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LowComDom Performances Presents
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LowComDom Performances Presents
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Film Review - Mars Attacks!
As one of us said, "This IS the movie that Ed Wood would have made."
With an all-star cast, and topnotch special effects, this film is a well-made tribute to the old '50s sci-fi thrillers. And like those old films, leave your brain at home.
This is camp at its best. We have a president (Jack Nicholson) who looks like the cheapest, trashiest scum in Las Vegas, a First Lady (Glenn Close) who makes Tammy Faye look like Princess Di, and aliens who love to run around in their underwear. Annette Bening's character is a great parody of Shirley MacLaine, crystals and all. Jim Brown is quite stunning in his King Tut attire, too. Model Lisa Marie is the only alien played by an actor; of course, she's got the proportions of Barbie (and the brains, too). All the other aliens (and there are a lot) are CGI (that's "computer generated image" for you non-geeks out there).
And if you do happen to bring your brain by accident, you'll enjoy the political satire running throughout the film. There's the general who bears a striking resemblance to Gen. Colin Powell, wimpy politicians afraid to defend the home turf if it means starting a war, and ambassadors who say one thing but mean another.
If you love special effects, you must see this movie on a large screen with the sound turned all the way up. Because it is an ensemble cast, don't blink when your favorite star comes on the screen. Don't look for plot in this film, just enjoy the ride.
Film Facts
Directed by Tim Burton
Released in 1996
MPAA Rating: R
Reviewed by Smiley
