In the tradition of high-tech, futuristic science fiction films about aliens, faraway planets and the occasional faulty space shuttle, “Red Planet” does not disappoint.
But, in the tradition of really bad movies about Mars (namely last year’s dud, “Mission to Mars”), it seems “Red Planet” does in fact dishearten those hoping for something more.
The movie, despite its innovative special effects and high-budget gadgets, doesn’t really do anything that hasn’t been done countless times in the past year, such as in “Pitch Black,” which accomplished a lot more with a similar story.
The story takes place in 2050. Earth, now housing more than 12 billion people, is running low on pretty much everything from natural resources to space. The planet is dying and everyone is going to go with it unless they all move - to Mars, that is.
The attempts to build Mars a livable, breathable atmosphere prior to the beginning of the movie had been both successful and unsuccessful. So an American team of five is sent on the first manned mission to Mars to solve the problem, terraform the planet and most of all, save the human race.
The film, from emerging director Antony Hoffman and screenwriter Chuck Pfarrer (“Virus,” “The Jackal”), has an uncountable amount of annoying ups and downs. It’s an action flick that tries to have too much feeling.
One moment the characters will be fighting bravely for their lives, and the next they could either be sitting around discussing philosophy or God or even telling each other their plans of what they are going to do once they become the king of Mars.
It is really hard to stay focused on the story when it isn’t presented well. However, when the story is in sync with the action, when what the characters are talking about actually matches up with the events happening, it is really hard not to watch.
Val Kilmer (“The Saint”), Tom Sizemore (“Saving Private Ryan”) and Carrie-Anne Moss (“The Matrix”) round out most of the cast in a good way. Sizemore brings humor to the role of a bioengineer in his exit from his usual gangster roles. Kilmer, though, is his typical character as a cool maintenance manager. “Red Planet” serves a good second science fiction-action movie for Moss.
And filling the role of the character known as Mars are two locales picked specifically for their similarity to Martian landscape: Wadi Rum, Jordan and Coober Pedy, Australia.
A lot of the film is reminiscent of “Armageddon,” but it doesn\'t have the same appeal. The emotion “Red Planet” presents does not seem as sincere.
It does entertain to some extent, however. But most of this comes not from the bonding dialogue between the characters, the sights of the foreign planet or even the small element of horror thrown in; it comes from the simple action, the high-tech gadgets and the constantly occurring problems the characters must face.
The special effects are truly outstanding and the action could easily be called some of the best seen this year. This is a movie for those who love visual effects and fast-paced, sci-fi action.
However, “Red Planet” does not have what it takes to save the human race, let alone fully entertain audiences for the entire two hours it takes up.
