Planet 51 (2009): Dir: Jorge Blanco, Javier Abad / Voices: Dwayne Johnson, Justin Long, Jessica Biel, Gary Oldman, Seann William Scott: Family animation about places and the beings living there. Astronaut Charles lands on a strange planet populated by green people. Among them is Lem who befriends him and struggles to hide him from authorities who seized his spacecraft. Directed by Jorge Blanco and Javier Abad who have fun with placing the shoe on the other foot in terms of who is on what turf. While the narrative is certainly bland at best it is equipped with a colorful animated world. Dwayne Johnson voices Chuck who gradually adapts in communicating. He is now the one being observed as oppose to the one observing. Justin Long voices the ambitious Lem who decides to assist him in reaching his ship. We know how this turns out and the supporting characters are an even bigger torn in the side. Jessica Biel voices the bland love interest Neera and that pretty much sums her up. Gary Oldman plays the stereotypical General Grawl who is out to expose and exterminate Chuck. Seann William Scott voices Lem's best friend who works at a comic book store. The role is as straight forward as it sounds. The screenplay will hardly appeal to adults but children may find its simplicity amusing. Interesting concept places humans as the observed and misunderstood. Score: 6 / 10
Review of Planet 51
