A human face to sci-fi

Author: tgarrett007 from long beach, u.s.a.
4 February 2005

I don't know why everybody rips this movie. The special effects are very realistic, down to the pink-tinted Martian sky. The plot is plausible (for science fiction), paying attention to many small details that often make these kinds of movies farcical. Most important, it's very existential; humans simply trying to survive against almost insurmountable odds. As the struggle builds, the relationships begin to gel nicely. This IS a movie about human relationships, not Star Wars style hype. I know, there are some weak spots. The opening and closing dialog, Val Kilmer whispering all the way through, some of the dialog, etc. But overall, this movie doesn't try to do too much (unlike the abysmal Mission To Mars), and that's what makes it a success.

I couldn't get enough...very original!

Author: johngreviewcentercom (johng@tommyk.com) from Connecticut
12 July 2002

I honestly loved "Red Planet." I thought that Kilmer did a great job playing the "rebellious yet skilled" character that he was so deft at in the 80's. I also felt that Moss added another good performance that was similar to her "soldier yet woman" role from "Matrix." The thought of not only oxygen but LIFE on Mars had not really been touched yet but it worked out greatly..think about it: the actors can actually do their thing without having to wear a bulky space suit the whole time...it adds a lot of fast moving action and real drama to the movie. I also love Sizemore's performances. I guess if you like the actors and are open to a new kind of sci-fi/action plot, you at least should give this movie a shot. I loved it!

A straight-forward science fiction movie

Author: Maciste_Brother from the rock
25 January 2005

I avoided most of the Mars movies when they came out in the past 4 years because the reviews were mostly bad and none of the trailers inspired me. I eventually caught MISSION TO MARS on TV and I was glad I didn't see it at the movies or even rented it. But now I rented RED PLANET last night and I have to say that I liked it a lot. It's much better than the hokey De Palma movie. There are a lot of weaknesses in it but even with all it's faults, the whole package worked.

The problems with RED PLANET: Val Kilmer is miscast. He doesn't seem interested in the story and his acting is lazy. He looks like a lost surfer dude on Mars. They should have hired another actor instead of Kilmer. Some characters were weak (Stamp and Bratt). The designs of the ship's interior were a tad cheesy. The dialogue was sometimes terrible. And the story had some major holes in it, like the idea that the ship's censors didn't detect the breathable atmosphere on Mars.

But aside from those problems, the rest is fun. It's a straight forward science fiction story. If you don't like that kind of story,you'll certainly won't like this.It reminded me of ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS or PITCH BLACK in the way it respected the sci-fi themes and elements without watering them down for the audience. Tom Sizemore and Carrie-Anne Moss are excellent in their roles. Some of the cinematography is excellent. And while the fx are uneven (sometimes spectacular, sometimes obvious), the overall look of the film is always credible. And the ending is thrilling.If you like straight forward science fiction films like me, you'll enjoy this movie.

Fairly good Sci-Fi entertainment
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Author: TxMike from Houston, Tx, USA, Earth
20 June 2002

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

"Red Planet" builds on an interesting premise - send bioengineered algae to Mars to produce oxygen so that settlers can leave the increasingly polluted Earth and preserve mankind. However, the algae starts to disappear, based on Earth measurements, so about 2050 a team is sent to Mars to find out why. They encounter the mandatory storyline problems - a sunflare triggers a burst of radiation which mainly disables the mothership so the crew has to escape prematurely, but the captain (Carrie-Ann Moss of Matrix fame) stays behind to try and salvage the ship, otherwise they are all doomed to be stranded on Mars.

The 4 men make a very rough landing, and even with the balloons deployed, the older one gets a ruptured spleen and stays behind to die. The others make it to the home base that had been built previously, only to find it destroyed and all supplies gone. About to die of oxygen starvation, Kilmer opens his mask to find they can breath. So, the rest of the film is their dealing with one difficulty after another, not the least of which is an ice storm with 115 mph winds and minus 53 degree temperature. One by one they expire, but Kilmer gets to a 50-year-old Russian module that had failed to fire, and with a jury-rigged old radio and 50-year-old modem is able to download instructions to launch the ship. He gets into orbit, Carrie-Ann retrieves him, they finally kiss!

Kinda cheesy in many places, most of the "science" is very shaky, some of the funny lines are clever, others are stupid, but as a Sci-Fi film not to be taken too seriously, it is fun entertainment, especially on DVD with a good sound system. The Dolby 5.1 surround channels are used very well, and the several blasts and explosions are very energetic. Carrie-Ann only does one nude shower scene and it is near the beginning, about 8 minutes into the film.

Red Planet is a great rainy, Saturday afternoon film

Author: m_ender from Virginia, USA
22 October 2001

Whoa there kids! Red Planet is just a movie and in my opinion a pretty good sci-fi picture. Yes, it is not 2001: A Space Odyssey or Mission to Mars (which I think was ridiculous). It is not meant to be. Maybe the characters are not fully developed but name a science fiction movie where the characters are completely developed. The movie is called "Red Planet" not "Who are the People Who are Going to Mars to Save Earth?" and we join the action "in media res" which means in the middle of things so character development is not stressed in the beginning. Good grief. People throw around scientific, cinematic, and character development flaws with the movie instead of trying to enjoy the suspense of this movie.

You are stuck on the planet Mars. No food or water. Someone on the crew is already dead and another is a little sketchy. You have a limited time to get off the planet, your friendly neighborhood military robot has decided to play "Seek and Destroy", and something mysterious is happening on the surface of Mars involving tiny, bio-luminescent aphids.So imagine all of that and you will get an idea of what the writers and director wanted to recreate for the audience. I liked this movie. I recognize there are flaws in the movie and possibly the acting but honestly I thought it was a great premise. Reminded me of the Greek myth of Jason and Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece.

I would give the movie 4 stars out of a possible 5. Before you write and tell me how inaccurate or misguided a movie-goer I am realize I have read the classic sci-fi adventures from the likes of Heinlein, Clarke, and Bradbury. They would recognize the film for what it was: a piece of escape fiction that had its moments of comedy, intelligence, and suspense.