Sci-Fi, Vol. 4: Cosmos - War of the Planets/War of the Robots/Unknown World/The Phantom Planet

Customer Reviews:

Stonehenge, A Red Light, And A Cardboard Robot.......2006-07-25

While "Unknown World" and "The Phantom Planet" are just plain silly, the real standout for cinematic cheese lovers in this set is the occasionally baffling, yet utterly wretched "Cosmos: War Of The Planets." I have seen my share (OK, more than my share) of sub par sci-fi movies, but even by my standards this one is too much to take.

"Cosmos: War Of The Planets" concerns some humans with extremely bad, 1970s hair (when it isn't concealed under a ridiculous red hat that looks like a cross between a medieval jousting helmet and a horn of plenty) who find a civilization that is sending them bad electronic music from beyond the cosmos. They are under the direction of "Whiz" an electronic brain that calculates everything and is allegedly infallible (it is also less realistic than the computer from "Star Trek.")

Of course the crew, led by the rebellious, yet dashing (idiot) Captain lands on this strange planet where they find new life forms, namely guys dressed like Bat Boy in blackface. Oh, and did I mention that they also find a Stonehenge monument with a telekinetic capability as well? (Because that totally makes sense, because...now, wait...oh, never mind.) They also find a terrifying robot that looks like nothing more than a talking jukebox that plays Bach's "Toccata in D-minor" repeatedly on a Moog synthesizer, which is defeated in the stupidest manner imaginable (think Michael Palin in "Scott of the Antarctic" here.) The destruction of the robot brings about endless scenes of volcanic lava eruptions from some very large archive of stock footage. (It doesn't make any more sense when you watch it, either.)

The crew finally takes off from the planet, only to find the movie gratuitously extended by a subplot about saboteurs under the deceased (?) robot's control. Eventually Bat Boy and a traitorous guy in a puffy moon tunic and white cowboy boots get sucked out of an airlock, which leads to the most terribly, "I wish I were terribly clever, but I'm not" ending in the history of cinema.

This whole mess wants to be "2001" but in reality is more like something cut out of a Buck Rogers serial for being too stupid. It tries to make a statement about the complexities of "man versus machine" but the only thing it gets right is the subplot about the grubby, inaccurate, sensationalist press corps. For its unflaggingly accurate and unflattering portrayal of the media, this movie brings the whole set up to the three star level.

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War Classics, Vol. 3 - 4
Starring: War Classics
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001IN0KS
Release Date: 2004-02-24

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War Classics, Vol. 4
Starring: War Classics
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001IMLCG
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Beast Wars - Classic Episodes 4 Pack (Vol. 1,2,3 and 4)

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Beast Wars - Classic Episodes 4 Pack (Vol. 1,2,3 and 4)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Region 1 DVD - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Directors: Ian Pearson, Andrew Doucette, Steve Ball and Ezekiel Norton. Includes: Where The Beasties Begin, The Saga Continues, The Battle Rages On and Predacons Advance.

Beast Wars - Classic Episodes Vol.4 (Region 1 DVD)

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Beast Wars - Classic Episodes Vol.4 (Region 1 DVD)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Beast Wars - Classic Episodes Vol. 3 (Region 1 DVD)

ASIN: B000C9OXE8

Product Description

(Region 1 DVD)

War Classics, Vol. 4: Crusade in the Pacific

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War Classics, Vol. 4: Crusade in the Pacific
Starring: War Classics
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000E0ODN6
Release Date: 2006-02-28

The Second World War, Vol. 4: Their Finest Hour/Against All Odds

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The Second World War, Vol. 4: Their Finest Hour/Against All Odds
Starring: Second World War
Manufacturer: Classic Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0006SSSKK
Release Date: 2005-04-12

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