On the way in to see this movie, I chanced to notice the
digital signs indicating the current features in three
successive theaters at the multiplex I attended. They read: >Mission to Mars >Final Destination >Here on Earth I begin by pointing out this accidental alignment of titles
because the amusing irony of it was about the most entertaining part of this movie going experience.
Mission to Mars main weakness is that it tries to seem more emotionally compelling than it is. The empty characterizations, the poorly acted melodrama, the forced dialog and the stilted
dramatic situations made this abundantly clear by... oh, how long into the film? ... oh yes, they were still showing opening credits by the time I made this realization. Not an auspicious beginning.
The painful part is, some aspects of this film were actually rather intriguing. The discoveries the initial team to Mars and their subsequent rescuers make had such potential. For example, the elaborate high-tech IQ test the teams must pass to gain access to their discovery. In the end, though, it
tries to turn into a plot twist that seems vaguely reminiscent of 2001, but only vaguely.
The musical score was sappy, no doubt attempting to underscore the emotional heart tugging that wasn't happening. The special effects were average at best, with the latter sections of
computer graphic art being entirely too surreal to fit a live action movie. Some examples to watch for if you don't believe me: the alien being in the hologram, and the tacky looking
super gigantic over scaled solar system that seemed set up
to teach astronomy to grade schoolers. The movie has tiny
puns like when lone survivor Luke keeps repeatedly describing what killed his crew as a "force" (use the force, Luke - have it get you a better agent), but I can't believe they were intentional. And Jerry O'Connell just can't stop
looking like Quinn Mallory long enough to make us believe his role as anyone else. Sorry, son, you've been typecast.
But the best symbol in the movie was the Flash Gordon style rocket pendant typically worn by Woody Blake who for reasons
not adequately explored takes it off and hands it to Terri so that she will conveniently have it to give to Jim at an appropriately dramatic moment. I'm sure it was meant to be a symbol of space exploration, but it just made me think of grade B sci-fi movies from the golden years. In the end, that is the best description for Mission to Mars -- a modern day grade B sci-fi film.
digital signs indicating the current features in three
successive theaters at the multiplex I attended. They read: >Mission to Mars >Final Destination >Here on Earth I begin by pointing out this accidental alignment of titles
because the amusing irony of it was about the most entertaining part of this movie going experience.
Mission to Mars main weakness is that it tries to seem more emotionally compelling than it is. The empty characterizations, the poorly acted melodrama, the forced dialog and the stilted
dramatic situations made this abundantly clear by... oh, how long into the film? ... oh yes, they were still showing opening credits by the time I made this realization. Not an auspicious beginning.
The painful part is, some aspects of this film were actually rather intriguing. The discoveries the initial team to Mars and their subsequent rescuers make had such potential. For example, the elaborate high-tech IQ test the teams must pass to gain access to their discovery. In the end, though, it
tries to turn into a plot twist that seems vaguely reminiscent of 2001, but only vaguely.
The musical score was sappy, no doubt attempting to underscore the emotional heart tugging that wasn't happening. The special effects were average at best, with the latter sections of
computer graphic art being entirely too surreal to fit a live action movie. Some examples to watch for if you don't believe me: the alien being in the hologram, and the tacky looking
super gigantic over scaled solar system that seemed set up
to teach astronomy to grade schoolers. The movie has tiny
puns like when lone survivor Luke keeps repeatedly describing what killed his crew as a "force" (use the force, Luke - have it get you a better agent), but I can't believe they were intentional. And Jerry O'Connell just can't stop
looking like Quinn Mallory long enough to make us believe his role as anyone else. Sorry, son, you've been typecast.
But the best symbol in the movie was the Flash Gordon style rocket pendant typically worn by Woody Blake who for reasons
not adequately explored takes it off and hands it to Terri so that she will conveniently have it to give to Jim at an appropriately dramatic moment. I'm sure it was meant to be a symbol of space exploration, but it just made me think of grade B sci-fi movies from the golden years. In the end, that is the best description for Mission to Mars -- a modern day grade B sci-fi film.