Planet 51 (2009)

Newman finds the film fun and funny, with considerable charm despite lacking the polish of bigger-budget animations. He praises its broad humour and especially its neat, inspired comic touches.

The page identifies this as a review, but the critic’s verdict is inaccessible. The available text does not reveal what the critic singled out for praise or complaint.

Staunton finds it a fun, sprightly animated adventure for children. He praises its frequent laughs and its playful resemblance to 1950s America.

Bradshaw finds the animation amiable and moderately funny, but says it loses comic momentum before the end. He particularly criticizes an anachronistic hippie protester in Joe Stillman’s script.

The three-star rating indicates a measured rather than enthusiastic verdict. The review text is unavailable, so its specific praise or complaint cannot be identified.

The capsule offers a mixed verdict on the animated sci-fi comedy. It singles out the film’s imaginative premise while finding its execution less successful.

Keleman finds the film a weak, low-energy homage that never reaches the heights suggested by its animation. He criticizes its underdeveloped characters and says Chuck’s late moment of vulnerability comes too little, too late.

Honeycutt finds the film perky but derivative and not ambitious enough to entertain the whole family. He credits its swift action and slapstick gags, while criticizing its reliance on recycled science-fiction ideas and references.

McCarthy finds the film lame-brained and frustratingly unoriginal. He faults its recycled sci-fi references and lack of curiosity about the worlds and characters at its center.

The critic finds the film a disappointing, forgettable children’s movie that struggles to hold its audience. She praises its movie-fan in-jokes but faults the flimsy story and underwhelming animation.