This is a much more ambitious production than the other of the same title. Where the first was a (marvelous, I might add)parody of old serials, this uses some of that in a concept rather unlike it. This is pretty dramatic, at times. It isn't always funny, but it almost never tries too hard to be, and the gags and jokes do mostly work. The plot is well-thought out and well-told, and develops nicely throughout. The pacing is just about spot-on. I wasn't bored for any of it. The effects are excellent. And I don't mean that in the way where you add "for a student film" to excuse it, no, they're plainly put invariably amazing. From what little I know of what they were going for, I'd say they hit it(and did so without the overall short losing its seriousness). The acting varies, but none is distractingly poor. The script is great, and I was surprised more than once by what happened. The dialog couldn't really be better, every line fits. The music is perfect, a magnificent score. The tone of this entire thing is achieved impeccably well. If broken down to its basic elements, the story is relatively simple... but the execution elevates it, and it's all told well. I recommend this to fans of Sanderson and Bertocci, their styles, and of course those who enjoy 50's sci-fi pieces, be it straight or spoofed. 8/10
