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BobB.May 29, 2006

Tim Burton made this? or was he just making an attempt at a modern Ed Wood film?

2 of 2 users found this helpful

8

kyle20ellisMar 28, 2022

While he has been hit and miss recently, I like Tim Burton. Mars Attacks! is not his best(Edward Scissorhands), but far from his worst(Planet of the Apes)- in fact Mars Attacks! gets my vote as Burton's most underrated film. Mars Attacks! isWhile he has been hit and miss recently, I like Tim Burton. Mars Attacks! is not his best(Edward Scissorhands), but far from his worst(Planet of the Apes)- in fact Mars Attacks! gets my vote as Burton's most underrated film. Mars Attacks! is a film you love or hate really, but I like it and consider it underrated and somewhat as a guilty pleasure.

The film does have a slow start and it does take a little too long before the fun starts. What I loved about Mars Attacks! though was its smartness, fun and in some ways uniqueness. It does make the most of a bubble-gum card story, and works brilliantly as a biting satire, and is further advantaged by some excellent visuals not only in the computer-generated bug-eyed Martians but in the photography, make-up and sets, wonderfully clever sci-fi references, a smart script and a quirky score from Danny Elfman. Tim Burton's direction is also great, and the acting is all fun. While Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Pam Grier and Annette Bening are a lot of fun, the best performances come from Pierce Brosnan who is hilarious as a presidential adviser and Lisa Marie who is weird yet wonderfully creepy and seductive as the disguised alien temptress. Overall, I really enjoyed this film. It is not Burton's best, but it is better than most of the stuff he's churned out this past decade-Big Fish and Sweeney Todd are the only ones so far that had the charm and uniqueness that made me love Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Batman and Vincent so much. 8/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

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8

Toasty87Jul 12, 2020

This was made as a parody to the sci fi films from the 50s and 60s it's a all out joke in a good way.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

OlavLJan 16, 2021

This is the best movie ever. I do not care what anyone will ever say. This movie, it's just perfect entertainment. I was fully invested the entire runtime, I was never even aware of the concept of boredom throughout any scene. The actors knowThis is the best movie ever. I do not care what anyone will ever say. This movie, it's just perfect entertainment. I was fully invested the entire runtime, I was never even aware of the concept of boredom throughout any scene. The actors know what movie their in, and they love it. It will never stop pissing me off how underrated Martin Short is.The only real complaint I have is Natalie Portman's character, who is just Lydia Deets again, but I dont care. I loved this so much, it's so funny, so odd, and so pointless. I get that people were mad this followed Burton's more serious trend of movies like Ed Wood and Edward Scissorhands, but I will never care a single time, ever. In conclusion, this movie is great, fight me.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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2

DeanD.Mar 20, 2006

A total waste of time. Jokes were few and far between, and seldom funny at all. Tack those onto a threadbare, incoherent plot, and you have a recipe for disaster.

3 of 4 users found this helpful

5

NecromusFeb 7, 2013

If you're looking for a B-movie quality parody of B-movies with a bunch of well-known actors thrown into a plot-less confusion of a movie then you'll enjoy this! But if you are like me you'll just leave the theater after viewing it scratchingIf you're looking for a B-movie quality parody of B-movies with a bunch of well-known actors thrown into a plot-less confusion of a movie then you'll enjoy this! But if you are like me you'll just leave the theater after viewing it scratching your head saying "What the hell was that I just watched?"… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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3

DeeFeb 9, 2006

No real plot. The movie was all over the board. The scenes made good actors appear as amaturs.

2 of 4 users found this helpful

9

ILHMJan 31, 2013

The aliens are upon us, and they do not come in peace! After a fleet of warships are spotted on their approach to Earth, the world leaders prepare to welcome the intergalactic invaders from Mars, but are instead vaporized by their laser deathThe aliens are upon us, and they do not come in peace! After a fleet of warships are spotted on their approach to Earth, the world leaders prepare to welcome the intergalactic invaders from Mars, but are instead vaporized by their laser death rays! Who will save us when MARS ATTACKS? Tim Burton's irreverent black comedy combines the high camp of a Roger Corman production with Sam Raimi's particular brand of "splatstick" humor for an end result that is nothing short of hilarious! MARS ATTACKS features an all-star lineup that includes Glenn Close, Pierce Brosnan, Annette Benning, Michael J. Fox, and many, many more playing ridiculous caricatures of our social and political figureheads. Academy Award winners Jack Nicholson and Rod Steiger stand out in particular as the two opposing heads of government. Nicholson plays the politically-correct President of the United States who overlooks the aliens' initial attacks as being a "cultural misunderstanding," while Steiger gives us a taste of DR. STRANGELOVE as General Decker, whose hand is always on the button as he anxiously awaits the authorization to deploy his nuclear deterrents.… Expand

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5

vervainJan 3, 2019

As a big fan of Tim Burton's work, I went into this film with an open mind in spite of being aware of very mixed reviews surrounding it. That said, this film was painful to watch. It has virtually no direction and a plot as thin as 1/2-plyAs a big fan of Tim Burton's work, I went into this film with an open mind in spite of being aware of very mixed reviews surrounding it. That said, this film was painful to watch. It has virtually no direction and a plot as thin as 1/2-ply toilet paper. It's as if Burton and the team of writers completely phoned it in and relied on star power (there are a surprising amount of famous actors involved) to keep the project afloat. The kitsch appeal wore off after about 15 minutes. I can now say that I endured this movie; I will never do so again.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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4

BrianMcCriticJun 22, 2013

An all star cast leads to Tim Burton's first sub par film. This film has a who's who of talented actors and actresses, but unfortunately it has a silly script and ridiculous aliens.

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6

FilmVirtueSep 10, 2014

A very well constructed parody of 50's films. The effects are not convincing but are well created, plus the action filled story combined with comedy makes for a well rounded film experience---for what It's worth

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1

ricky1121Oct 8, 2014

Very disappointed in this movie. The destruction scene looks like a cartoon! The martians look like a cartoon! At least Independence Day managed to be very good!

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6

Rox22Apr 16, 2013

Mars Attacks tries too hard to be an intentionally bad movie. Even so, it still is charming and definitely nails the "so-bad-that-it's-good" category. Tons of cameos of stars that really shouldn't be in the movie at all.

Overall: This isMars Attacks tries too hard to be an intentionally bad movie. Even so, it still is charming and definitely nails the "so-bad-that-it's-good" category. Tons of cameos of stars that really shouldn't be in the movie at all.

Overall:
This is a bad movie, no doubt about that. But, it is also incredibly charming and worth a watch for a quick tasteless laugh.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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10

WWABTT123Sep 9, 2010

Martians are look like completely not realistic graphics but a good plot

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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5

MovieMasterEddyApr 3, 2016

A goofy cultural artifact, Tim Burton's "Mars Attacks!" is a cult sci-fi comedy miscast as an elaborate, all-star studio extravaganza. The technically brilliant picture possesses a quirky insider tone that will appeal to specializedA goofy cultural artifact, Tim Burton's "Mars Attacks!" is a cult sci-fi comedy miscast as an elaborate, all-star studio extravaganza. The technically brilliant picture possesses a quirky insider tone that will appeal to specialized student-age audiences and older sci-fi fans but will fly over, under and around the general public.

Although the intent and feel of the film, which is based on some rare Topps trading cards of the early ’60s, are very different from “Independence Day,” this pic’s belligerent aliens and massive worldwide destruction they unleash, including the demolition of Washington, D.C. landmarks, unavoidably remind of the blockbuster. Burton’s picture could even be construed as something of a satire of the summer’s monster hit, although it was clearly made with no reference to it.

After a surreal curtain-raiser involving some stampeding barbecued cows, pic gets down to business quickly, as hundreds of hubcap-like, “The Day the Earth Stood Still”-style flying saucers approach Earth, and Americans, led by president Jack Nicholson, optimistically prepare to welcome them in friendly fashion.

During the initial half-hour, as the world awaits the Martians’ landing, an assortment of characters in three distinct locations present themselves. In Kansas, there is a trailer-home family in which gun-nut son Jack Black heads off for Army duty while his misfit brother, Lukas Haas, mans the donut stand and looks after Grandma (Sylvia Sidney).

n Las Vegas, a sleazy hotel entrepreneur, also played by Nicholson, is hatching a scheme for the biggest hotel yet on the Strip while wife Annette Bening swears off booze in favor of New Age enthusiasms. At the same time, former heavyweight champ Jim Brown, reduced to working as a Pharaonic greeter at an Egyptian-themed hotel, is plotting a return to his family, consisting of no-nonsense Pam Grier and two teenage sons, in D.C.

But the main action is in the White House, where gung-ho general Rod Steiger, looking like Mussolini, and first lady Glenn Close urge the prez to nuke the visitors posthaste, while pipe-smoking scientific adviser Pierce Brosnan assures everyone of the Martians’ undoubted civility and goodwill.

When the big day of the space invaders’ landing arrives, the Martian spokesthing, with its skeletal head, bulging, rolling eyes and enormous brain emerging atop a dazzling red robe, assures the crowd of military, led by Colin Powell-like general Paul Winfield, media, leftover hippies and New Agers that they come in peace — and then abruptly leads its cohorts in frying the assembled humans with ray guns.

Despite this shock, the president invites the Martian ambassador to address a joint session of Congress, whereupon the politicos are promptly incinerated as well. Thus begins a full-scale war, with the Martians invading in force, laughing uproariously as they wipe out everyone and everything in their path and killing off a good many of the principals in the process. Ultimately, the least likely character in the piece is the one to find the aliens’ unexpected Achilles’ heel.

But the picture is lacking in the uproarious humor that might well have ensued from the material, which instead inspires occasional laughs but, much more often, bemused fascination and wonderment at the bizarre imaginations and impressive skill of the filmmakers. Pic is loaded with wit, nifty little ideas and an extraordinary sense of design, but its allure is of quite a particular nature, much closer to that of “Ed Wood” than of Burton’s earlier, and far more commercially successful, works.

For connoisseurs, then, there are many pleasures to be had; others may find the film amusing but hardly compelling. The affection Burton and his cohorts possess for the sci-fi of the Cold War era is unmistakable, and is conveyed here through a loving reinterpretation of the aesthetic of the period. Hats off to the exceptional production team, from production designer Wynn Thomas, costume designer Colleen Atwood and lenser Peter Suschitzky to the many special- and visual-effects hands, who have done a superlative job making deliberately cheesy and artificial effects look seamless and utterly convincing. Music also plays a key part in the proceedings, from Danny Elfman’s patented fun-house sounds to some mordantly used pop tunes.

The insidious little Martians are great fun to watch, especially as they cast withering glances at the naive Earthlings and take great sport in doing them in. Creatures were computer-generated, and interact with utter precision and believability with the human actors and real backgrounds.… Expand

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10

StephenS.Sep 14, 2006

I just love this movie. I'm 58 years old and have been watching sci-fi movies for over 50 of those years. This movie has all the laughs of Matinee (another terrific movie) without the slightest attempt to soften the satire or blunt the I just love this movie. I'm 58 years old and have been watching sci-fi movies for over 50 of those years. This movie has all the laughs of Matinee (another terrific movie) without the slightest attempt to soften the satire or blunt the humor with pathos. Great music, beautiful photography. It gets better with each viewing.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful

8

EssenceOfSugarJan 20, 2013

This stylistic feature of black comedy has put quite a mark on reflecting and perhaps parodying America's attitudes towards culture and materialism. The fact that the design of the UFOs and Martians were less shoddy and more of what we thinkThis stylistic feature of black comedy has put quite a mark on reflecting and perhaps parodying America's attitudes towards culture and materialism. The fact that the design of the UFOs and Martians were less shoddy and more of what we think of them means that it helps to look at these in terms of our assumptions. A great ensemble of character with their own time to shine, the comedy is affectionate as well as outrageous. It's not meant to be predictable, it's the fact that the characters should have seen this one coming.… Expand

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8

SpangleDec 14, 2016

Known for his gothic films, Tim Burton embraces his weird side in Mars Attacks! Okay, he embraces his weird side in every film he has ever made, but I mean, his really weird side. Light, stupid, and incredibly funny, Mars Attacks! is anKnown for his gothic films, Tim Burton embraces his weird side in Mars Attacks! Okay, he embraces his weird side in every film he has ever made, but I mean, his really weird side. Light, stupid, and incredibly funny, Mars Attacks! is an riotously funny science fiction comedy that is more than in on the joke and knows actions on screen are absurd. With its tongue placed firmly in its cheek, Tim Burton's film offers more laughs than it knows what to do with, while also giving a humorous look at people's reactions to the attacks. From weirdos in Vegas to a pair of kids who were clearly prepared for the attack, the President, the military, and rednecks in Kansas, Mars Attacks! offers some political insight, but more or less settles for being tongue-in-cheek science fiction film and I was more than okay with this approach.

Spoofing 1950s science fiction films, Mars Attacks! features an ensemble cast led by Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Natalie Portman, Jack Black, Pam Grier, Christina Applegate, and Ray J before his Kim Kardashian sex tape. This cast hams it up a ton in their various roles with each of them engaging in hysterical encounters with the attacking alien forces. As for standouts among this cast, Nicholson is a big highlight in a duel role as the President and, in Vegas, as real estate developer Art Land. Offering two very different performances between the serious President and the outlandish and crazy Art Land, Nicholson is both a calming presence and a great source of dry humor in the film. Natalie Portman is also hysterical here as the President's daughter. Though incredibly young, her deadpan delivery and comedic timing make every word that leaves her mouth comedic gold. Pierce Brosnan as a cocky professor, Sarah Jessica Parker as a fashion talk show host, and Martin Short as the White House press secretary, are also highlights here.

Plot-wise, Mars Attacks! is pretty typical with a lot of the film focusing on determining whether or not the aliens are hostile or not. However, once they get their answer ("spoiler": they are going to attack), all hell breaks loose. Burton steps on the gas, pours fire on it, and laughs maniacally as the film spirals into control. With entertaining deaths, great one-liners and gags along the way ("they killed Congress!"), and fun action set pieces, Mars Attacks! embraces the absurdity and has a ton of fun with it. In particular, an encounter between Martin Short and an "attractive" alien is hysterical. Additionally, the running dialogue between Pierce Brosnan's severed head and Sarah Jessica Parker's head attached to a dog's body is both absurd and even more comical when considered in the context of the situation they find themselves in during the film.

With purposely cheap-looking aliens, the film reaches great heights as a spoof with oddly comical aliens that openly mock the science fiction genre and dedication put into making realistic looking aliens. Yet, in terms of spoofing the genre, its depiction of the United States is great. Dignified, advanced, and self-assured, the generals and President are quickly bamboozled by the aliens who use their own inventions as comedic tools (the translator running gag is great). Even better, the use of nuclear weapons being quickly embraced by the aliens is tremendous, as is the full-scale invasion of Washington DC, the use of the Washington monument, and the mayhem in the White House. All are uproariously absurd and keep making you wonder, "Did that really happen?", but the answer to this question is also, unequivocally, "Yes and it was glorious." By mocking the death of a useless Congress, the ineffectiveness of the nuclear bomb, the gung-ho general, and peace-loving President and Professor, Mars Attacks! really satirizes many elements of politics and it is hard to say what side the film comes down on. At the end of the day, both the pacifists and war advocates wound up dying. If anything, Mars Attacks! seems to say, "F*** it we all die anyways."

With gloriously terrible computer animation, hilarious dialogue, purposely awful music (that Grandma deserves the Congressional Medal of Honor for listening to that stuff), and a lively cast who deliver their lines with the right amount of cheese, Mars Attacks! is a great comedy film. Spoofing B-movies and 1950s paranoia-laced science fiction horror, Mars Attacks! demands that its audience be willing to go along with it throughout. This does not mean shutting off your brain or anything stupid like that. Rather, its brand of humor is all its own and requires that the audience just accept this oddity that will unfold and tries to enjoy the ride. As a result, Mars Attacks! is wildly divisive, but I found myself to be firmly residing in the "Yay" section.… Expand

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6

actiniumAug 1, 2021

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6

Tyrant719Jun 22, 2021

This should have been the first clue to all of us that Tim Burton’s charm was not as strong as it once seemed. They have Jack Nicholson playing two characters and they literally do nothing with it. As a matter of fact, nearly all theThis should have been the first clue to all of us that Tim Burton’s charm was not as strong as it once seemed. They have Jack Nicholson playing two characters and they literally do nothing with it. As a matter of fact, nearly all the characters are completely useless. The ones that actually succeed and survive don’t really seem to care, either. The whole movie doesn’t seem to really care about itself. No matter what happens, nothing really feels important. All the characters seem to treat everything with the same confidence they would treat anything else. It’s not horrible, it just doesn’t feel like a completed story.… Expand

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2

Steven1981Mar 22, 2020

Mars Attacks is a 1996 comedy sci-fi fantasy and it has some great actors such as Jack Nicholson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Michael J. Fox.... It's about these aliens invading earth or some junk and to be honestMars Attacks is a 1996 comedy sci-fi fantasy and it has some great actors such as Jack Nicholson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Michael J. Fox.... It's about these aliens invading earth or some junk and to be honest parts are daft.. Sarah Jessica Parker's head on a dog's body and I honestly didn't find this movie entertaining or funny. If there was any good acting throughout the movie it was mainly if not all done by Jack Nicholson and many of the characters are silly and the aliens laughably bad and had no intimidating factors besides their weapons or other forms of defense and were mostly onscreen as a comedy factor but only laughable in a pathetic way. The film feels horrible and seems a cheap rip off of Independence Day which was also embarrasingly bad and the only thing Mars Attacks really attacks is the viewers intelligence with bad acting, horrible directing and sillyness that's not entertaining or if at all only barely.… Expand

0 of 6 users found this helpful06

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7

MarakaiAug 28, 2020

Tim Burton is often known for his off-beat, gothic approach to storytelling so it came as somewhat of a surprise when he delivered Mars Attacks! in 1996. It was a colourful and energetic homage to the B-movie, sci-fi’s of the 50’s and lookedTim Burton is often known for his off-beat, gothic approach to storytelling so it came as somewhat of a surprise when he delivered Mars Attacks! in 1996. It was a colourful and energetic homage to the B-movie, sci-fi’s of the 50’s and looked very much like a change of pace for him. Sadly, it wasn’t entirely well received and, if truth be told, I shared this criticism at the time. However, on a reappraisal, Mars Attacks! is actually a lot of fun and time has certainly been kind to it. Burton is in full command of his send-up of the science fiction yarns of old and, despite the silliness of the whole affair, he injects it with the requisite playfulness that the material requires. Added to which, he assembles an impressive cast who all seem up for the joke and fully aware of the ridiculousness their involved in.… Expand