Leslie Nielsen's performance in particular is uneven.

The script is cheesy in several places so be prepared for that, but to me it added to the camp value.