Earth vs. The Flying Saucers (1956) – Now in Glorious COLOR!
Ah, the 1950s—a time when cars had more chrome than a space station, and people thought radiation could solve any problem. Enter Earth vs. The Flying Saucers, a sci-fi classic where aliens drop by for a friendly chat, and Earth responds with a "SHOOT FIRST, SCIENCE LATER" policy. Spoiler: it doesn’t go well.
The Plot – Or How Not to Handle First Contact
Our hero, Dr. Russell Marvin (Hugh Marlowe, who permanently looks like he’s thinking about his taxes), is a scientist launching rockets into space because… well, why not? Turns out those rockets keep getting zapped by aliens, who finally show up to say, "Hey, can we talk?" Earth, being Earth, immediately opens fire instead.
Naturally, this kicks off an all-you-can-explode buffet, featuring UFOs doing property damage that would make an insurance adjuster cry. Meanwhile, Dr. Marvin—who is apparently an expert in every field of science—must figure out how to stop the alien menace before Washington, D.C. becomes an intergalactic parking lot.
The Special Effects – Now in Technicolor Destruction!
Ray Harryhausen, the wizard of wobbly wonders, delivers some of the best flying saucers in sci-fi history. These bad boys don’t just hover ominously; they spin, tilt, and crash into buildings like a drunk uncle on roller skates. And now, with the colorized version? Oh baby, those explosions pop like a Fourth of July special!
The UFOs have spooky, robotic voices, making them sound like Siri if she joined a doomsday cult. And when they rain destruction on Washington, D.C., it’s the kind of glorious cinematic chaos that makes you wonder if the aliens just had really bad GPS.
The Cast – Scientists, Soldiers, and The Obligatory One Woman
Hugh Marlowe plays Dr. Marvin with all the enthusiasm of a man explaining tax deductions, but hey, he gets the job done. His wife, Carol (Joan Taylor), mostly exists to look concerned, scream dramatically, and remind us that good posture is important—even during an alien invasion. Meanwhile, the military guys do what military guys in 1950s sci-fi do best—stand around and wait for the next explosion.
Final Verdict – Sci-Fi Cheese at Its Finest!
Is Earth vs. The Flying Saucers a masterpiece? Not exactly. But is it a blast? Absolutely! The colorized version adds a fresh, vibrant look to the classic destruction, making the alien attacks even more fun to watch. It’s got wacky science, classic UFOs, and a plot held together with duct tape and military-grade nonsense—what’s not to love?
If you want a golden-age sci-fi romp featuring flying saucers, screaming civilians, and a scientist who somehow knows everything, this is your movie. Just remember: next time aliens visit, maybe try saying "hello" before reaching for the anti-aircraft guns.
My rating: 8/10 – Now in COLOR! More explosions! More chaos! Same bad decisions!