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Mars Attacks [1997]
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RRP: £13.99
Our Price: £2.03 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
It's enlightening to view Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! as his twisted satire of the blockbuster film Independence Day, which was released earlier the same year, although the movies were in production simultaneously. Burton's eye-popping, schlock tribute to 1950s UFO movies actually plays better on video than it did in cinemas. The idea of invading aliens ray-gunning the big-name movie stars in the cast is a cleverly subversive one, and the bulb-headed, funny-sounding animated Martians are pretty nifty, but it all seemed to be spread thin on the big screen. On video, however, the movie's kooky humour seems a bit more concentrated. The Earth actors (most of whom get zapped or kidnapped for alien science experiments) include Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rod Steiger, Michael J Fox, Lukas Haas, Jim Brown, Tom Jones and Pam Grier. --Jim Emerson
Editorial
Special Features
Wide Screen
English
Region 2
Dolby Surround 5.1 English
Dolby Surround 5.1
Interactive Menu
Production Notes
Scene Access
Arabic\Croatian\Czech\English\Greek\Hungarian\Icelandic\Polish\Turkish
Editorial
Synopsis
Director Tim Burton unleashes MARS ATTACKS!, a vicious, affectionate, brightly-colored homage to 1950s alien invasion movies. When a shiny silver flying saucer lands in the Nevada desert, a group of skull-faced Martians exit the gleaming craft. Although they claim to be peaceful, they promptly "vaporize" a gathering of unfortunate Earthlings, kicking off a bizarre high-tech war with wild special effects. This studiously campy sci-fi spoof, based on a series of Topps bubble-gum cards, gleefully parodies not only schlock B-horror movies, but also overblown blockbusters such as INDEPENDENCE DAY. This subversive film is helped along by an all-star cast including Jack Nicholson in dual roles as both a clueless U.S. President (with First Lady Glenn Close) and a Las Vegas sleazebag. The film follows the wacky WAR OF THE WORLD--like proceedings from the points of view of numerous colorful characters, from the inane U.S. Press Secretary (Martin Short) to a trailer-park family (Lukas Haas and Sylvia Sidney), singer Tom Jones (as himself).
Way
Review date: 2007-10-02 Rating: 10 out of 10
There's a reason why you rarely see this in shops, simply put, it's so good that it probably sells out every time it goes on the shelves. I saw this at the cinema and wanted to leave to bring all my friends in - it's that good. Its so funny, it's `satire' of the highest level, and definitely hits the mark, and most of the actors give awesome performances, which isnt suprising considering the cast and the great script this film has.
If you think this is good, may I recommend Independence Day? Another great flick...
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Reviews
No way
Review date: 2007-09-27 Rating: 4 out of 10
There's a reason why you rarely see this repeated on TV or even in shops, Simply put, it's crap. I saw this at the cinema and wanted to leave. Its not funny, it's `satire' if you can call it that, doesnt hit the mark, and most of the actors give lacklustre performances, which isnt suprising when they are faced with the amount of stupid props, bad effects and the appalling script this film has.
If you think this is good, may I recommend Independence Day? Knock yourself out.
Spoof on American paranoia
Review date: 2007-06-24 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is a spoof on American paranoia. Creative license is derived from 'V' with similarities with the Martians implying that "We come in peace"
Other inspirations are 'War of the Worlds' and 'Independence Day'.
Nevertheless, this is a brilliant film with immense repeat value. The Martians are well well mean and seem indestructible ;that is until they hear the voice of ......
Find out, appreciate the triple role of Nicholson, the brilliant head of Brosnan and give it 5 stars like myself
I guess it wasn't the dove
Review date: 2007-06-17 Rating: 10 out of 10
To me, this is America learning to laugh at itsself as it's time as the world's top military and ecconomic power lurches towards an end. They aren't as good at it as we are yet, but they haven't had all our experience.
What a cast! I had forgoten who was in it, and when I watched it again recently, I was stunned as the opening credits were rolling.
The aliens are so funny. Delightful evil and decadence, mixes with a mechanical awkwardness, and their voices just crack me up.
I don't think it was a big smash at the box office, but it will live as a good laugh on DVD forever.
And again!
Review date: 2007-03-31 Rating: 10 out of 10
Nothing to add but a star as MAcks didn't seem to get a 5 anywhere. Why is it so funny? (a) character design (b) tacky special fx (c) and above all, MAcks is an essay in caricature, never mind of a genre, but of a species - no, not the Little Greys, the Humans! I vaguely remember Independance Day came out roughly at the same time (in the midst of meteoric rains on Hollywood) and, really, really, MAcks was a pure breather.
Go for it, there's nothing like it in SciFi. All stars
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Pierce Brosnan
Glenn Close
Annette Bening
Danny DeVito
Jack Nicholson
Creators:
Jack Nicholson (Primary Contributor)
Glenn Close (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900144803
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 1998-05-11
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1996-12-13
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Turkish (Subtitled)
Language: Hungarian (Subtitled)
Language: Polish (Subtitled)
Language: Icelandic (Subtitled)
Language: Arabic (Subtitled)
Language: Croatian (Subtitled)
Language: Czech (Subtitled)
Language: Greek (Subtitled)