I didn't think Red Planet would be any worse than Mission to Mars, and I was hoping for different. Turned out it was about as bad and it had similar plot points. All in all, blah.

Not one of the 10 best, but definitely an enjoyable movie. Carrie-Ann Moss (The Matrix) and Val Kilmer (Top Gun) star. This movie was defintely not the sleepy Mission to Mars, nor the corny Space Cowboys. Instead, it offered some good action, suspense, and sci-fi thriller scenes that keep you interested throughout.

The movie starts with the typical "earth is dying" routine which leads us to the crew of the MARS1 and its mission to Mars. Personally, I am kind of tired of this theme, but it is relevant to the overall storyline. The plot moves quickly to when the crew arrives at Mars and suddenly the problems start. At this point the movie diverges from the Mission to Mars plot, which was quite a bit different since it was more of a rescue mission, into a survival plot for the crew members. Carrie-Ann Moss was believable as the Commander of MARS1 and Val Kilmer was good as the "space janitor."

Although she won't get an Oscar, AMEE costars as the good-turned-evil robot that decides to take out of every bad hair day in the last 100 years on the surviving crew. Think of AMEE as the evil pet dog of ED209 ala Robocop. AMEE is part Inspector Gadget and part Terminator.

I enjoyed this movie very much and was glad to see that Mars is not so boring after all. Glad to see they left out stupid sex scenes that have nothing to do with the plot, although Carrie-Ann Moss was shown partially nude in a shower scene. Writers might be getting the picture that more viewers want a purer SCI-FI, which is far removed from some of the WWF style SCI-FI shows around today.

I'll try to keep this short, because I wouldn't want to waste your time in the manner of this awful film...

Reasons not to watch Red Planet:

1) There is no coherent plot.
2) Why in the world would you pack a robot with an EVIL PSYCHOTIC MILITARY MODE switch on your scientific craft?
3) Why do the Russian program their computers with dancing cartoon bears?
4) I have absolutely no sympathy for the characters. Watching them tumble down a hill was unintentionally hilarious. I kept hearing them say "DOH, DOH, DOH!" all the way down...

5) For every main character, there is a better film to watch that they've starred in: Kilmer -> The Doors. Moss -> The Matrix. Tom Sizemore -> Heat.

And many others. But I wouldn't watch the film just to compile more reasons yourself. Stay away. Remember, you've been warned.

Red Planet felt like a 1 ½ hour movie ‘Teaser’ I just kept waiting for it to ‘Take Off’ Instead it just kind of sat and fizzled on the launch pad.

Technically it’s very well put together with good special effects. But that should be expected in this day and age of special effects you could create using your own PC.

The acting (especially Tom Sizemore) and character development was reasonably good but what about the plot?

Well, this plot had more loopholes than a Hangman’s convention. (I won’t mention them for fear of spoiling the movie for those who haven’t seen it yet)

If the producers had concentrated more on just ONE plotline instead of trying for three or four, then I’m sure they would have had a hit on their hands.

It wasn't badly done, but it wasn't anything to write home about.

5/10 glenk@foxit.com.au (Feel free to contact me)
Unauthorized publication or distribution without the consent of Glen Kimberley is actively encouraged. (As long as you let me know) I will not track you down, kill your family, rape your dog, burn your house down or bang a supermarket trolley into your car door.

\"Red Planet\" had a few good moments, but few good moments just doesn\'t add up. Val Kilmar leads a lukewarn cast in a science fiction thriller of possible life on Mars. If there is life on Mars, would you rather watch it on the news, rather than seeing it in theatres.