Earth vs. The Flying Saucers (1956)

Combining the public's fascination with UFOs with a War of the Worlds threat, this earlier version of Independence Day (1996) is a treat for sci-fi fans and Ray Harryhausen fans alike. The only aspect I wasn't too thrilled about were the alien suits - not the clunky construction or look of them, but that bullets were able to penetrate them and down the alien wearers. It was established in another scene that the suits are composed of something like 'solidified electricity' and were nearly impervious to just about anything. So, I don't understand this strange contradiction.

Otherwise, what a blast. Harryhausen manipulating these saucers, whether against some stock footage backdrop or models, was flawless. The last act, when the alien invaders seem to just decide 'OK, the hell with it, we're gonna blast Earth and all its denizens to free-floating particles and be done with it' is science fiction war, no-holds barred, free-for-all spectacular destruction as should be done. I'm sure this inspired Ed Wood partly for his magnum opus Plan 9 From Outer Space. Now, if only Ed knew how to paint the wires holding up the saucers correctly.