Ghost Planet

Ghost Planet is an extremely ambitious and visually stunning independent Sci-Fi film. The movie follows a small group of astronauts as they travel to an unknown planet. There were several breathtaking sequences in this film that especially impressed me, such as a really thrilling flying car chase scene. The whole movie is done on a really epic scale. It is obvious that quite a lot of work went into the film to make it look as good as it did. The special effects were really well done. I thought the musical score was also very effective. The filmmakers should be proud of this movie. It is an impressive accomplishment.

This movie is obviously made with very limited resources, including dialogue, acting, CGI.

The pacing is well, and the story itself not uninteresting. The characters, hmmm, ok, they have little more depth than in a soap opera of the 80s.

The acting seems wooden sometimes, but I blame this, as always, 70% on the director. He may have a good eye for scenery and filming, but actors leading skills should improve.

And there are the Effects. I often wonder why (even cheap) productions of today can barely match "Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning" from 2005, made by a sole artist with his home PC (ok, it took him 7 years).

All in all, five stars seem sufficient for me, since the movie has many aspects of a professional production and did good enough to entertain me.

Ghost Planet is a delightful foray into the realm of small-scale science fiction, skillfully balancing heartwarming storytelling with a genuine affection for the genre. From its opening scenes, the film draws you into a unique universe, where personal stakes take center stage amidst cosmic wonders.

The narrative revolves around a ragtag group of explorers who find themselves stranded on a mysterious planet teeming with ethereal entities. As they navigate this strange world, the film dives deep into themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the quest for belonging. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each bringing their own quirks and vulnerabilities to the story, making it easy for viewers to invest in their journey.

Despite its budget constraints, Ghost Planet shines through its creativity. The visual effects, while not on par with big-budget blockbusters, are used effectively to create an immersive atmosphere. The filmmakers cleverly rely on practical effects and imaginative set design to build a believable world, showcasing their resourcefulness and passion for storytelling.

In conclusion, Ghost Planet is a testament to the magic of indie filmmaking in the sci-fi genre. It combines heartfelt storytelling with imaginative world-building, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre. Whether you're looking for an engaging adventure or simply a story that resonates emotionally, Ghost Planet is sure to leave you entertained and eager for more.

Let's start with the the special effects, these are cross between Jerry Anderson's, UFO and Babylon 5. You can really tell that it is mainly CGI green screen and very little in terms of physical sets. When they do use physical sets you can see things like the car switches and even recycle symbols and the bottom of walls. So don't expect Star wars effects but they are OK. The acting is pretty wooden, but the actors try their best and keep the story moving forward at quite a nice pace. It is watchable for the 90 minutes it lasts. I think they could have made more of the girls story line which added a nice twist.

Obviously the amount of budget they had to make this movie was pretty small but they made the best of it and I definitely think it is worth a watch.

Ghost Planet felt like a mixture between Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, Robert Rodriguez's Sin City, with a touch of George Lucas's Star Wars prequels for good measure. Writer/director, Philip Cook, did a great job of bringing a larger than life story to the screen with a modest budget. Though the visual effects were done on a budget they did a great job of bringing this new Sci-Fi world to life. At times I felt like I was watching a speeder chase in Star Wars Attack of the Clones, other times it was like watching a bar scene from Sin City, or even yet the scale and look of the world felt like that of Blade Runner. You can tell that Phillip Cook is a lover of classic Sci-Fi Films like these. And you can't help but smile at the nods to those worlds.

From a technical stand point the film looked good. The use of green screen to expand the scope of the worlds took a bit to get used to, but once you did it really helped tell the story Cook was going for. I also really loved the use of miniatures for all the vehicles on the Ghost Planet. Super fun touch that gave it a sense of retro realism!

If you are in the mood for a fun indie sci-fi adventure, give Ghost Planet a try!