User Score
5.2 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 100 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 100
  2. Negative: 40 out of 100

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  1. ChadS
    Nov 21, 2009
    4
    It's the hubris of man, or rather, the hubris of an American man, who would have the gall to ask Lem(Justin Long) if he's considered "good-looking" among his kind. The astronaut can't tell. The inference being, none too subtly, that Captain Baker(Dwayne Johnson) deems the young "alien" ugly. Prior to his landing, mankind was rendered in cheesy sci-fi films as a single giant eye, an appropriate metaphor for the narcissism of the homonymic "I"(the astronaut). Dissimilar from "The Eye of the Beholder"(a 1960 "Twilight Zone" episode written by Rod Serling himself), in which a beautiful woman, whose cosmetic surgery goes awry, is considered hideous by the standards of an otherworldly culture, the human species remain the standard bearer of beauty(the astronaut calls them "sea monkeys") in "Planet 51", despite the context where being tall and Caucasian might be hideous to the short and green. Captain Baker lands not only on another planet, but in another era, as the film documents the moment on our own planet when the hangover of the fifties, still felt, arguably, as late as 1964, finally dissipated, due to the rumblings of an oncoming conflict in Vietnam. There's no war in "Planet 51", but there are peace activists(and a protest singer), who insist that the visitor is friendly. The presence of these proto-hippies suggest "The War of the Worlds" in reverse could happen, an odd fit for a film that doggedly rehashes "E.T.". Well, maybe it might. After all, these planetary denizens wanted to dissect the astronaut's brain. Without any back-up, what choice does Captain Baker have, but to hug Lem like Henry Thomas, as in the finale of the 1982 Steven Spielberg classic. He'll be back and give those misplaced protestors something to protest about. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. IsmaelR.
    Nov 21, 2009
    8
    Once more, I don´t understand critics. This is not the best movie in the world, but it's a good and funny one.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. GabrielH
    Nov 27, 2009
    2
    Just terrible film, lack of originality and in some parts even insulting. not for kids, sure. Brrrr
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. FranciscoO
    Dec 6, 2009
    10
    Great movie, excellent animation.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. EugeneZ
    Dec 7, 2009
    10
    This movie is the SMARTEST animation that I've ever seen (along with “Shrek”-1). It's a parody on our society and behavior, based on prejudice-propaganda-brainwashing, and clear prediction what could happen if “aliens” would come. The movie is funny (and even uses some kind of plagiarism in context to make it funnier) I really like it (as well as my 9-year son) and recommend to anyone. See the movie, enjoy, get some fun and laugh ... on ourselves' reaction that we'll experience if "alien invasion" would ever happen to us. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. LizK
    Nov 21, 2009
    10
    It was pretty amazing, a felling good movie for the kids
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. DaveH.
    Nov 27, 2009
    8
    Better than cloudy with a chance of meatballs. the movie makes the viewer think a little bit.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. FredW
    Nov 28, 2009
    9
    Very funny, indeed, just a simple and a very nice story.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. DanielS.
    Nov 29, 2009
    9
    Wonderful animation movie. There may be people out there that does not understand it.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. KgM.
    Dec 1, 2009
    2
    This picture takes an alien planet and imports a 50s motif and therein lies the basic background of the storyline. The problem is it isn’t interesting, it isn’t funny, and none of the characters are intriguing or original. It’s just lame. Adults will hate it, kids might find some of the ‘potty humor’ laughable but this is no ‘happy days redux’—no it’s just in a perpetual inept daze.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. MattG.
    Dec 2, 2009
    8
    Visually clever and pretty, not great art but definitely great fun.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. MiguelP.
    Dec 3, 2009
    10
    Don't take this bad people but it seems that creeps you out that anybody come to play to your playground. I don't dare to say that this is better than a Pixar's movie, although is far better than Dreamworks "Monsters vs Aliens" By the way the movie is pretty well done to be the first serious Spanish animation movie project.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  13. JaimeM
    Dec 6, 2009
    10
    A very, very good film!!! Don't trust bad reviews made by stupid people who rate Titanic as a 5/5 stars film. TRUST ME!!! You must see this film if you have a good sense of humor, LOVED IT!!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  14. claired
    Nov 21, 2009
    9
    Saw Planet 51 yesterday with my kids (5,7,9 yr) and I really enjoyed it. Very hilarious and well done. Congratulations!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  15. laurar
    Nov 21, 2009
    9
    It´s the perfect movie to see with kids and have a family fun.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  16. johnm
    Nov 21, 2009
    8
    This movie is simply perfect for family entertaining. Both kids and adults will love it. Fun and very touching.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  17. LuisV.
    Nov 20, 2009
    1
    Utterly absurd and unfunny and predictable and dull and insulting. And who the F cares if there really are aliens in the attic !
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  18. JohnFitz
    Nov 22, 2009
    10
    Planet51 was an awesome movie. Highly Recommend.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  19. TamaraS
    Nov 22, 2009
    10
    A must see movie.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  20. JamesH
    Nov 25, 2009
    2
    The worse animated film I've seen in quite a while. SO predictable! NOT funny. The movie could not hold the attention of most of the kids in the theater as they were noisy and fidgety. By comparison, when I saw Wall-e in the theater you could hear a pin drop. I'm giving it a 2 because the animation is descent and there is one funny line when the aliens see the human naked. Otherwise it's a ZERO. AVOID this bore-fest! Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  21. AngelaO.
    Nov 28, 2009
    0
    What a disaster and what a shame! My son and I had to leave the theater before its ending. It is boring and disgusting!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  22. JP
    Nov 29, 2009
    1
    I wish there had been someone to tell me not to take my ENTIRE family for Thanksgiving to this movie. The kids looked forward to this show since we saw the previews months ago. From ages 4-11, this movie was terrible. They wanted to leave the theater, I was falling asleep due to lack of dialogue, and the kids were miserable. They hated sitting there with a movie that didn't have ANY direction. The main character who is a self absorbed fool is so degrading to the title "astronaut". It was so bland and unfulfilled, I wanted to apologize to the family for the awful price we paid to sit there and watch this. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  23. MommySmith
    Nov 29, 2009
    8
    Nice. Light. Funny. Finally, a kids movie which is actually for kids. Nothing scary. (Kids Age 3 + 5).
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  24. MichaelC.
    Dec 10, 2009
    9
    Its not the best animation movie of the year, but its really funny to see, with high quality 3D, simple argument (But simple isn't bad) with some memorable jokes. Ill be really proud if my first animation movie would be like that!! I recommend it.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  25. AntonioM.
    Dec 9, 2009
    9
    This is a very intelligent (and fun) movie, in the line of Shrek-1 (no surprise as Joe Stillman is the writer in both). I went to see it with my 5 years old daughter and she liked it a lot...but I liked it more because I could understand most of the intelligent jokes which the film is literally filled with. From the title (clear reference to Area 51 where the aliens are supposed to be kept secretly by the U.S.), to references to films like Alien, E.T., B series movies (50 feet woman,...), like details in the background (Comics starring a green giant called "Bulked" (Hulk)... Despite not being as round as Shrek-1, it clearly has much more attention to detail to make jokes even on the background as the main action is taking place. As said, a good film for kids but even better film for adults with other movies background. Very intelligent. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  26. JohnJohn
    Nov 22, 2009
    9
    Funny!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  27. Aug 26, 2010
    8
    Planet 51 has good animation, an funny plot and easy-to-please moments, but has an very predictable end - and even children knows that, but stays a question in all heads, before the end: he stays there or he goes?
  28. May 26, 2011
    3
    Its a shame that this movie didn't use it's smart plot to a benefit or I would have given this movie a higher rating if it had a better cast and if it was funnier, but like I said it falls too short.
  29. Mar 21, 2011
    4
    This family animated film was okay not great. The concept of the alien civilization being in the 1950s was dumb. Even some of the music from the 1950s by dumb pop singers was retarded. The acting was okay too. This movie is for kids only, not adults.
  30. Apr 19, 2011
    4
    This Is A VERY Uncreative Movie... The Voices Are Nah-Nah... But This Is Cute For Kids...
  31. Nov 13, 2011
    3
    Planet 51 does have a unique concept of an alien race in a 1950's flair environment, but the whole execution of the movie was a complete disaster. The story was quickly forgettable with humour so dull that Dwayne Johnson (voice of Charles T. Baker aka the Astronaut) couldn't save this animated feature to be highly entertaining. With a poor execution and only two scenes that will make you laugh, Planet 51 is at best to be a direct to video film than a theatrical feature. Expand
  32. Nov 18, 2011
    6
    PLANET 51 is a nice, little kiddie film that has many great homages to famous sci-fi movies.
  33. Dec 2, 2011
    1
    Planet 51 may have great animation, but the thin plotted story and uninteresting characters make it very boring. It lacks fun in a lot of ways. The premise was interesting, but was poorly executed.
  34. Jan 29, 2012
    2
    It has a very intriguing premise but the whole film is a wreck. With boring voice acting and bad animation along with it not being funny, Save your money and don't see it. i give this movie 19%.
  35. May 14, 2012
    4
    Planet 51 is a poor animation movie. It haves a really stupid story, but sometimes it gets kinda interesting, sometimes, because this move is a let down. Even the animation is amateur and poor.
Metascore

Generally unfavorable - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 21
  2. Negative: 4 out of 21
  1. A perky though not terribly imaginative feature aimed primarily at youngsters.
  2. Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    40
    There's nothing funny, provocative or involving about what "Shrek" co-writer Joe Stillman and the team from Madrid-based Ilion Animation Studios do with the notion here.
  3. Reviewed by: Brian Miller
    40
    Like "E.T." in reverse, this pleasantly mediocre CG animation tale lands an astronaut on a distant planet.