A role reversal of the friendly alien story, Planet 51 will surprise many with its on key sci-fi satire.

The film is the feature debut from Illian Animation Studios, a Spain based company who has (foolishly?) decided to compete against American juggernauts Pixar and Dreamworks Animation, and as far as debuts go, Planet 51 is not a bad start.

Dwayne Johnson voices Captain Charles T. Baker, an egotistical astronaut who lands on a supposedly uninhabited planet, only to find an alien civilization going about their daily lives. Alien teen Lem (Justin Long) befriends Baker, and assists in devising a plan to get him back to his space station and out of the clutches of the military (led by Gary Oldman).

The first thing that viewers will notice is the 1950s era setting of the films unnamed alien planet. Although no explanation is given plot wise to why these extraterrestrials are living their own version of Happy Days, it is easy to see why conceptually director Jorge Blanco and co. has chosen such an environment, with UFO paranoia at its most innocent and wondrous during that decade.

Second is the choice use of satire used in the film. Written by Joe Stillman (of Shrek fame), Planet 51 does for sci-fi what Shrek did for the fantasy genre. Cheeky odes to (albeit better) films such as E.T. and Alien, (including a H.R. Giger inspired puppy/Alien who pees acid, worthy of the degrading lows the once mighty monster has fallen to), work well even though it does tend to get a little testing.

Target market wise, and Planet 51 hits shaky ground. Although it is family friendly fair, some of the sci-fi references will go over the heads of many a child, while the slapstick will have some adults rolling their eyes.  

Thankfully, space is also given for non-satirical humour. Baker’s landing and proclaimed ownership of alien land via an American flag, to the bewildered look of the locals, is a laugh out loud moment; as to is the reference to vomit inducing pop hit “Macarena” as a “cruel sadistic weapon”, for in a time when music is used as torture that song would be high on the list.

A welcome throwback to a time when animation was kid friendly. Looking forward to what these guys will deliver next.