Red Planet (US)
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Not a sound. Not a warning. Not a chance. Not alone
Certificate: PG-13
Running Time: 107 mins
Retail Price: $19.98
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie
Synopsis:
In the mid-21st century, the nations of a dying Earth look starward for a solution and set out to colonize Mars. But something no one could have expected awaits. Houston, we have big trouble.
Val Kilmer, Carrie-Anne Moss and Tom Sizemore star in this taut adventure about humankind`s first mission to the mysterious Red Planet. Also on the mission is the multifunctional robo-assistant AMEE. In one mode, she`s as loyal as a puppy. But a malfunction has locked her into a far different mode. She`s become a killing machine bent on destroying the crew. Yet that`s not the end of the expedition`s perils. Because Mars may be barren, but it`s not uninhabited.
Special Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Deleted Scenes
Cast/Director Career Highlights
Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1
Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1 French
Subtitle Tracks:
French
English
CC: English
Directed By:
Antony Hoffman
Written By:
Jonathan Lemkin
Chuck Pfarrer
Chuck Pfarrer
Starring:
Terence Stamp
Simon Baker
Tom Sizemore
Benjamin Bratt
Carrie-Anne Moss
Val Kilmer
Casting By:
Lora Kennedy
Soundtrack By:
Graeme Revell
Director of Photography:
Peter Suschitzky
Editor:
Dallas Puett
Robert K. Lambert
Costume Designer:
Kym Barrett
Production Designer:
Owen Paterson
Producer:
Jorge Saralegui
Stephen Jones
Mark Canton
Bruce Berman
Executive Producer:
Charles J.D. Schlissel
Chuck Pfarrer
Andrew Mason
Distributor:
Warner Bros
Your Opinions and Comments
Before I get carried away though, there are some failings. The set-up at the beginning is rather patronising (complete with voiceover) and the characters are fairly obvious (seriously stereotypical), and threaten to quash your interest before it gets going. But the performances remedy this and are above average for this type of movie, with the exception of Terence Stamp. (Spoiler imminent) Every word he says sounds like it`s straight from a cheesy 70`s U.S Television show (his fault, not the words). Thankfully, he dies before he can do too much damage and it`s plain sailing from then on.
I enjoyed watching this because it`s reputation was so misleadingly poor. It`s not insightful or in any way intelligent, but not ALL movies have to be. If you intend to take the film seriously, you may be disappointed as the only goal here is a few hours of good quality sci-fi diversion. Red Planet delivers on all the essential components - Intriguing plot developments (when they conquer one obstacle, another bigger one comes along), Good cast (mainly!), agreeable effects and it`s repeatedly exciting. I heard that it was just Val Kilmer up against a malfunctioning robot (AMEE), that`s grossly unfair though as Amee is just one of many elements that make up this surprisingly watchable production.
The DVD is good too and perfect in terms of picture and especially sound quality, in full 5.1 mode the atmospherics are superb. Extras are limited to to c/crew text and deleted scenes, the latter of these lasting 15 minutes and proving quite enlightening.
Basically then, I endorse Red Planet. Not because it`s fantastic (it isn`t), but because if you`re in the right mood, it`s diverting and entertaining. If sci-fi`s not your cup of tea though, this film won`t convert you.
The video transfer is good. While there are no compression signs at all, the CG is hilarious at times. Are my standards too high, or were several scenes in the movie rendered on a PC? :)
The DD 5.1 soundtrack is good. The surrounds mostly kick in when it comes to the Martian wind and the spaceship sounds.
The menus are all static and dull.
The extras include about half a dozen deleted scenes. Nothing more.
Bottom line - yet another below average sci-fi movie. You might as well wait for the sequel.