Review of Forbidden Planet (1956) by Stephen E — 20 Jan 2013

The ship C57D travels to Altair IV to check up on the colony based there. Nothing has been heard from them in some time. As the crew approach they are "warned off" by Dr. Morbious. He tells Commander J. J. Adams (Leslie Nielsen) that all is fine and that there is no need to land or look any further. The Commander dismisses this, lands anyway and we find out why Morbious was so reluctant to "roll out the red carpet".

Forbidden Planet is a classic Sci-Fi movie and one of the best of the 1950's. No small feat considering it is contending with such classics as; The Day The Earth Stood Still, The War of the Worlds, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Incredible Shrinking Man, This Island Earth, Them!, It Came From Outer Space, Invaders From Mars and Destination Moon. Personally I've always thought The Blob was pretty good too.

It boasts lavish sets, great special effects, a cool robot, sex appeal and many light hearted moments. It has and continues to influence Sci-Fi movies to this day. Be it C3PO in Star Wars or following blips on a radar made by a seemingly invisible enemy in Alien. Not bad given the fact that it would be another 13 years before man actually landed on the Moon. Considering this and the year it was made, the audience must have been overcome with a sense of wonder when it was originally screened.

I think that Morbious' daughter Alta (Anne Francis) offers not only sex appeal but a light hearted, romantic love interest that breaks up the main story and adds an intriguing sub-plot.

And how can you review Forbidden Planet without mentioning Robbie the Robot. Robbie is fun, entertaining and very memorable. His likeness has been seen in many other movies since; from Gremlins, to Lost in Space to The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

For all the Sci-Fi wonder and massive achievements of the Krell, I found it quite insightful that, even in this setting, it was the dangers of the human unconscious mind that was the real enemy. Mr. Freud, you should be proud.

I really do enjoy Forbidden Planet. It should be included in any top Sci-Fi list. Its lots of fun, very cool (if a little kitsch) and offers the audience a great deal over the 98 minutes that it runs for. Thank God there hasn't been a remake, long may that continue.