 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Fantastic Planet
- Review Date: September 11, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Fantasy
- 1973
Common Sense Media says
A jarring examination of racism and intolerance.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that mature themes (racial and cultural intolerance) are the central issues of this film. Frequently disturbing imagery and an odd sexual scenes make this one appropriate only for older kids. Kids will see alien creatures eat each other and human-like creatures get stomped on by much larger aliens and killed by alien contraptions. A humanoid casually kills an animal with a knife. Some scenes show large groups of people killed en masse. At one point, the planet's dominant race of Traggs adopts a policy of genocide against the subservient race of human-like Oms. Characters appear in various degrees of nudity. In the film's strangest moment, we see how the Tragg race mates. Their mental forms (depicted as bubbles with a Tragg inside) attach themselves to the necks of headless nude statues, which then proceed to dance with one another!
What's the story?
In FANTASTIC PLANET, the faraway planet of Ygam is dominated by a blue-skinned race of giants call Traggs, intellectual beings who spend most of their time in meditation. Living under the thumb of the Traggs is the race of Oms, human-like creatures who live either as domesticated pets of the Traggs, or as savage groups in the wild. The status quo of the planet becomes threatened when a rebellious Om named Terr escapes from his masters and steals one of their learning headsets. Hooking up with a group of savage Oms, he quickly takes over the tribe and begins to educate them with the knowledge of the Traggs. They are then able to fight back when the Tragg's attempt to exterminate all wild Oms. As hostilities increase, the future of both races is threatened. Will they destroy each other or learn to live in peace?
Is it any good?
Far stronger visually than narratively, Fantastic Planet will be of more interest to science fiction and animation buffs than to the casual viewer. Mature themes and frequently disturbing imagery make this one appropriate only for older viewers. Its look is like animated storybook illustration, with backgrounds and characters that have a startling three-dimensional look. And the story deals with such weighty issues as racism, genocide, and sexual reproduction.
In keeping with the serious themes, much of the imagery has an unsettling impact, particularly scenes in which the giant blue-skinned Traggs (whose faces subtly resemble human skulls) embark on a zero-tolerance policy and attempt to wipe out the humanoid Oms. The movie's focus on ideas and images, rather than on characterization, gives the story a cold, emotionless feel. We follow the main character Terr, but we never really get to know him, just that he wants to end the tyranny of the Traggs. Still, Fantastic Planet makes for some interesting viewing.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about why the filmmaker chose to animate such a weighty film when people tend to associate cartoons with children's shows and humor. Can you think of other comics are cartoons that are for more mature audiences?
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Adult
June 27, 2011
AGE
I wish more people knew about this film
This is a wonderful film. The strange, dream-like animation is great to watch, and the story is intriguing and thought-provoking. But I don't think that this film addresses racism. Rather I believe it is an examination of the ways in which we treat animals. The Draags see the Oms as a species fit only for being kept as pets or exterminated, which is what we do with many animals, especially those much smaller than us, as the Oms are to the Draags. One scene in the beginning shows a young Draag tormenting a terror-stricken Om in much the same manner as a child will treat a small insect. It was such a familiar thing to see that it brought the theme of the movie into sharp focus for me. Something to keep in mind is that the sexual aspects of the film are presented in such a surreal, unearthly manner that they seem almost scientific, like a nature documentary or something of the sort. I reccommend watching this film in its original language, as the English version makes the movie seem even more detached from reality.
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Kid, 9 years old
September 13, 2011
AGE
PG-V-S
I give it PG V-S
What other families should know:
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| Topics: | space and aliens |
| Studio: | Anchor Bay Entertainment |
| Cast: | Barry Bostwick, Eric Baugin, Jennifer Drake |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Run time: | 72 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 1, 1973 |
| DVD release date: | January 12, 1999 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | Parental Guidance Suggested |
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