Battle in Outer Space (1959) Uchû daisensô
IMDb meta-data is a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes, rated 5.7 by 1,500 cinematizens
DNA: Japan.
Verdict: Shoot ‘em up! We’re good at that. [Indeed.]
Tagline: The Munchkins are coming!
No sooner did the Mysterians leave in 1957 than the Munchkins arrived in 1959, setting up a military base on our Moon! While the Mysterians said they went to Pearl Harbor in peace, these Munchkins skip the soft soap and get right to the zap. Peace is for wimps. They came to conquer.
It takes one to know one and in response the world Co-Prosperity Sphere unites behind Japan to battle the Munchkins, repeatedly for at least two-thirds of the runtime. Where would we be without the peace-loving Japanese to blow things up?
In a favourite ploy of cheapskate invaders, the Munchkins exercise mind control over a couple of key individuals to save on make up. These zombies go around looking vacant when turning off valves that would save the world. Some plumbers they are!
The budget went on models to create effects, and these are very well done. Better even than Gerry Anderson’s toys. Albeit, the moon buggies looks too much like Oscar Meyer Weinermobiles to take seriously.
The story has parallels with The Earth versus Flying Saucers of 1956 but even less character development. There are also reflections of it in the space battles of Star Wars.