Customer Reviews

Monarch of the Moon/Destination Mars

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

First of all, I share the filmmakers' affection for this B-grade serials and they accomplish much of the 40s and 50s feel. You even have the option of watching "Monarch" in either black-and-white or "faux" color (a la the colorization processes of the late 80s). I like little authentic touches like the fact that bad guys never lose their fedoras, even in the middle of a raucous fight scene, or how the film is divided into chapters with each chapter summarizing what went on before.

Unfortunately, the film suffers from two fatal flaws: (1) There's simply no way to do on purpose what 1950's directors did by accident. You can't really laugh at the cheesy effects and stiff acting when you know they're doing it on purpose. It's like being told a joke when you know the punchline. It just doesn't work. This leads us to... (2) The film never resolves this in its own mind: Is this a parody or is it an homage? It's far too silly to be taken seriously as an homage (as, say, "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow"), yet it takes itself too seriously to be a parody (for example, those old serials NEVER killed off the comic relief, and this film kills off more than one). The result is a awkward hodgepodge of styles that distracts from the story, one that never has a consistent, fun feel. I give them points for trying, and I'd probably buy more Dark Horse films like this, but I hope they get a clearer vision in mind.

"Destination Mars" is another B-grade Martian invader flick, with human-looking, English-speaking Martians who turn dead Earth people into robots who set about destroying Earth. I don't want to give away too much about this film, except to say that it's modestly more successful in what it sets out to accomplish. I also recommend that you watch this film before "Monarch."

A very nicely done sendup of pulp serial adventure that folks used to watch decades ago, but with smart period-looking special effects, just a notch up from those older films. You can watch in B/W or "colorized" formats. The cast definitely knows how to "gee whiz and golly!" dialogue, good clean fun for viewers (note: there are cast members who die indirectly, so it's not a "nobody gets hurt" show) and I'm reminded of the same approach as "Sky Captain: The World of Tomorrow". Definitely would recommend this, and I often have it playing in my room as background, as my home office is decorated in science-fiction fashion, so old serials like Rocky Jones, Flash Gordon and Commando Cody are shown on the "Televiewing Contraption".

The other disk, "Destination Mars" is sort of a remake of a saucer invasion movie from of course Mars. It's well done also, but although this broke ground for "Monarch", I'm inclined to prefer "Monarch" over "Destination." But it's a nice add for the price.

'nuff said. Buy this and see for yourself.

Hubcap

I saw this two films on the internet and found them to be very campy and hilarious. So I sent them to our daughter in Iraq and her friends. Good service from Amazon.

What can I say? I rented this one as a new release and was greatly pleased. Way better than Sky Captain and it does it's job very well with it's own budget crunch and all. If you like Flash Gordon, Crash Corigon, Ace Drummond, Buck Rogars, Phantom Empire or any of the other classics this film will satisfy. It does it's job well and I laughed. Reminds me of somthing I would make. lol

Signed,
William A. McDonald

I laughed the whole way though! I think either your going to really love this movies or hate it. Ya get it or ya don't I guess. There's all kinds of things that make this a multilayered laugh. There's simple things like Sally dictating one key stroke every couple of seconds to her bouncing all the way around the chair to get to the phone, to the Boy Scout having a square for the pilot, to the Dragonfly doing fan tricks to zip off ... funny stuff!! Then there are things that pokes fun at the whole genre of propaganda and by the number plots that were pumped around during the time period and still gets pumped around today. The move has a great way of using a mirror that lets us look at the past and the present with laughs throughout the whole journey. The campy effects are great, the plot is great, and the actors are great, the costumes and sets are great. Its just great. I recommend this movie and I think it will become a cult classic in time.

Saw this on Netflix and HAD to buy a copy. The DVD offers color and B&W. The B&W version has the most "authentic feel." Listen carefully for throw-away gag lines throughout. Much better and less self-conscious than other parodies. Also "G" rated so the whole family can enjoy it. Just flat-out funny.

It is more witty than many parodies that have been tried, the acting, casting and writing work well and it does have rocket ships, the moon and enjoyably bad "future" gadgets.

If you sometime enjoy "silly" (Monty Python, Laugh-In), as I do, this might fit your bill for Popcorn night. Surprised me....

Best,

Joe

I was expecting something clever and entertaining based on feedback from a friend. Instead I was subjected to a cheap, not funny, movie. I wasted my money and time.

This was an attempt to take a humorous approach to good old fashion sci fi serials that were shown at the movies many years ago. Unfortunately it was too overstated and lost some of its humour due to a lack of subtlety.Monarch of the MoonThere are plenty of other similar movies that work better.

This serial spoof is a hoot from beginning to end. If you are a fan of the old Saturday Matinée serials, you will most likely enjoy this, as I did. I rented this from Blockbuster,and ended up buying it. All the clichés are intact, and the actors play their (ridiculous) characters with extreme earnestness. The cinematography includes scratches and fading at times, to give the impression of age. This must have been an interesting experience in movie theaters, as each episode ends with "continued next week", and the following episode recaps what you just saw. There are plenty of laughs, but perhaps you need to be a serial fan to "get" all of the references.