PLANET 51
An amusing alien adventure with mild concerns for young children.
Should You Watch It?
Planet 51 offers a lively animated comedy with a good central setup: an American astronaut becomes the alien invader on a planet that has spent years fearing creatures from outer space. The movie is funny and exciting, and its themes include sacrifice, repentance, and not fearing the unknown.
The tradeoff is that the story and animation do not reach the level of some recent Hollywood animated films. The movie also pokes fun at the 1950s as repressed and paranoid, while presenting a light Romantic and politically correct perspective. Younger children may also need help processing poop jokes, an off-color joke, and some cartoon danger.
If your family includes older children, Planet 51 is worth the trip; use discernment with younger viewers.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESOn Planet 51, young Lem begins a job at the local observatory while his friend Skiff works at a comic book store. Their society is fascinated—and frightened—by stories of alien invaders.
Then an American astronaut named Chuck lands on their planet. While the military searches for him, Chuck asks Lem to hide him. The two have only 72 hours before Chuck’s orbiting command module begins its journey back to Earth.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means Planet 51 is a good, enjoyable movie with noticeable limitations. Its premise is fun, the adventure is exciting, and the comedy gives the animated story energy.
The animation and storytelling, however, are not quite as amazing as other recent animated efforts. The movie works best as a light science-fiction comedy rather than as a standout in the genre.
The Worldview
Planet 51 has a light Romantic worldview centered on the idea that people should not fear the unknown. It includes strong moral elements and light redemptive values involving sacrifice and repentance.
The movie presents the 1950s as overly repressed and paranoid, and it includes some politically correct, anti-military content. Its outlook also treats the 1960s as more fun and ultimately sides with the desire of protest movements to improve society. The film’s perspective can overlook reasons people had for fearing Communism and social upheaval during those periods.
The film’s central message about fear is a useful starting point, even though its historical and political conclusions are debatable. Scripture says, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Light Romantic worldview poking fun at the 1950s for being too “repressed” and paranoid, with primary message not to fear the unknown, some strong moral elements, and light redemptive values of sacrifice and repentance, plus some light politically correct, anti-military content; no foul language but some references to “poop,” scared small landing rover spills oil under itself when frightened in one scene, alien dog urinates acid twice, and implied vomiting by child; light cartoon action violence such as two soldiers within an animated movie in the movie are melted, scary Cyclops aliens, soldiers chase and shoot at astronaut and aliens helping him, explosions, man locked in closet, and alien scientists wants to remove people’s brains; no sex; upper male nudity and double entendre joke about human astronaut’s male anatomy; no alcohol; no smoking; and, lying, paranoia rebuked, protagonists “borrow” cars by hot-wiring them.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The people of Planet 51 fear what they do not understand. When is caution wise, and when can fear control us?
2 Timothy 1:7 · 1 John 4:18The film includes sacrifice and repentance. What makes an apology genuine, and what does real repentance look like?
2 Corinthians 7:10 · Luke 3:8The movie presents different judgments about the 1950s and the 1960s. How should Christians think carefully about the past without excusing wrong or praising everything new?
1 Thessalonians 5:21 · Proverbs 18:17Lem helps someone who is feared by nearly everyone around him. What does loving our neighbor require when other people are suspicious?
Luke 10:25–37 · Philippians 2:3–4The Final Word
Planet 51 is a funny, energetic animated adventure with meaningful themes and mild concerns. Its craft falls short of the best recent animation, and younger children may need guidance. For older children and adults, the answer is WORTH THE TRIP.
