Planet 51 (2009)

★★★☆☆

Set on the fictional Planet 51 in 1950’s style suburbia, an American astronaut named Captain Chuck Baker lands his shuttle on the world thinking that he is the first one to discover and set foot on it. To his surprise, he realizes that there is an entire civilization living there. Now, wanted by their government, Chuck befriends a socially awkward alien and his energetic brother as they find a way to send him back home before the military decides to dissect him. I liked this movie and for a film that isn’t made my Disney/Pixar, it’s whimsical, funny and somewhat exciting. I love the mockery towards 50’s pop culture and the nods to great sci-fi flicks of the 50’s and 60’s. For a kids movie it’s pretty great but it lacks heart and warmth.