Common Sense Media Review
A jarring examination of racism and intolerance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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, this movie will be of more interest to science fiction and animation buffs than to the casual viewer. Mature themes and frequently disturbing imagery make Fantastic Planet 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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the filmmaker of Fantastic Planet 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?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 1, 1973
- On DVD or streaming : January 12, 1999
- Cast : Barry Bostwick , Eric Baugin , Jennifer Drake
- Studio : Anchor Bay Entertainment
- Genre : Fantasy
- Run time : 72 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : Parental Guidance Suggested
- Last updated : September 5, 2023
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