Review: Mission To Mars

By Acheron March 12, 2000 3:30 PM

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I went into this movie knowing next to nothing about the story line. I heard mixed reviews about it, so I can say that I was unbiased going in. What could have been a really good movie ended up being slightly more than mediocre. The special effects were great, but I firmly believe that no one should judge a movie solely on special effects, like so many do. The main problem with this movie was that they tried to fit in too much. Instead of there being holes left in the plot, they left out a lot of detail (I hesitate to call them "holes"). Things just happened -- they were at one place and then they were at another. I also think that there was a little bit too much of a hippie element towards the end as well (but that could just be me). Conclusion: If you have nothing better to do, consider going to see this movie. Otherwise, it will be a good rent in a few months. It is entertaining, emotional, but lacks in detail and character development.

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Mission to Mars was OK(SPOILER ENCLOSED!!!).   reply

Posted by Sasquatch (sasquatch@aodmetal.com) on March 13, 2000 11:16 AM

I didn't mind them skipping a lot of mindless travel junk. I thought they did a decent job of giving us a background without wading through hours of inconsequential film. 

I was really enjoying the movie, until the end. I thought the alien was a little cheesy. And the whole "evolution sequence" was a little weak too(mainly the part with the humans chasing the buffalo.) One of my problems with this little snippet of the plot was this...where did the accidental extinction of the dinosaurs fit into this?? If they were part of the plan, then the plan obviously deviated when they were all wiped out. 

Also, what about the whole fuel leak scenario? With all the seemingly redundant electronics, there was nothing monitoring the pressure of the fuel charging system??? Seems like a pretty big oversite. 

Now, having said that, I still enjoyed this movie. I'm not nit-picking...those things just bugged me a little, but didn't completely destroy the movie for me. 

All in all, I think that the movie was decent...but nothing to write home about. I guess from the previews I was expecting something a little more profound. 

Sasquatch