KRONOS (1957)

KRONOS (1957)

Tagline: World-Destroying Monster!

(Sci-Fi, Action, Giant Space Destroyer) [PG]

Note – This movie did not originally have an MPAA rating, but I think it would be rated PG.

Do you think you'll be able to respect a husband that probably pulled the scientific boner of all time?

In this one, Dr. Leslie Gaskell and Dr. Hubbell Eliot are part of a think tank investigating a large object that crashed into the ocean. It doesn’t take long before a giant energy-sucking machine arises and begins to devour every energy source it can find. All conventional military efforts to try and stop it are fruitless and now the scientists must find a way to overcome the seemingly unstoppable KRONOS! 

First off, I found this movie profoundly interesting. I have seen a bunch of flying saucer stuff over the years, but this one takes it a step further where the giant machine that lands is physically just stomping everything it can GODZILLA style. I mean this thing is brutal and even has destructive beams that blow up stuff seemingly just for the heck of it. It’s out of control. 

Probably the best thing about this movie is the effects. For its day the design of this thing is boxy looking but still menacing and they did a great job of making it look like it was just trouncing the countryside. The rays or beams coming out of this thing look awesome. Interestingly the budget was actually cut before production so what they ended up with is all that much more impressive. The effort all around was spectacular. The second best thing was the acting.

Acting-wise we get another great outing by Jeff Morrow who was in several epic 50s sci-fi flicks including THIS ISLAND EARTH and THE GIANT CLAW. The only other female we really hear from in the entire movie is Vera Hunter who plays Dr. Leslie Gaskell’s fiancé. She is played by Barbara Lawrence who is also outstanding. Lawrence was best known for OKLAHOMA. Actor John Emery known for ROCKETSHIP X-M plays Dr. Hubbell Eliot and has the most duplicitous role. I have to give him high marks like everyone else because he’s really convincing. 

The robot or space destroyer or whatever Kronos is supposed to be actually inspired the robot in the INCREDIBLES, but it also definitely reminds me of the giant robot in MONSTERS VS ALIENS only without a face. Off-topic a bit, but MONSTERS VS ALIENS was inspired by films like ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WOMAN and THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN. Having said that, don’t go into this movie expecting Kronos to have a personality. He or it doesn’t, it’s more like two giant boxes on top of each other with a bowl-looking object and antenna where the head would be. It’s totally awesome in the best way possible. 

Overall I found this movie effective, fun, well-paced, and engaging. I have to give this one a solid 5 out of 7, but I do kind of wish they had thrown a few mechanical eyeballs on Kronos. 

GRAPHICS ARE THE PROPERTY OF UNIVERSAL STUDIOS AND ARE USED FOR REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY. 

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