Mars Attacks! Reviews

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! 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

Back in those days, I saw this movie in the theaters and I really had a blast. Indeed, following his biopic about Ed Wood, Tim Burton wanted to make his own cheesy SF feature influenced by the 50's. Obviously, since he was influenced by Ed Wood, you shouldn't take this movie too seriously. Indeed, I'm always amazed when I see the low ratings concerning this movie here and on IMDB and, apparently, it is considered as one of Burton's weakest outings (only behind 'Planet of the Apes'). I don't know, personally, I thought it was pretty awesome. Indeed, there was a huge cast (Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger, Tom Jones, Lukas Haas, Natalie Portman, Pam Grier, Lisa Marie) and they all delivered some really funny performances. Above all, I thought the martians were just hilarious (F*ck E.T.!). Like I said before, I saw it back then when it came out in the theater and I was about 16-17 years old so maybe I'd lower my rating nowadays but I still have fond memories of this one. Still, in my opinion, in this age of the mega-blockbusters where the Earth is blown up ten times over, you have this movie which stands on its own and gives you a more satirical view on the whole concept and it was highly appreciated, at least, in my case. To conclude, I really liked this movie a lot and I think it is worth a look, especially if you are interested in Tim Burton's work.

I've always liked Sci Fi films involving Aliens etc., and speaking of things I've always liked, I can easily say I'm a fan of Tim Burton, easily. I usually enjoy the works of Tim Burton, though of course there has been a few disappointments from him, including this, Alice in Wonderland, Dark Shadows and without a shadow of a doubt his worst so far (and hopefully his last) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I even, and I'm pretty sure I am in the minority here, I think that Burton did the best Batman films, honesty, Nolan was trying to make Batman much more than it actually was; trying to extend it, which then makes it quite pretentious in some ways. Though Burton said himself he "never reads comic books" yet made the best Batman films. It truly shows you can be quite ignorant in things yet produce what it's all about, like Tim Burton proved.

Now, what I first noticed about Mars Attacks was the huge amount of big names in the cast including Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger, Tom Jones, Natalie Portman, Sylvia Sidney, Jack Black, Christina Applegate etc. and I mean, chuck in some Aliens and I guess you've got a film most people will see. I'm not going to say it was awful, dreadful or ghastly etc. because I have learnt not to misuse those words, and only use them when it is 100% the truth. But I can't say I was at all impressed by this film, and sadly another failure from Burton. Big names, but not so big on the entertainment side, especially on the originality; Aliens invade and destroy half of America... nothing we haven't seen before, right?!...Seriously though, will the aliens ever invade some place else for once?!! what about China, The United Kingdom or even Australia??!! why must it always be America. And dump in a idiotic American president along with it, totally lacking any new thoughts and originality. And I always thought that was one of Burton's positives, not in this case it seems though. Defiantly not showing the best of his abilities.

Overall, a highly disappointing film, that lacked originality, constructive thoughts and ideas. Big names, but not-so-big anything else. Also a very slow start to the film, in which that should hardly ever be the case when it comes to a Sci- Fi film, unless you're going to make up for it, which sadly Tim Burton didn't do. This wannabe Sci-Fi film is clear proof that John Carpenter will indeed remain for ever The King of Sci-Fi films. I think Burton should stick to his intriguing 'weird' films that had a extremely high chance of us all enjoying. I can let him off here as, after all, he did bring us Edward Scissor hands, Bettle Juice, Batman and much more. Though I do admit, it was great that Congress got blown-up, yes, I'll admit that. And SJP head on a dogs body, those small parts were great.

I LOVE it! Tim Burton is a genious! Another great movie from him! Its hella funny, and a bit stupid. But thats what made it great.

Funn-eh movie about 'aliens' from mars invading earth. And what they use to stop them is hillarious just said. So many great actors and actresses in this movie, i was amazed in the opening credits of the amount of names i recognised. Some just to mention: Jack Nicholson, Peirce Brosnan, Michael J Fox, Natalie Portman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Danny DeVito, Jack Black, Tom Jones .... MANY more

I Definetly recommend this one, especially if you like Tim Burton, kinda the same feel as beetle juice, so if you like that you have to see this one! TIM BURTON ROCKS!