Mind you, not every joke lands during the 90-minute runtime of Planet Of The Astronauts. There’s a quick Borat reference that elicits groans versus guffaws. A bit involving the name of a random Big Apple resident feels more mean-spirited than low-brow funny. Admittedly, a lot of the humor is juvenile, but it mainly works.
Souriau-Levine doesn’t solely rely on comedy to compel audiences to stay tuned. The filmmaker includes an adorable romance between Tom and Lexi. Souriau-Levine and Hobbs are together in real life, and their love for each other radiates off the screen the moment they first appear together. Plus, while there are still laughs surrounding the cure, the gravity of what it means is not lost. The ending is genuinely triumphant. It’s astonishing how this laugh-a-minute lark becomes a testament to humanity’s will to survive and our need to be around people. But, to say more would ruin the fun.
“…truly shines in the ways the director makes the most of what he has.”
The cast of Planet Of The Astronauts is good, with all the principles being quite excellent. Souriau-Levine is charming and affable, while Hobbs is delightful and energetic. Wahab plays The Universe like an excited child telling a friend this crazy story they just heard. It’s infectious and perfectly sets the tone. Massenet’s comedic timing is on point, while Emmanuel Rouy as Jacques is convincingly absurd.
The film truly shines in the ways the director makes the most of what he has. Now, back to the question that opens this review: how do you turn the backseat of a car into a spaceship? If you are Justin Souriau-Levine, you slap NASA stickers on several spots all over the roof and side. Then carefully shoot the scene, so the three astronauts and little else are on the edge of the screen. Finally, precisely edit in b-roll of knobs, wheels, levers, and pressure gauges. Viola! A spaceship for very little money. The entire film is filled with creative, ingenious touches in a similar vein.
Planet Of The Astronauts has the occasional odd edit, and not every punchline is funny (the whole foot-stomping with the stewardess is awkward). But, the cast share an easygoing chemistry and delivers pitch-perfect performances. This is especially true of Souriau-Levine and Hobbs, who bring out the best in each other and make audiences instantly root for the couple. The screenplay is mostly witty and original, while the direction maintains the wild tone and is highly inventive. The film is pure fun and pure joy.
"…how do you turn the backseat of a car into a spaceship?"
