Les criminels de la galaxie

My sister and I just caught this on AMC, of all channels, and laughed the entire way through it. I'm still not sure on the details of the plot, couldn't keep track of the characters because of the terrible characterization that focused very heavily on one trait and drove it into the ground (angry! drunk! hysterical!, et cetera), but it was extremely laughable. Definitely one for those of you who adore low-budget, nonsensical fare. The dialogue was extremely poor (this may have been a result of translation? The audio/visuals were unsynchronized throughout): there was a lot of emphasis at the wrong time, and there were some really out-there lines which came off as hilarious instead of meaningful or dramatic. Honestly, thinking about it, Wild, Wild Planet is probably no worse than any other sci-fi films/programs of its era, but if you're like me, you watch these kinds of films for a lark.

I really like this one myself but most will find it a little slow-moving. But this cool-looking New Age Sci-Fi is filled most importantly to me with lots of retro 1950s style spaceships and 1960s style futuristic landscapes. The story is a little bit confusing but the film is a fun watch if one likes to enjoy the stuff in the background..model work, colors and such.

"You helium head!" Quotable stuff, low-budget but endlessly entertaining 60's Italian Sci Fi....was the staple of 70's UHF "Evening Movies"-played a lot on the old Channel 27(Worcester, Mass.) 7PM evening"Early Show" movie in the mid 70's. Fortunately, they have secured a sacred place in the TCM vaults. It's wonderful to have Robert Osborne do such a terrific introduction to such a film (when hours before he may have been doing the same for CASABLANCA).

When I was young, the film was actually scary as hell in some parts, and now laughable in those same areas. Has a Jetsons-type air car chase that has to be seen to be believed. Tony Russell chews the scenery no end, and despite the inherent cheapness, you can't take your eyes off it.

The "Space Station Gamma" universe must have been a trademark of Ivan Reiner, Walter Manley and Bill Finger, because in 1968, the took their "universe" to Japan and continued it with the wonderful THE GREEN SLIME. Italian studios, I got the impression were really not that inventive with rubber monsters.

An early example of Italian sci-fi, Wild,Wild Planet could have been a lot more fun had the story dealt with less abstract issues. What ultimately prevents one from enjoying this film full-on is Tony Russell in the lead who just can't elevate his primitive character saddled with lousy dialogue above the average 'good guy action hero' level. Some awful costume design and occasionally too-predictable sound design don't help things, either. Massimo Serato acquits himself well as a mad scientist, too bad his character is absent throughout the middle section the film. Very nice to see Umberto Raho in a supporting role, not to mention the rising star Franco Nero. There are lots and lots of obvious yet still amazing miniature shots some of which are integrated into the rest of the footage with commendable ingenuity. Margheriti saves the pyrotechnics display for the grand finale.

Watch Wild Wild Planet for the cinematography, sporadic and drawn-out fisticuffs and amusing futuristic designs. It's all a bit boring but worth a look for Margheriti enthusiasts.

In a future world, people are disappearing. A deranged scientist has been creating clones and using his lab to do experiments on kidnapped victims.

After watching The War of the Planets, this obviously has many of the same sets, costumes, and miniatures from filmmaker Antonio Margheriti. It's two of his four Gamma One films. I like this story a little bit more although the filmmaking is stuck in B-movie mode. At least, they made some futuristic cars although switching from the real cars to miniatures is really hilarious. There is so much crazy sci-fi ideas at work. First, there are the Mr. Smith clone mutant vampire killers. It doesn't get much weirder and sillier than the miniaturized victims and the policeman's reaction to finding them. Back to back, these are fascinating looks into a minor filmmaker who is the Roger Corman of Italy.