I really don't understand most of the praise being given to this movie. True, it is better than most of the low budget alien invasion movies of the 1950s. The special effects are pretty good in places and all other aspects of the movie manage to avoid dropping below some reasonable minimum acceptable level of craftsmanship. But it isn't particularly high praise when the best thing you can say about a movie is that it isn't too terribly awful. Nevertheless, here are 3 good reasons to view this film.
First of all, this is the film which gave us the definitive visualization of flying saucers. It was a major influence on "Mars Attacks", which includes a particularly humorous homage scene. It also has a delightful camp feeling about it while still being quite watchable.
Second, I must guiltily admit to having gotten a kick out watching the destruction of Washington, DC. The demolition of the grand monuments and neoclassical facades of the city created a much greater impression on me then the typical views of tumbling skyscrapers which you see in most other films. Maybe this is just because I'm a lifelong resident of the area, but I think it's something that anyone can enjoy.
Finally, this presents a fascinating study of 1950s sexual repression, cold war paranoia, primitive technology worship rituals, and deference to authority. In the very opening scene, we see a newlywed couple having their marriage consummated by a flying saucer circling their car. The husband is a scientist, so I guess that is supposed to explain it.
First of all, this is the film which gave us the definitive visualization of flying saucers. It was a major influence on "Mars Attacks", which includes a particularly humorous homage scene. It also has a delightful camp feeling about it while still being quite watchable.
Second, I must guiltily admit to having gotten a kick out watching the destruction of Washington, DC. The demolition of the grand monuments and neoclassical facades of the city created a much greater impression on me then the typical views of tumbling skyscrapers which you see in most other films. Maybe this is just because I'm a lifelong resident of the area, but I think it's something that anyone can enjoy.
Finally, this presents a fascinating study of 1950s sexual repression, cold war paranoia, primitive technology worship rituals, and deference to authority. In the very opening scene, we see a newlywed couple having their marriage consummated by a flying saucer circling their car. The husband is a scientist, so I guess that is supposed to explain it.