Forbidden Planet (1956) - 9/10

I’m not sure I’ve ever watched Forbidden Planet in full. I feel I have, but this can happen with classic films sometimes. You’re so exposed to them through pop culture, you feel like you’ve seen them even when you’ve not. Mankind has cracked space travel and is out exploring in flying saucers. This could feel twee, but the reason this is worthy of its classic status, is the instant tone of production quality. We’re onboard with Commander Adams (Leslie Nielsen). Everything is super clean, matching outfits, a ton of hair oil, lots of 50s future concept lights and switches and some lovely sound design. They’ve come to investigate a planet named Altair-4, to find previously visiting survivors. It’s an Earth-like planet, but isn’t friendly. Dr Morbius (Walter Pidgeon), one of those survivors, warns them not to land and to leave immediately. Well Adams isn’t going to stand for that, he’s got orders. Once on the planet’s surface we’re met with more sci-fi delight. Dusty teal skies, matte painted moons and of course Robby, the robot (voiced by Marvin Miller), who whisks Adams and crew off to see Morbius in his Jetson style home. Morbius is a dark soul, dressed appropriately. He’s genial, but has a theatrical flare and he’s hiding something. His daughter, the mini-skirted Altaira (Anne Francis) for one. She’s a distraction for the space travellers and a tiresome 50s patriarchal nod, but having never been to Earth, she’s comically non-plussed by their advances. It’s knowingly funny, confidently so, but the quaint menace is never far away. The plot is clunkily unfurled, but the sets, sound and special effects are so wonderful, it’s easily forgiven. 70 years old this year and it still looks marvellous, with scenes that have set the benchmark for science fiction to present day. The acting is all of its time, but it’s still entertaining and as we reach into the third act, it finds its big alien feet.

9/10