Plan 9 from Outer Space

source: Plan 9 from Outer Space

Trailer—Plan 9 from Outer Space

Plan 9 from Outer Space

I watch about 10 to 30 films a month, from mainstream to independent features, and what qualifies as a great film, to me, is its ability to capture my attention every time I watch it. Granted, this movie wasn't well written, and granted, this film was poorly acted, and granted, if this were any other film with any other cast, it would probably really suck, but remove any element from the film as it stands, and it falls short of perfection. Be it by accident or be it on purpose, this piece of cinematography is pure genius. This is a film worth seeing with friends; trust me, you'll be the life of the party if you dig this film from the vaults.

Though Plan 9 From Outer Space is said to be the worse movie ever, its very enjoyable and fun to watch. Aliens invade the Earth and bring the dead back to life as zombies so they can rule the World. Zombies include an old man and his wife along with a copper. They call this operation "Plan 9". This movie is noted for its ultra cheap props which include cardboard headstones and what look like paper plates for the flying saucers. The cast includes Bela Lugosi in his final movie and he died before filing was complete and a double replaced him. Also starring Tor Johnson (The Beast of Yucca Flats, The Black Sleep, Bride of the Monster), Lyle Talbot (Jail Bait) and Vampira (real name Maila Syrjäniemi). Directed of course by Ed Wood. Plan 9 From Outer Space is compulsory viewing for all movie fans. Freat fun. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

For anyone that wants to make movies, Plan 9 is a must see. Not for it's lush style, great dialogue, fabulous production design, nor for the compelling performances given by the players. It doesn't have any of that. What it does have though, is poor production design, continuity gaps you can drive a space shuttle through, and writing that's so bad, it's amazing anyone had the nerve to show it. That is what makes it a must see. Ed Wood, Jr. was not talented, but he was determined. He did something that many extremely talented people have not done. He got it released. He wrote it, produced it and directed it. When his star, Bela Lugosi, died during filming, he still finished it. Not just this one either, he put out several films, and not one of them is any good. So for all of you aspiring Scorseses or Spielbergs, when the world gets you down, and you just don't know how you can get it done, when you feel like you've lost it, pop in "Plan 9". I bet you'll feel better.

What can I say! This is not a "1" or a "10" movie... and neither it deserves any grade in between. It's simply a guilty pleasure for me... watching the absurd sights... listening to the amazingly inept dialogue, worthy of George Lucas' "Episode II" (maybe it's a bit better ;), watching Bela Lugosi freeze for a couple of frames, then being replaced by someone else... No, it's not the worst film ever made. No, it's not the best one, either. It is the testament of someone who wanted to leave his mark, made an honest effort to deliver the goods (Ed Wood, of course), and instead delivered a strange mix that works because it makes us perfectly identified with him. As in "if I made a movie, I'd surely make one as bad / good / unintentionally funny as this one". Yep. Ed Wood is one of us. Long live "Plan 9" and his misunderstood director.

OK, I'm Deaf. There are no subtitles in this movie. Usually, I would turn it off after five minutes because there was too much talking. But this was different... it was hillarious even without dialogue. The hearing person I was watching it with told me that I could make up my own dialogue and it would be better. Now, I don't know how true that is, but any movie that I can watch without subtitles is a 10 in my book. Hillarious. :)