"Katie, this isn't a hayride. We're here for a serious purpose!", 1 September 2015
The Chinese have created the titular Doomsday Machine Why? I don't know. In response, the Americans change a planned mission to space by switching three male astronauts for three female astronauts. Why? To assure the continuation of the human race just in case the Chinese destroy the world. As expected, shortly after lift-off, the Earth is destroyed. Can these seven astronauts make it to Venus to start a new human civilization?
Even my poorly written plot summary makes Doomsday Machine sound far better than it really is. This turkey of a movie has got any number of problems that others have covered in great detail. I don't think I need to write much about the fact that half the movie was filmed in 1967 and the rest in 1972, other than to say that the differences are jarring. Instead, I want to focus on something else that bothered me - the mixed male/female group of scientists are about as unprofessional as you could imagine. As soon as they leave the Earth's atmosphere and climb out of their La-Z-Boys, their hormones immediately take over. I felt like I was watching an episode of Love Boat. The crew can't have been in space for more than 10 seconds when Grant Williams inexplicably takes off his shirt and comments on Ruta Lee's appearance - "You know, without your glasses, you're a very pretty doctor." I HATE lines like that in a movie! Are you so stupid you can't see the woman for the glasses? Like the rest of the movie, it's utterly ridiculous.
And then there's the ending. I guess the 1972 crew had absolutely no money. How else do you explain two people in a poorly lit spacecraft doing absolutely nothing? I'm surprised they didn't cut corners more and use a matte painting of the astronauts. What a mess!
One of the only things Doomsday Machine has going for it are some really funky, cool 60s moments. The multi-colors aboard the spaceship are a nice touch. The second thing is enough scientific mumbo-jumbo to fill a dozen movies. I don't think any character ever utters anything scientific that makes sense. It's a hoot! Third, I must admit I did enjoy a couple of the cast members regardless of what they were give to work with. Mala Powers, Henry Wilcoxon, and, incredible as it may sound, Ruta Lee give decent performances. Finally, the cat over the wall moment was a stroke of genius. I actually laughed out loud.
Even my poorly written plot summary makes Doomsday Machine sound far better than it really is. This turkey of a movie has got any number of problems that others have covered in great detail. I don't think I need to write much about the fact that half the movie was filmed in 1967 and the rest in 1972, other than to say that the differences are jarring. Instead, I want to focus on something else that bothered me - the mixed male/female group of scientists are about as unprofessional as you could imagine. As soon as they leave the Earth's atmosphere and climb out of their La-Z-Boys, their hormones immediately take over. I felt like I was watching an episode of Love Boat. The crew can't have been in space for more than 10 seconds when Grant Williams inexplicably takes off his shirt and comments on Ruta Lee's appearance - "You know, without your glasses, you're a very pretty doctor." I HATE lines like that in a movie! Are you so stupid you can't see the woman for the glasses? Like the rest of the movie, it's utterly ridiculous.
And then there's the ending. I guess the 1972 crew had absolutely no money. How else do you explain two people in a poorly lit spacecraft doing absolutely nothing? I'm surprised they didn't cut corners more and use a matte painting of the astronauts. What a mess!
One of the only things Doomsday Machine has going for it are some really funky, cool 60s moments. The multi-colors aboard the spaceship are a nice touch. The second thing is enough scientific mumbo-jumbo to fill a dozen movies. I don't think any character ever utters anything scientific that makes sense. It's a hoot! Third, I must admit I did enjoy a couple of the cast members regardless of what they were give to work with. Mala Powers, Henry Wilcoxon, and, incredible as it may sound, Ruta Lee give decent performances. Finally, the cat over the wall moment was a stroke of genius. I actually laughed out loud.
3/10
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