This Island Earth
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Movie Reviews of This Island Earth
Movie Review: THE METALUNANS ARE WATCHING
Summary: 4 Stars
One of the most thoughtful and well-written gems of classic 50's sci-fi, THIS ISLAND EARTH has seen its reputation dimmed a little over the years in comparison to some of its cousins, such as WAR OF THE WORLDS, THE THING, or THEM!. Granted, those are classics in their own right, but so is THIS ISLAND EARTH. I think the reason this film is often a bit downplayed in modern circles is the slow pace at which everything moves, especially in the opening half-hour when our characters and the unique situation they find themsleves in is being gradually developed. There is some validity in this, as things do take a while to build up, but the compensation is believable, relatively three-dimensional characters and a fairly tenable rationale for the fantastic plot. Acting and direction are very good, with excellent performances by Rex Reason, Faith Domerque, and Jeff Morrow. Reason combines scientific expertise with a degree of sci-fi heroism quite effectively, while Domergue is not only exquisitely beautiful but brainy and brave, as well. Morrow's character is perhaps the backbone of the story, however, an alien called Exeter who evolves along with the plot. Special effects are of course not up to our contemporary standards, but after all the movie was made five decades ago. For their time, the FX were cutting edge, and even today they are still good enough to entertain. No, there is no bargain-basement CGI, but isn't that sometimes a good thing? THIS ISLAND EARTH deserves its generally accepted classic status, pacing and all. It is a very literate and surprisingly cerebral little mastperpiece of sci-fi history, one which modern fans would do well to take the time to enjoy.Movie Review: Likeable Sci-Fi classic from the fifties with memorable Monster.
Summary: 4 Stars
My title review could describe many a classic Sci-Fier from that decade, but few forget a film like "This Island Earth'(1955).
Universal made many Sci-Fi classics in the 1950s, but this was bigger budgeted and more thought provoking than most. It was also in color and it's special effects are actually top of the line for the time.
The plot is about how a group of aliens are enlisting the aid of humans(unwillingly) to help save there dying planet which has undergone devastation due to war. The aliens are depicted sympathetically and lead alien, Jeff Morrow in an odd role, is quite good.
Rex Reason and Faith Domergue are the scientists that journey to there planet aboard there spaceship and there likeable enough protagonists. There they encounter one of make up artist Bud Westmore's strangest creations with the "Metaluna Mutant", a strange humanoid insect thing with a giant external brain and clipper hands! It's still a pretty creepy Monster and one of the most memorable of the 50s.
While the film wasn't as intellectually compelling as say "Forbidden Planet'(1954), "The Day the Earth Stood Still"(1951) or "The Incredible Shrinking Man"(1957), the film still has enough brains and charm to entertain many years after the fact and still remains an enjoyable Sc-Fi adventure.
The DVD is practically bare bones and it's odd that Universal chose not to place this one there "Ultimate Sci-Fi Collection", but oh well. It's still worth any Science Fiction fans time, eve without any Special Features.
Movie Review: Earth is my kind of Island, I like the atmosphere.
Summary: 4 Stars
~~Brief Synopsis~~
One day electronic expert Dr Cal Meacham is sent some unusual components through the post, his curiosity is aroused even more when a book arrives showing him how to build an Alien device using the components.
This is the start of an adventure that leads to another planet, involvement in an interplanetary war, and a possible invasion of Earth.
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This delightful and very fifties film, is to me the epitome of fifties Sci-fi.
Uncommonly for a Sci-fi film from this era it's in vibrant colour, and really makes the most out of it.
A simple storyline, competent actors,and most refreshingly of all no CGI.
I'm not totally against modern films useing CGI, the trouble I find is, they rely on it too much. And it's only recently that it's started to look realistic. I prefer films from the fifties which use a well detailed model, well lit.
The remote controlled DC-3 aircraft, used by the aliens to bring the Earth scientist's to them was an intriguing idea for 1955.
This is a film for all fifties science fiction connoisseur's.
Based on the novel by Raymond F Jones.
(Modern Sci-fi movies could learn a lot about pacing, from these 50's classic's.)
Movie Review: Universal Releases Best DVD Of This Yet......
Summary: 4 Stars
I just received my copy of this new Universal release of one of my old favorite 50s classics, "This Island Earth". No doubt it would have been nice if they had included some special features to compliment the film, but i would have to say they did a pretty good job on the print quality....It's much better then the previous Image Entertainment release.
Colors are more prominent, the image is clearer and sharper, and the dolby mono sound track is the best i have ever heard for this film..There is occassionally some "specks" in the film image, but not very often (and i think the Image one had that also)...fans of the film should be pretty pleased (especially at this very reasonable price)...
The controversy continues about why this movie is full screen and not widescreen..Actually, i think the Mystery Science version has a "psuedo widescreen" it's really a full screen image that has the top and bottom "chopped" off to make it look like a widescreen film...."This Island Earth" was not filmed in widescreen!
Anyway, if you are a fan of the movie, don't hestitate to order it, i think you will be pretty pleased.....
Movie Review: Classic 50's SciFi
Summary: 4 Stars
I wanted to get this movie to escape from todays depresing reality news and what better way to do that? I have seen this film on TV and always enjoyed it but this DVD makes it look better than ever. I have to admit they did a great job getting a good print to transfer this film to DVD. I would suspect this is the original negative and it shows. The images are clear and with classic Technicolor it look great. This film will never get a frame by frame restoration so you do see dirt and white specs from time to time but other than that it looks good for a film that is 55 years old. It would probably cost 1 or 2 hundred thousand to restore it and it would never sell enough copies to get it back. Its good enough as is.
I do wonder if it was ever shot in wide screen? There is some argument about this but....
One note to ad, this is a 2006 release which I read is much better than the earlier out of print Image Entertainment release from years before so make sure you get the Universal release. After all it makes sense since this was a Universal Picture.