Post-war science fiction like this is oddly optimistic. In this case, it is also foolhardingly patriotical, capitalistic, and extremely cynical. It's almost as if you're watching the film version of Jules Verne's work about traveling to the moon, considering how little time is spent actually working out how to get to the moon and instead delving into how to rip a set apart in order to strip weight from a rocket. The characters are weird and feel very much at home in a story like this, whereas in reality, they would never have gotten into this situation. It's a strangely comforting movie because of its optimism, but infuriating because of everything else. The production value is fantastic given the time and the effects with stop motion astronauts whenever there is a wide shot is great. Note that some of the shots of space helmets have glass in them and some do not. I'm guessing they weren't very comfortable for the actors to wear on set.