I've been saying for years now that John Carpenter is NOT a good director and this film is proof of that. I'm sorry, but I just think he is very very bad at what he does. Don't get me wrong, I have liked a few of his films here and there, but even in the films I liked he does a number of things where I find myself rolling my eyes thinking "John, WHAT WAS THAT!?!?" Granted, I've only seen the following of his films: "Ghosts of Mars", "Vampires", "Escape From L.A.", "In the Mouth of Madness", "Memoirs of an Invisible Man", "Big Trouble in Little China", "The Thing" and "Escape from New York". I thought the bulk of these films were cool films and had some cool stuff in them, but were pretty badly directed. Maybe it's just me, I don't know.
As far as "Ghosts of Mars" goes, this film is just plain horrible! It really isn't often that I would say that about a film, but this is BAD!!! The story is somewhat interesting, but when you think about it for a while you realize how not-thought-out it really is. The acting isn't anything to get excited about. The script and dialogue are atrocious!!! The cast is nothing great, but there are a few cool people in it. The special effects are ok, but far from great. The make-up effects are done well, but they're pointless and look retarded! Well, if you haven't figured it out yet, I can complain about this film all day.
Did anyone notice the striking similarities between this film and "Pitch Black"? Ok, you've got the prisoner being transported, you've got a bunch of people on a strange planet, a bunch of crazy aliens running around messing things up, the good guys and the bad guys have to team up to win (although this aspect most certainly isn't restricted to these two films) and the film revolves around the relationship of the prisoner and the lead female. Wow! If you have a choice between the two, I'd strongly recommend you choose "Pitch Black".
There is one last thing that I just have to say. What is Ice Cube doing in movies? Especially supposed science fiction films? Seriously, this guy bugs the living heck out of me! Stick to your alleged music or go make another "Friday" sequel. Although, in Ice's defense, the film was already doomed when the script was written and John Carpenter was attached.
Unless you are a die-hard John Carpenter fan, and just can't wait to see this film, then do yourself a favor and watch a REAL science fiction film, and if it's going to involve Mars, watch "Total Recall", "Red Planet", "Mission to Mars", or "Rocket Man", just not this one. Thanks for reading,
-Chris
As far as "Ghosts of Mars" goes, this film is just plain horrible! It really isn't often that I would say that about a film, but this is BAD!!! The story is somewhat interesting, but when you think about it for a while you realize how not-thought-out it really is. The acting isn't anything to get excited about. The script and dialogue are atrocious!!! The cast is nothing great, but there are a few cool people in it. The special effects are ok, but far from great. The make-up effects are done well, but they're pointless and look retarded! Well, if you haven't figured it out yet, I can complain about this film all day.
Did anyone notice the striking similarities between this film and "Pitch Black"? Ok, you've got the prisoner being transported, you've got a bunch of people on a strange planet, a bunch of crazy aliens running around messing things up, the good guys and the bad guys have to team up to win (although this aspect most certainly isn't restricted to these two films) and the film revolves around the relationship of the prisoner and the lead female. Wow! If you have a choice between the two, I'd strongly recommend you choose "Pitch Black".
There is one last thing that I just have to say. What is Ice Cube doing in movies? Especially supposed science fiction films? Seriously, this guy bugs the living heck out of me! Stick to your alleged music or go make another "Friday" sequel. Although, in Ice's defense, the film was already doomed when the script was written and John Carpenter was attached.
Unless you are a die-hard John Carpenter fan, and just can't wait to see this film, then do yourself a favor and watch a REAL science fiction film, and if it's going to involve Mars, watch "Total Recall", "Red Planet", "Mission to Mars", or "Rocket Man", just not this one. Thanks for reading,
-Chris