Monitors, The |
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 • USA • 1969 • 92m •    • Directed by: Jack Shea. • Starring: Guy Stockwell, Susan Oliver, Larry Storch, Avery Schreiber, Sherry Jackson, Shepperd Strudwick, Keenan Wynn, Ed Begley, J.J. Barry, Martin Harvey Friedberg, Sid Grossfeld, Burt Heyman, Helen Malone. • Music by: Fred Kaz.      The Earth is taken over by The Monitors, aliens who run it like hall monitors in a 1950's high school, with overtones of Big Brother. The film follows the progress of the human underground rebellion. The twist is that as the film goes on, the audience's sympathies shift to the aliens, who are basically benevolent. When the humans manage to oust them, it's back to corruption and bribery by the usual suspects.
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Review:
The basic idea isn't bad. Some aliens who call themselves the Monitors have taken over the planet. However, unlike the typical movie aliens, these guys are very benevolent. They apparently have a strong need to keep order--to be sure the humans stop war, treat each other well and behave. Naturally, some folks hate being told what to do and there is a resistance movement--and here's where the film falls apart. Although the basic idea is good, the resistance folks are comic book morons (with the likes of Larry Storch working for them). Add Avery Schreiber and you've got the nice makings for an episode of "Love Boat"--not the makings of a good sci-fi movie! It's really sad, as the ending is really good as well--when the aliens decide to leave since we just aren't worth the trouble and they aren't willing to kill to keep order.
If you bother seeing this mess of a movie, check out the odd cameos by the likes of Xavier Cugat (his is pretty cute), Peter Boyle and Alan Arkin as well as a baby carriage scene that is an obvious homage to "Potemkin". Also listen for the most annoying music you can find in a film!
Review by planktonrules from the Internet Movie Database.
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