Sunday, July 1, 2012

The Cat From Outer Space

Norman Tokar – 1978 – USA 
 
This is definitely one of those movies that you may conceivably still enjoy if you loved it as a kid, but adults seeing it for the first time will probably find it pretty lousy.  The late 70s were the lowest low-point for the Disney studio, although there are a handful of good films from the period.  Helmed by hapless Disney journeyman Norman Tokar, The Cat From Outer Space is one of many, however, that really showcase the worst the company was capable of stamping its name to.  It’s appallingly corny, cheap and lazy – and not in an endearing way – and the wholesome cutesiness of bland, white-bread “stars” Ken Berry and Sandy Duncan is utterly intolerable.  Even the only worthwhile face among the galaxy of character actors, Roddy McDowell, is totally wasted.  The titular cat is an extraterrestrial who for some reason flies a humanoid-sized spaceship, and talks in a human voice without moving its mouth or even looking at anyone in particular, and most importantly, owns a nifty collar that allows people to fly around with the help of unconcealed stunt wires.  The basic premise has plenty of potential, which makes it sad that the result is so relentlessly unfunny and uninteresting. 

No comments:

Post a Comment