A fun, unrealistic sci-fi Western desert 50's summer camp experience.

A lot of negativity about this film, which I totally get, due to the play-within-a-play kind of structure, which breaks the fourth wall, and seemed rather self-indulgent. I didn't care for the black and white scenes at all, which seemed contrived at best.

The color part with the actual action, however (the majority of the run time), was visually fun and interesting. I felt it was sort of like a road-runner cartoon, in that the desert setting was very artificial and bare, and there were fake looking desert formations that resembled pyramids, as well as the crater. I liked the props and sets that were very reminiscent of the 50's, including a mini juke box selector in the diner that looked authentic. Overall, the site reminded me a little of Radiator Springs in Cars.

The decidedly surreal feeling was emphasized by the color palette: a pastiche of aquas, salmon pinks, and pastel desert tones with some accent colors, like the red and white checked tablecloths among others.

The motor court reminded me of modern trailer parks, with tiny "yards" of white gravel lined with rocks and a handful of plants and bushes.

The characters were interesting and engaging -- smart students there for the annual science competition, along with their parents and, for some reason, a cowboy band. Also, the military had to get involved, placing a quarantine and confiscating the student projects (due to their very viable possibilities for Defense). The main characters had backstories and character development.

I thought the alien was the cutest version I've seen (apart from ones like Stitch). The encounter was rather amusing, with the alien looking cautious and intimidated, while the assembled scientists, students, parents, and military looked completely stunned.

Overall, most characters kept their cool in a normal way, even when they felt threatened or annoyed, so the emotional level was fairly low-key -- definitely suitable for younger children, I believe.

There was a cute fun cowboy dance written about the alien encounter by one of the kids.

There was also a fun dance by the roadrunner during the end credits.

The awards for the junior scientists were also cool, in that each contestant received a different type of award: ribbon, badge, sash, wreath, and medal. That way there was no ranked order to make some of the winners lesser than the others -- it really should be done that way more often.