Morons from Outer Space (1985) is a British science fiction comedy film directed by Mike Hodges and co-written by Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones, who were prominent figures in British comedy during the 1980s. The film is a satire that pokes fun at the conventions of science fiction, the media, and human behavior, using the premise of a group of extraterrestrial beings who are, to put it mildly, not the brightest in the galaxy. With a cast that includes Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones, Joanne Pearce, and Jimmy Nail, the film offers a blend of slapstick humor, social commentary, and absurdity.
This article provides a detailed analysis of Morons from Outer Space, including a comprehensive plot summary, exploration of the film’s characters, thematic analysis, and discussion of its reception and legacy.
Plot Summary
Morons from Outer Space revolves around four extraterrestrial beings who, through a series of mishaps, end up crash-landing on Earth. The film explores the ensuing chaos as these aliens, who are not particularly intelligent, become media sensations and inadvertently expose the absurdity of human society.
Act 1: The Arrival
The film begins by introducing us to the four aliens from the planet Blob. These aliens—Bernard (Mel Smith), Sandra (Joanne Pearce), Desmond (Jimmy Nail), and Julian (Paul Brown)—are portrayed as dim-witted and incompetent. They are traveling through space in their spaceship when an argument between Bernard and Julian leads to Bernard detaching their pod from the main spacecraft. As a result, the four aliens are sent hurtling through space, eventually crash-landing on Earth.
- The Crash Landing: The pod crash-lands in rural England, causing a significant amount of damage and attracting the attention of the local authorities. The film’s humor is immediately evident as the aliens emerge from the wreckage, confused and disoriented, yet completely unaware of the gravity of their situation. Their appearance is humanoid, which prevents immediate panic among the humans who first encounter them.
- First Contact: The local police and military quickly surround the crash site, and the aliens are taken into custody. The authorities are perplexed by the aliens’ strange behavior and inability to communicate effectively. However, once it is discovered that they speak English (albeit with a bizarre accent), they are sent to a government facility for further examination. The film begins to satirize human responses to extraterrestrial life, showing how quickly the media and public become obsessed with these “aliens.”
Act 2: Media Sensation
The middle portion of the film focuses on how the aliens become media darlings despite their obvious stupidity. The government, seeing an opportunity, presents them to the public as a groundbreaking discovery. However, it soon becomes clear that the aliens have little to offer in terms of knowledge or wisdom.
- Publicity and Fame: The aliens quickly rise to fame, becoming celebrities simply because they are from another planet. They appear on talk shows, give interviews, and become the subjects of intense media scrutiny. Bernard, who emerges as the leader of the group, starts enjoying the attention and begins to see himself as a star. The film humorously depicts how the media and public are more interested in the novelty of extraterrestrial life than in the actual value or intelligence of the beings.
- Cultural Misunderstandings: The film continues to play on the cultural and intellectual gap between the aliens and humans. The aliens’ lack of understanding of human customs and technology leads to a series of comedic misunderstandings. For example, they struggle with basic human concepts like money, food, and clothing, often leading to absurd and humorous situations.
- Government and Scientific Involvement: Meanwhile, the government and scientific community are at a loss on how to deal with the aliens. They attempt to study the aliens, but their lack of intelligence makes it difficult to glean any useful information. The scientists and politicians are portrayed as bumbling and inept, further highlighting the film’s satirical tone.
Act 3: The Fall and Resolution
As the film progresses, the aliens’ novelty begins to wear off, and the public starts to lose interest. Additionally, the aliens’ true nature as “morons” becomes increasingly apparent, leading to a series of events that ultimately culminate in their downfall.
- The Decline of Fame: The public’s fascination with the aliens begins to wane as it becomes clear that they have nothing of value to offer. Their idiotic behavior, once seen as charming and entertaining, starts to grate on the public. The media turns against them, and their celebrity status begins to fade. Bernard, who had become intoxicated with his fame, struggles to cope with the loss of attention and adoration.
- Final Showdown: The climax of the film occurs when the aliens, feeling rejected and humiliated, attempt to leave Earth. They manage to find another spaceship (thanks to a mix-up at a government facility) and try to return to their home planet. However, their incompetence leads to yet another disaster, and they crash once again—this time, landing in the middle of a major city, causing widespread chaos.
- The Aftermath: In the film’s resolution, the aliens are once again taken into custody, but this time, they are treated with less fanfare. The government decides to quietly remove them from the public eye, realizing that their presence is more of a nuisance than a scientific breakthrough. The film ends with a final satirical jab at the media and public’s short attention span, as the world quickly moves on to the next big story, forgetting about the aliens entirely.
Characters
Morons from Outer Space features a cast of characters that are integral to the film’s comedic and satirical tone. The interactions and development of these characters drive the plot and contribute to the film’s overarching themes.
- Bernard (Mel Smith): Bernard is the de facto leader of the alien group. Played by Mel Smith, Bernard is characterized by his arrogance and overconfidence, despite his obvious lack of intelligence. He quickly adapts to the idea of being a celebrity on Earth and revels in the attention. Bernard’s character serves as a vehicle for much of the film’s satire, particularly in how fame and recognition can inflate one’s ego, even if undeserved.
- Sandra (Joanne Pearce): Sandra is the only female member of the alien group and is portrayed as the most naïve and clueless of the four. Joanne Pearce’s performance emphasizes Sandra’s childlike innocence and her confusion with human customs and behavior. Sandra’s character adds a layer of absurdity to the group dynamic, often finding herself in ridiculous situations due to her lack of understanding.
- Desmond (Jimmy Nail): Desmond is the most laid-back and indifferent member of the group. Jimmy Nail plays Desmond with a deadpan delivery that contrasts with the more animated performances of the other characters. Desmond’s apathy towards the chaos around him provides a subtle commentary on the absurdity of the situation, as he remains largely unfazed by the strange events occurring around him.
- Julian (Paul Brown): Julian is the most inept and bumbling of the aliens. He is responsible for the group’s initial separation from their spaceship and is generally portrayed as a well-meaning but hopelessly incompetent character. Julian’s antics often serve as the catalyst for the film’s comedic situations, as his mistakes lead to increasingly absurd outcomes.
- Dr. Pugh (Dinsdale Landen): Dr. Pugh is a scientist who becomes involved in the study of the aliens. He represents the scientific community’s attempt to understand the extraterrestrials, but his interactions with the aliens are often marked by frustration and confusion. Dr. Pugh’s character highlights the film’s satirical take on the scientific establishment, portraying them as out of their depth when confronted with the absurdity of the aliens.
- The Media and Public: While not embodied by specific characters, the media and public play a significant role in the film’s narrative. The media’s obsession with the aliens, followed by their rapid disillusionment, is a central theme of the film. The public’s fickle nature and the way they quickly move from fascination to apathy serve as a critique of society’s short attention span and tendency to elevate trivial matters to undeserved importance.
Themes and Style
Morons from Outer Space explores several themes through its satirical lens, using humor and absurdity to comment on various aspects of society and human behavior.
Satire of Media and Celebrity Culture
One of the film’s primary themes is the satire of media and celebrity culture. The film portrays the media as a machine that is quick to sensationalize anything novel or unusual, regardless of its actual significance. The aliens’ rise to fame, despite their obvious lack of intelligence or talent, serves as a critique of how society often elevates the trivial or absurd to celebrity status. The film also highlights how quickly the media and public can turn on those they once idolized, reflecting the fickle nature of fame.
Critique of Human Society
The film also offers a broader critique of human society, particularly in how it responds to the unknown or unfamiliar. The aliens, who are clearly incompetent, are initially treated with awe and reverence simply because they are from another planet. This reflects a tendency in human behavior to attribute importance or intelligence to things we don’t understand, often without justification. The film uses the aliens’ interactions with humans to highlight the absurdity of this behavior, showing how easily people can be misled by appearances or novelty.
Absurdity and Humor
At its core, Morons from Outer Space is a comedy that revels in absurdity. The film’s humor is derived from the ridiculous situations the aliens find themselves in and their complete lack of understanding of human culture. The aliens’ stupidity is played for laughs, but it also serves as a vehicle for the film’s satirical commentary. The film’s style is marked by slapstick humor, exaggerated performances, and a playful approach to its science fiction elements, making it a lighthearted yet pointed critique of society.
Reception and Legacy
Morons from Outer Space received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its humor and satirical elements, while others found it lacking in depth or originality. Despite its initial reception, the film has since gained a cult following, particularly among fans of British comedy and science fiction.
Critical Reception
At the time of its release, Morons from Outer Space was met with a range of reactions. Some critics appreciated the film’s satirical approach and the performances of its cast, particularly Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones, who were well-known figures in British comedy. However, others criticized the film for its reliance on broad humor and its somewhat thin plot. The film’s satire was seen by some as too heavy-handed, while others felt that it successfully skewered the conventions of science fiction and media culture.
Cult Following
In the years since its release, Morons from Outer Space has developed a cult following, particularly among fans of 1980s British comedy. The film’s blend of absurdity, satire, and slapstick humor has resonated with audiences who appreciate its unique take on the science fiction genre. While it may not be as widely recognized as some other films from the era, Morons from Outer Space remains a notable entry in the canon of British sci-fi comedies, appreciated for its humor and its critique of societal norms.
Conclusion
Morons from Outer Space (1985) is a film that uses the conventions of science fiction to deliver a satirical commentary on media, celebrity culture, and human behavior. Through its absurd humor and exaggerated characters, the film highlights the often irrational and superficial nature of society’s response to the unknown or unfamiliar. While its reception at the time of release was mixed, the film has since gained a cult following for its unique blend of comedy and satire. Morons from Outer Space stands as an example of how science fiction can be used not just to entertain, but also to reflect and critique the world around us.
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