Mars Attacks!

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: December 13, 1996

6.8	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 203 Ratings

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User Reviews

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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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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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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.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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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

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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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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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

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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actiniumAug 1, 2021

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0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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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

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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drlowdonAug 22, 2021

When hundreds of Martians land on Earth, U.S. President James Dale arranges a meeting with them. The ambassador of Mars announces that they "come in peace", but when a dove is released as a symbol of said peace, the Ambassador shoots itWhen hundreds of Martians land on Earth, U.S. President James Dale arranges a meeting with them. The ambassador of Mars announces that they "come in peace", but when a dove is released as a symbol of said peace, the Ambassador shoots it before he and the other Martians massacre most of the people at the event.

Mars Attacks is an unusual movie. It's full of A-List starts, yet gives many of them very little to actually do, and the structure often makes it feel as though you're watching a series of unconnected sketches rather than the movie. Having said that. this movie does still provide a decent number of laughs and memorable moments, so if you're looking for something a bit different this is still worth checking out.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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Kai82Mar 7, 2021

A science fiction comedy and homage to classic B movies from the 1950 era. In short it has a remarkable cast with a lot of big names and is a disappointment. I could stop here but will go more into details. The idea for the movie sounds crazyA science fiction comedy and homage to classic B movies from the 1950 era. In short it has a remarkable cast with a lot of big names and is a disappointment. I could stop here but will go more into details. The idea for the movie sounds crazy because it is based on a trading card series of the same name from the sixties. I had a hard time to believe this but read that it was correct (Could also be a joke by the producers or widespread rumor). The director Tim Burton was pitched the idea for the movie and want to pay homage to classic B movies. I think he succeeds with the homage even if the movie is not entertaining enough to be remembered (For some it is rememberable but for the wrong reasons like being unremarkable, boring etc.). It has the tropes and hallmarks of B movies including the silly ones with for example the disguise that is so obvious that it can never work and mad science that lets comic books look like scientific educational books (head scene near the end). I think the set up is clear with the title being Mars Attacks. A fleet of flying saucers is on the way from Mars to Earth and humanity not knowing what to expect readies themselves for this event. So starts the story of the movie. Like I already said it is B movie inspired but does not deliver. It is neither in the realm of good movies or so bad that it is good category (=entertainingly bad). It fells somehow tasteless. This is even more a surprise with this cast of actors. We have Pierce Brosnan, Glenn Close, Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Natalie Portman, Michael J. Fox and Sarah Jessica Parker to name just a few. Even the smaller roles have prominent actors or at least familiar once. While I say there is no bad acting or even a notable missteps there is also nothing to remember. No performance is outstanding or wowing me. Then there is the humor. I say there a few good laughs in the movie but again overall it is not entertaining enough. Tit is uninspired or not worked out well enough. The special effects are great for the style they aimed to archive. It is unique and looks well even when I must admit that it is not my cup of tea. I will still praise it for this review. I must make a warning here. For some people the movie is to violent. While I first would have disagreed I see the point now. It is a bit cartonish or slapstick like violence. Comparable to the Looney Tunes or Tom & Jerry were it slips under the radar. The soundtrack is remarkable. It made the “Indian Love Call” by Slim Whitman world famous and the song is just called “Mars Attacks song” now (Just google it or use this on YouTube). The rest is also good and we have a contribution by Tom Jones too. Danny Elfman did a fine job for the score. Overall this is a weaker movie and disappointment. It is hard to pinpoint what exactly is missing. For me it is not funny enough and feels like a to do list was done. It has some memorable scenes but overall fails to get immersive.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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