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Planet 51 Movie Trailer

MPAA Rating: PG, for mild sci-fi action and some suggestive humor
Genre: Animated/Comedy
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Seann William Scott, Gary Oldman, John Cleese
Studio: TriStar Pictures (Sony)
Director: Jorge Blanco
Release Date: November 20, 2009

Planet 51 - Overview

When astronaut Captain Charles "Chuck" Baker lands on Planet 51, he quickly realizes that he is not alone.

The world is inhabited by green aliens -- green aliens who seem to be stuck in 1950s America as a matter of fact. No explanation as to how this remarkable resemblance to American culture came about, or as to how the aliens speak English, but no matter, an alien named Lem agrees to help Chuck (who is actually the alien on this planet) out and get him back to his ship.

This task proves harder than expected, though, when alien General Grawl and Professor Kipple get involved. Convinced the "humaniac" is out to take over the Planet 51 inhabitants' brains, the General and his army set out to capture Chuck. At great peril to himself, Lem continues to try and help chuck. With the help of a few of Lem's friends and Chuck's trusty pal Rover, they just might succeed, and if Chuck can put aside his grand vision of himself, he just might be able to teach the inhabitants of Planet 51 a thing or two about the what lies beyond.

Planet 51 - Guide Review for Parents

Planet 51 may have started with an original premise, but that is where the creativity ended.

The movie is predictable from start to finish, complete with dull characters and flat comedy that utilizes the usual rude jokes intended to make kids laugh along with an occasional jab intended for the adults in the audience -- if they are not too busy looking at their watches to notice them. That being said, young kids will likely enjoy the alien characters and the chaos that a human on their planet causes. Most of the kids, especially boys ages 4-8ish, who attended the screening I did described the movie as "fun."

Although Planet 51 does contain some innuendo and a mild rude jokes, the one redeeming quality of the film is that it does not contain profanity, alcohol, drugs, or tense and unsettling scenes. Compared to other recent releases which have given kids a lot -- maybe too much -- to think about, Planet 51 gives them little to think about.

Some scenes in the movie may be scary for very young children. The characters get themselves into some perilous situations, and cartoon violence in the movie includes guns, tanks and other weapons which cause various explosions and destruction. The violence is injected with a lot of silliness, so does not have a very heavy effect, but it is there nonetheless, and the General has the stereotypical do anything to get the enemy attitude. Also, the theme of alien invaders and fighting aliens is present throughout the movie.

Planet 51 - Content Overview

*May contain spoilers.

• Violence (High): The movie begins with a movie within a movie where aliens are watching a flick about aliens invading their planet. Lasers and weapons are used, and a couple of aliens are disintegrated. The fighting that actually occurs on Planet 51 is not as violent and is injected with comedy; although guns, tanks, and other weapons are used. Aliens shoot at Chuck, Rover, and each other, and since much of that is played for comedy, shooting at things is seen as funny. Fighting and explosions cause various property damage throughout the film.
• Scary Scenes (High): Scenes listed under "Violence" may be frightening to very young kids. Kids may worry about main characters such as Chuck during various perilous situations, like when Professor Kipple comes at him with a saw, about to cut open his head to study the brain (but obviously he isn't able to complete the task).
  

• Sad/Unsettling Scenes (Low): Lem is sad when he feels like Chuck has ruined his life. He is also sad when the girl he likes gets angry with him.
• Sex/Nudity (Low): Two aliens are shown "parking," but they are interrupted before they can kiss. Two aliens kiss. A couple of jokes with innuendo are made, like when Chuck's blanket falls off and an alien, looking at his nakedness, says, "That's a funny place for an antenna."
• Drugs and Alcohol (None):
• Profanity (None):
• Disrespectful/Imitative Behavior (Medium): Chuck's attitude is arrogant, and he places great value on his looks and charm. Violence in the movie plays out in a comical manner, and thus kids might think it's funny and want to imitate the characters shooting weapons or pretending to practice "mind control" on each other.

Planet 51 Topics to Discuss

• After seeing Planet 51, kids may have questions about: space, astronauts, aliens, other planets, "parking," the '50s and other decades, the universe.