Planet 51 – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Planet 51

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2009

55%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A role-reversal alien comedy that's clever in concept but clumsy in execution—fine for a rainy afternoon, forgettable by bedtime.

23%

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Planet 51

movie

PG, 2009

55%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A role-reversal alien comedy that's clever in concept but clumsy in execution—fine for a rainy afternoon, forgettable by bedtime.

23%

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Screenwise Verdict

Planet 51 had potential: a smart role-reversal premise, a retro aesthetic, and a talented voice cast. But it fumbles the execution with uneven tone, sluggish pacing, and jokes that try to please both kids and adults but satisfy neither.

The suggestive humor—penis jokes, cleavage shots, a Marilyn Monroe moment—feels weirdly out of place in what should be a straightforward family adventure. It's not offensive, just awkward, like the filmmakers couldn't decide who they were making this for.

Critics savaged it (23% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences shrugged (40%). Kids might enjoy the colorful visuals and slapstick, but they'll probably forget it by dinner. Parents will sit through it without pain, but there are dozens of better animated options on the same streaming services.

It's safe for 7+ and harmless enough for a rainy afternoon, but it's not a must-watch. If your kid picks it, fine. If not, you're not missing anything.

Age Fit

Best for kids 7–10 who can handle mild cartoon action and won't be fazed by a few awkward jokes. Older kids and teens will find it boring; adults might appreciate the retro references but won't be wowed.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The role-reversal premise (human as the alien) offers a decent message about fear of the unknown and acceptance. The friendship between Chuck and Lem models cooperation across differences. However, the film undercuts its wholesome potential with scattered suggestive humor—penis jokes about antennas, cleavage shots, a Marilyn Monroe pinup moment—that feels awkwardly wedged into what should be a straightforward kids' adventure. The tone isn't chaotic, but it's inconsistent, ping-ponging between earnest friendship beats and adult-aimed gags that won't land with the target audience.

Imaginative

The concept is clever: a 1950s American suburb populated by green aliens who fear Earth astronauts the way we once feared Martians. It's a fun inversion with nostalgic nods to Cold War paranoia and sci-fi B-movies. The world-building has some charm—retro diners, drive-ins, paranoid PSAs. But the execution is derivative and safe; it doesn't push boundaries or invite kids to think creatively beyond the surface gag. The animation is colorful but unremarkable. It's imaginative enough to hold attention but doesn't spark curiosity or invite deeper exploration.

Safe

Planet 51 is largely safe for its target age (7+). The violence is cartoon-style: laser blasts, explosions, slapstick pratfalls, a robot stepping on a bug, and jars of alien brains in a lab (played for comedy, not horror). One mild profanity ('ass'), a brief scene of a kid drinking cough syrup, and the aforementioned suggestive humor (antenna/penis joke, cleavage, shirtless alien) are the main concerns. Nothing here is traumatic or truly inappropriate, but parents should expect to field a couple of awkward questions. The opening scenes might startle younger viewers, but there's no gore, death, or genuine scares.

Enriching

Planet 51 gestures at themes of empathy, overcoming prejudice, and questioning authority, but it never digs deep enough to leave a meaningful mark. The jokes are surface-level, the character arcs are predictable, and the pacing drags—multiple reviews note that kids under 10 get restless. It's not actively harmful, but it's not enriching either. Kids won't walk away with new insights, skills, or questions. The nostalgia references (E.T., Star Wars, Alien) are aimed at parents, not children, so the entertainment value for the intended audience is middling at best.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The premise is genuinely fun: a 1950s alien suburb where humans are the scary invaders
Colorful animation and retro aesthetic offer nostalgic charm for parents
Models friendship across differences and challenges fear of the unknown
Dwayne Johnson and Justin Long bring warmth to their voice performances

⚠

What to Watch For

Suggestive humor (antenna/penis joke, alien cleavage, Marilyn Monroe pinup) that feels awkward in a kids' movie
One mild profanity ('ass') and a brief scene of a kid drinking cough syrup
Cartoon violence: laser blasts, explosions, alien brain jars—nothing scary, but younger kids might need reassurance
Pacing drags; kids under 8 may lose interest halfway through

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the aliens were so scared of Chuck? Have you ever been afraid of something new?"
"If you landed on an alien planet, what would you want to tell them about Earth?"
"The movie is set in the 1950s—what do you notice that's different from today?"

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