Review of Mars Attacks! (1996) by Hannah M — 26 Jan 2012

Nice planet, we'll take it...IT'S A '50s SCI-FI B-MOVIE SPOOF! Awake, Earthlings...when the big-headed, skeletal-looking Martians land on Earth in their UFOs, they welcome the humans peacefully in the Nevada desert. Yeah, they come in peace. But due to the cultural misunderstanding of the Earth and Mars civilizations, war breaks loose. And it was triggered by just a flying dove (actually a sign of peace)! Devastation follows. As they're no single-celled organisms, these mean, green alien invaders are the big-brained, big-headed variety with a flair for ray guns and planet-wide pandemonium. Even though the invasion started right here in the US, there are only 2 of 3 branches of the government still running...and that ain't bad!

'Mars Attacks!' was directed by Tim Burton (Batman, Beetlejuice) and features great acting performances from the following cast:

1.) Jack Nicholson (President James Dale/Art Land).

2.) Glenn Close (Marsha Dale).

3.) Annette Bening (Barbara Land).

4.) Pierce Brosnan (Donald Kessler).

5.) Danny DeVito (Rude Gambler).

6.) Martin Short (Jerry Ross).

7.) Sarah Jessica Parker (Nathalie Lake).

8.) Michael J. Fox (Jason Stone).

9.) Rod Steiger (General).

10.) Tom Jones (Himself).

11.) Lukas Haas (Richie Norris).

12.) Natalie Portman (Taffy Dale).

13.) Jim Brown (Byron Williams).

14.) Lisa Marie (Martian Girl).

15.) Sylvia Sidney (Grandma Norris).

16.) Jack Black (Billy Glenn Norris.

I know that amid speculation that a meteorite crashed to Earth from Mars some 15,000 years ago and contains indications of simple life forms, 'Mars Attacks' does prove that THERE IS life on Mars, and that Earth is a vulnerable target for the invading Martians. Oh wait...this movie is actually not based on true events. This is way better than the silly sci-fi B-movie stuff from the 1950s since this is a spoof poking fun at them. It's silly that only loud boring music is totally effective in killing the aliens, and that really amused me so I liked it. And it's silly that all the Martians say (in their language) is "Ack ack" and nothing else! Even in the modern age when movies devote to digital technology, I find the old-style special effects (SFX) here great though they looked like toys to me (i.e., those shiny metal flying saucers) and the great laser blasts. The acting here is good; I find it interesting that this film was Natalie Portman's first sci-fi credit even before she did 'Star Wars'. Just like in 'Independence Day', doomed citizens really do have to fight back the invaders and then return to peace. I'd watch 'Mars Attacks!' again for the comedy for the enjoyment of my viewing experience and laughter. And that ain't bad.