Planet 51 -- New on DVD

What would happen if an all-American astronaut landed on a planet in the far reaches of the universe only to find that it is he that is "alien"? That is the question posed in the charming "Planet 51". A clever take on the 1950's paranoia films centering around alien invasion, the film is a reversal of the standard roles. Planet 51 is populated by little green men, women, boys, and girls in an alter-ego to 1950's suburbia. Think "Pleasantville" in green rather than black and white.

While the town is a white-picket heaven, they live in scientific ignorance and a comic-book driven paranoia of the unknown, the "different". Our central character, Lem (voiced by Justin Long) is a love-struck teen who has just gotten his dream job when he decides to help the monstrous invader -- Captain Charles Baker (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson expanding his family film resume) -- escape from the hyper-authoritarian clutches of General Grawl (Gary Oldman). This film plays on every cliche of the genre and how! It is an amusing look at how we have portrayed (and to some degree still do ) those things that frighten us and how we might be viewed in the other shoes. Also, there is a collection of "protesting" teens that provide a voice of reason as well as a humorous take on the long-haired hippies of the '60s.

There is little bit of innuendo including a joke about the naked astronaut and a misplaced antenna which my son did tune in on. Nonetheless, there was no foul language and both children enjoyed it.

I would say, "Settle In" and enjoy it with the kids.

Overall:

Age Appropriateness:

Child Attention Span:

Adult Enjoyment: