Terr32

This movie is, first and foremost, a rip-off of Alien. Pretty easy to see that right off. The budget is terrible, the acting is terrible, the writing is terrible, the direction is terrible and the music is terrible. This movie is terrible. Not just a little terrible but unbelievably terrible, in the stratosphere terrible. And thats why its so fascinating. Scene after scene, I was absolutely fascinated that a movie could be so terrible and yet it seemed to top itself. Just when I thought it couldnt get any worse, it did. I was entranced by this fact. I could not stop watching it for that reason. I watched Alien on DVD recently and I couldnt help but think of Horror Planet. Alien is so amazingly competent in every way that it is insulting to have to make any comparisons between the two. My advice is to rent Horror Planet and watch it. Watch every scene. Its not a long movie and never really boring, again not for the right reasons. Then, preferably on DVD or VHS widescreen, watch Alien. You will come away feeling such gratitude to Ridley Scott, the actors and producers of Alien that its worth the trouble of watching Horror Planet. Then, never ever ever EVER watch Horror Planet again, but keep re-discovering Alien. It is one of the greatest movies ever made.

Its a given that this movie is hardly ever going to be considered a classic in the genre, but its a lot of fun to watch. The actors are ok, nothing special, but so what? The effects are fun and the story is a time travel one that very very few people that have ever lived can wrap their brains around but, again, so what? Its just a movie, not meant to be taken as any more(or less) than that. Just sit back, give your brain a breather and enjoy the show. After all, thats why movies are made.

After recently watching all three movies, it is very clear that Manhunter, although the smallest in scale and lacking the 'big name stars' of the sequels is best. Yes, it is done by the same guy who did Miami Vice, but he just so happens to be a great and stylish director, Michael Mann. I love how he incorporates images and music into one cohesive force that is SO much more effective than the full frontal images and unimaginatively graphic scenes that the movie Hannibal resorts to. What a disappointment that film is. There is not one scene where I was scared in Hannibal, although there were plenty where I was disgusted. The same can be said of the Friday the 13th movies, too. Anyways, in my humble opinion, the best performance of any of the actors in the trilogy is William Petersen, as Will Graham. I believe that firmly. Understated at times, almost claustrophobic, he unveils a powerful character by the end. Brian Cox, who plays Lector, deserves special mention, too. In the few scenes he is in, he is remarkable. Again, he goes the understated route rather than the over the top style(though still very enjoyable) of Anthony Hopkins. The film has amazing scenes, all the more powerful when seen in widescreen. I loved the finale especially. It is pure perfection. As much as I admire Silence of the Lambs, I like Manhunter just a bit better.