“Mars Attacks!” is a parody of 1950s science fiction movies in which Martians invade Earth. When a fleet of flying saucers arrives on Earth, the U.S. government sends a delegation of politicians and scientists to meet the Martians. However, the Martians turn out to be hostile and begin to attack the Earth.
As the Martians unleash their deadly weapons, a group of quirky characters, including a talk show host, a casino owner, and a grandmother, must come together to save humanity from the Martian invasion.
Review:
“Mars Attacks!” is a hilarious and campy satire of the science fiction genre. The movie is filled with over-the-top special effects, cheesy dialogue, and a star-studded cast. Jack Nicholson is particularly entertaining as both the U.S. President and a Las Vegas businessman.
The movie does not take itself seriously and embraces its absurdity, making it a fun and enjoyable experience. However, some viewers may find the humor too silly and juvenile. Overall, “Mars Attacks!” is a must-watch for fans of science fiction and comedy.
Awards:
“Mars Attacks!” did not receive any major award nominations. However, the movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, but it lost to “Independence Day.”
| Directed by | Tim Burton |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Tim Burton Larry J. Franco |
| Written by | Jonathan Gems |
| Based on | Mars Attacks by Topps |
| Starring | Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Pam Grier, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger, Tom Jones, Lukas Haas, Natalie Portman, Jim Brown, Lisa Marie, Sylvia Sidney, Jack Black, |
| Music by | Danny Elfman |
| Cinematography | Peter Suschitzky |
| Edited by | Chris Lebenzon |
| Production company |
Tim Burton Productions |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date | December 13, 1996 (United States) January 29, 1997 (United Kingdom) |
| Running time | 106 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $70 million |
| Box office | $101.4 million |