Target Earth

[PackBacker]

"Target Earth" 1954

Directed by: Sherman A. Rose
Written by: James H. Nicholson, Wyott Ordung, William Raynor
Starring: Richard Denning, Kathleen Crowley

Tagline: Raw Panic The Screen Never Dared Reveal!

Rating: 4/10


Disclaimer- The film doesn't fit neatly into a genre. Probably more sci-fi than horror but add in our hotel killer and the fact that these 50s B-movies all sort of feel the same, I felt it deserved to be here.


Plot: A young woman awakes to find Chicago nearly deserted. After meeting up with a few other humans they find out why the city is close to empty- one killer robot from Venus. After seeking refuge in a hotel they come face to face with another peril- a psychopathic killer. Meanwhile the Army is trying to figure out how to destroy the robot.

Review: Yes the film was made in 1954 but it was just too much for me to accept as bad special effects. This one would make a great film for MST3K to play with for a little while.

The story in and of itself is okay...nothing spectacular. I think it would have helped if the robot army from Venus had consisted of more than one robot. Make that more than one robot that looked like a reject from "Lost in Space" and that it would fall over with a stiff breeze. The psycho killer in the hotel aspect is completely random and adds nothing to the film.

The acting is typical 50s B-movie. The women shriek and the men try and act tough. The army is infallible and can figure out anything within 90 minutes. Everyone looks picture perfect at all times and injuries do not bleed. Some of the dialogue is hilarious as well. Early on in the movie our protagonist grabs the heroine and says "Take it easy, I'm not going to hurt you." Then he proceeds to grab her and smack the shit out of her. Good stuff.

Despite all my quibbles it has some nostalgic charm to it. I've seen much worse prepared with a big budget, state of the art effects, and 40-50 years after this one was released. Grab a beer and some popcorn and see if you can guess what the mystery object is that can crack the one robot's faceplate!

[zombievictim]

You really need to start watching better movies Pack. I recommend Dead and Breakfast.

[PackBacker]

It's number one on my netflix list...and has been for awhile. Maybe next week...

[zombievictim]

Once you see that movie your streak of bad ones will definitely be over. I bought Dead and Breakfast the day it came out and I love it. Best Independent horror film I've seen in a while.