Plan9fromOuterSpace

Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959)

Aliens are trying to get the attention of the governments of Earth, but can’t because we are stupid (which you will hear again and again during the movie). So after flying around and getting shot at by a bunch of stock footage they decide to launch their insidious Plan 9. Which means they will resurrect the dead and use them as weapons against us, because we are all afraid of dead people slowly walking out of the cemetery and I do mean slowly. Lucky for us there is a heroic army guy, a cop, and a pilot that lives across the street that will save us all from the alien threat. A bunch of stuff happens, the aliens are defeated, and a creepy guy shows up to read cue cards and tell us how lucky we are.

What is a bad movie? I ask this question because Plan 9 from Outer Space has been touted as the worst movie ever made. My definition of a bad movie is one that is impossible to get thru without nodding off at least a couple of times. You know the sort of mind numbingly stupid or boring film that most people in their right minds would never attempt sitting thru. Think Oasis of Zombies, or anything directed by Ulli Lommel. I would argue that a movie which brings any fun or entertainment, intended or not, by definition can’t be the worst movie ever made. Movies are supposed to be entertaining and if you had any fun watching the movie then it did it’s job. With this in mind let us continue with the review.

I’m a huge fan of cheesy sci-fi and horror movies from the 50s and 60s. This is the sort of thing that I grew up watching on the late night shows and made me the man I am today (for better or worse). So I’m not exactly the pickiest person when it comes to watching a movie like Plan 9, but I really don’t get the love that this movie and Ed Wood receive from fans. First of all Plan 9 is a terrible movie, with a plot full of holes and no effort at continuity at all. If the aliens are trying to get the attention of our government then why do they insist on killing witnesses to their landings? Heck why are they hiding in the cemetery? Other than the fact that Wood didn’t have the budget for more than one uniform why does the army send one officer to investigate the landings? If that weren’t enough the dialogue seems to have been written by a child. Who else would have the aliens throwing tantrums and calling people stupid? Oh and when the subject of science comes up just mute the TV, otherwise your head might just explode. I’m not even going to talk about the cast.

Let me give a few examples of the technical expertise involved in the filming of Plan 9 from Outer Space. You have police cars that change model years from scene to scene as they drive. Also fun is the stock footage that is clearly from WWII and Korea that doesn’t come close to matching each other or the footage from the movie. Speaking of not matching how about the footage shot by Wood that goes from night to day back to night? Oh and the terrible sound stage with tombstones that keep falling over or the one set that is used again and again as people run away. There is so much more, but I’m not going to waste anymore time.

So this is a bad movie made by a hack director who had no clue how to put together a film that was worth watching. But people like to watch this because of it’s flaws and how badly it is made. I can understand why that might appeal to some viewers and I’ll admit that I chuckled a few times at the ineptness of the director/writer/editor Ed Wood. But there are way better ways to spend your time than to watch Plan 9 so I can’t really recommend the movie. Plus there is no way that Plan 9 from Outer Space is the worst movie ever made, especially if you enjoy it at all!

The DVD that I reviewed is from Legend Films. It has a colorized version as well as a remastered Black and White version of the movie. If you feel the need or are a huge fan of the movie I recommend this DVD. Not only does the movie look great but there is also a hilarious commentary track with Mike Nelson of MST3K fame.

1 ½ out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer