Mars Attacks! is a 1996 black comedy science fiction film directed by Tim Burton, featuring a massive cast of A-list celebrities including Jack Nicholson as the President of the United States. The film is based on the science fiction-themed trading card series from the 1960s, Mars Attacks, created by Topps and featuring artwork by Wally Wood.
The film has an ensemble cast consisting of Jack Nicholson (in a dual role), Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Pam Grier, Rod Steiger, Tom Jones, Lukas Haas, Natalie Portman, Jim Brown, Lisa Marie, and Sylvia Sidney in her final film role.
Review by Ben Dover: Mars Attacks!: Tim Burton’s Schlocky, Campy Assault on Good Taste
When you have a director known for his macabre, offbeat sensibilities take on an apocalyptic alien invasion premise, the results are bound to be…interesting. And by “interesting,” I mean a dizzying, nonsensical assault on the senses that somehow became a cult classic. Welcome to the world of Mars Attacks!, Tim Burton’s unapologetically schlocky and deliriously campy foray into sci-fi satire.
From the opening moments, it’s clear this will be no ordinary alien invasion flick. Cackling Martian invaders with massive craniums and comically high-pitched voices descend upon Earth, engaging in wanton destruction and obliterating everything in their path with nary a shred of logic or restraint. It’s as if Burton distilled every cheap 1950s B-movie trope imaginable and cranked it up to an 11 on the camp meter.
The all-star cast, including the likes of Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, and Annette Bening, seems to operate under the impression that subtlety is a four-letter word. Every line is delivered with a heavy wink and nudge, as if the actors are in on the joke that this entire endeavor is utterly ridiculous. It’s a constant barrage of overacting and scenery chewing that would make even the most ham-handed thespian blush.
And the visuals! My god, the visuals. Burton’s signature warped, gothic sensibilities clash mightily with the cringe-inducing silliness of the Martian invaders, resulting in a tone that swings wildly between unsettling and downright ludicrous. Severed human limbs, exploding heads, and mass destruction all set to a groovy, campy score. It’s enough to make one’s head spin.
The most baffling aspect, however, is how Mars Attacks! managed to cultivate a devoted cult following over the years. In an era where most films of this ilk would be quickly forgotten, this brain-melting sci-fi satire has endured, with fans reveling in its sheer audacity and refusal to take itself seriously. Perhaps therein lies its genius – it’s an unapologetic middle finger to conventional filmmaking that dares the audience to come along for the ride.
But for the rest of us with a modicum of good taste, Mars Attacks! remains a garish, over-the-top disaster – a chaotic cinematic car crash that just can’t be looked away from, even as we question the sanity of those who find it entertaining. It’s a testament to the power of unbridled weirdness, for better or worse.
Critics Consensus
Tim Burton’s alien invasion spoof faithfully recreates the wooden characters and schlocky story of cheesy ’50s sci-fi and Ed Wood movies — perhaps a little too faithfully for audiences. Read critic reviews
Trailer:
AI Images:
