RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space

In the world of cult cinema, few films have gained a reputation as notorious as Ed Wood's 1959 science fiction-horror classic, Plan 9 from Outer Space. A film so infamous for its production values, plot holes, and overall ineptitude that it has earned the nickname "the worst movie ever made." On this particular evening, the stars of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) have brought their signature brand of humor and ridicule to the historic Belcourt Theater in Nashville, Tennessee, to dissect and lampoon this cinematic abomination in the format of RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space. As the evening commences, the Belcourt Theater is packed with fans eager to witness the MST3K crew's comedic take on Plan 9. Host Veronica Belmont takes center stage to introduce the evening's proceedings, welcoming the audience and teasing them with promises of laughter, music, and mockery. Taking a cue from the iconic riffing style of MST3K, the stage is set for an evening of irreverent fun, with geek troubadour Jonathan Coulton contributing his unique brand of musical humor to the proceedings. The film that is about to be dissected is a doozy. Plan 9 from Outer Space tells the tale of an alien invasion on Earth, led by a group of extraterrestrial beings from the planet Graucon, who seek to resurrect the dead and use their army of zombies to conquer the world. The movie follows the story of our protagonist, Colonel Edwards, a top-secret agent tasked with uncovering the truth behind the alien invasion. Along the way, Edwards teams up with his trusty sidekick, Dr. Tom Edwards, whose motivations remain unclear, and together they embark on a series of misadventures that only serve to deepen the absurdity of the film. One of the defining features of Plan 9 from Outer Space is its laughable production values. The movie boasts some of the cheesiest special effects in cinema history, including scenes featuring stop-motion animation of flying saucers and aliens, as well as a memorable appearance by an extraterrestrial who is essentially a rubber mask with a glowing red light attached to it. The film's use of stock footage is also rampant, with scenes lifted wholesale from other movies and TV shows, often with no apparent regard for continuity or coherence. Despite (or perhaps because of) its numerous flaws, Plan 9 from Outer Space has gained a cult following over the years, with fans hailing its eccentricities as a unique form of cinematic kitsch. However, for the MST3K crew, this is not enough; they aim to take the movie to new heights of ridicule and absurdity. With their trademark wit and sarcasm, they expertly point out the film's many shortcomings, ridiculing everything from its terrible acting to its laughable dialogue. Throughout the evening, the MST3K crew is in fine form, riffing on every aspect of Plan 9 from Outer Space with their usual aplomb. From their snarky remarks about the movie's production values to their hilarious send-ups of its cheesy acting and ridiculous plot twists, the crew leaves no stone unturned in their quest to eviscerate this cinematic monstrosity. As the evening wears on, Jonathan Coulton takes the stage, bringing his unique musical talents to bear on the proceedings. With his guitar and a mischievous grin, Coulton proceeds to parody the film's most memorable themes with a series of comedic songs, each one more side-splitting than the last. From the opening notes of "Plan 9 Blues" to the riotous send-up of the movie's infamous flying saucer scene, Coulton's musical riffs prove an inspired addition to the evening's festivities. As the night draws to a close, the MST3K crew says their goodbyes, departing the Belcourt Theater with their dignity (what little they had) still intact. Plan 9 from Outer Space may be a terrible film, but with the MST3K crew and RiffTrax Live, it has found a whole new lease on life – as a gleefully absurd, hilarious, and sidesplitting celebration of bad movies and the joy of ridiculing them. As the curtain falls on this unforgettable evening, fans of the MST3K crew and RiffTrax Live leave the theater with a newfound appreciation for the art of cinematic mockery and a healthy dose of laughter to boot.