Review of Interplanetary

A motley assortment of men and women live and work together on a base on Mars for the Interplanetary Corporation. Things are pretty dull and unexciting until one day the crew find themselves under attack by not only a lethal group of strangers, but also from a vicious reptilian humanoid alien beast. Writer/director Chance Shirley relates the enjoyable story at a brisk pace, pays affectionate tongue-in-cheek homage to endearingly tacky low-budget 60's era sci-fi schlock, maintains a winningly sharp sense of brash humor throughout (the opening black and white life on Mars documentary is a hysterically cornball hoot while an inspired running gag about censored profanity provides a wealth of gut-busting belly laughs), and delivers a generous sprinkling of cheesy gore as well as a smidgen of yummy gratuitous female nudity. The enthusiastic cast attack the campy material with real zest, with especially praiseworthy work by Mia Frost as spunky mechanic Beth, Kyle Holman as rugged take-charge cook Jackson, Michael Shelton as likable lunk Steve, Melissa Bush as uptight executive Lisa, Sylvestor Little Jr. as the easygoing Jones, Kevin Van Hyning as smarmy jerk Kevin, Lisa Mason as huffy company vice president Lori, and Amanda Myers as the lusty'n'luscious Michelle. The deliberately static cinematography by Steve Ashlee and Chris Hilleke makes nifty use of lovably flat and crummy master shots. Eric McGinty's spirited pulsating score hits the stirring spot. An absolute riot.