Mission to Mars (2000)
Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins
Synopsis: In 2020, a group of astronauts headed by Luke Graham (Don Cheadle) set out to be the first humans on Mars. After they've landed, they investigate a strange noise near an unusual rock formation, and an unpredicted storm conjures up a living tunnel of sand that wipes out everyone except Graham.... In 2020, a group of astronauts headed by Luke Graham (Don Cheadle) set out to be the first humans on Mars. After they've landed, they investigate a strange noise near an unusual rock formation, and an unpredicted storm conjures up a living tunnel of sand that wipes out everyone except Graham. His pals back on a space station near Earth spring to his rescue despite the concern of their stodgy Russian captain (Peter Outerbridge) that in the year it will take to reach him, Graham will likely die. Nonetheless, they have to try it. Manning the spacecraft is Jim McConnell (Gary Sinise), a shaky but brilliant space cadet mourning the death of his wife (Kim Delaney); newcomer Phil (Jerry O'Connell); and married astronauts Woody (Tim Robbins) and Terri (Connie Nielsen). After various catastrophic setbacks, they make it to Mars in time to discover some shocking secrets, including the very origin of life in the universe. Highlighted by staggering special effects, this ambitious Brian De Palma film straddles the void between Kubrick's 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY and Cameron's THE ABYSS, with imaginative results. The music is by Ennio Morricone. [More]
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Starring: Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins, Don Cheadle, Jerry O'Connell, Connie Nielsen
Screenwriter: Jim Thomas, John Thomas, Graham Yost
Producer: Tom Jacobson
Composer: Ennio Morricone
DVD Info
Release:
Sep 2, 2003
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
Mission to Mars' redemptive coda opened the door for the subsequent film's continuing figurative and literal sanguinity.
Typically, while a good screenplay only requires a single author, this unimaginative, derivative dreck required at least four, even with the massive cribbing from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
There's some throwaway fancy camerawork at the beginning and a repeat of his shock-shot trick from Raising Cain, but otherwise De Palma's own ride appears to be largely on autopilot.
The too-many-cooks rule applies to this script, which borrows wantonly from sci-fi classics of the past.
If Brian DePalma's Mission to Mars were a book, it would have a yellow cover and the title '2001 for Dummies.'
It's the waste of the impressive ensemble cast on cheap, pedestrian dialogue and a tabloid-style hypothesis of Martian civilization that makes this Mission impossible to watch.
Despite a few breathtaking snapshots en route, it can't quite figure out the aesthetic itinerary -- where it's heading and why.
Bears the distinct imprint of helmer De Palma, still one of the best visualists to work in the action/adventure genre.
The film just doesn't offer anything new to the genre, so why bother making it?
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by: Donna S. 2/17/02


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