Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.

Saw Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 A.D., a Doctor Who tie-in film from the 60s. So, we're deep in camp land, with honking horns to signify tension, slightly off special effects (which were no doubt good for their time) and fourth-wall-breaking shrugs at the camera. It's fairly silly and lighthearted, but it has its moments. The plot follows the doctor and his gang of female assistant and granddaughter. They accidentally scoop up a British cop and (for some reason) immediately fly off to the year 2150. They there discover the daleks have completely taken earth over and its up to them and a gang of rebels to take it back.

Now, this may shock many of you who know me personally, but I've never seen any Doctor Who before ever. I'm familiar with the concept and know that the show had a more serious reboot recently, but that reboot was clearly after this film. This film relies quite heavily on our goodwill. At one point the granddaughter says that she's cut her ankle on some rubble. She says this while wearing immaculate, knee-high, white socks. The daleks speak in this weird, warbly, cartoony bray and totter around, waving their probosci and ridiculously declaring their own invincibility.

The best part of the film for me was the point during which I most entered into the fantasy. It was a moment when the ridiculous voices of the daleks come over the radio in the rebels' compound. The camera drifts across the grim faces of the rebels. They take the absurd squaking from the radio so seriously, I couldn't help but get carried along. The absurdity of the daleks became grotesque and their cheesiness seemed insulting to the conviction of the rebels. It was a good moment. If you watch this film, look out for that scene.

So this film's fairly harmless. It's cheesy but it means well. Like the worse kind of kid's film, it takes nothing seriously and ultimately goes nowhere. It's a bit entertaining (although it would be more fun as the target of mockery) and largely forgettable. Watch it alone if you're a Who-fan, with friends if you aren't.