Red Planet

Science Fiction/Fantasy and Thriller.
Starring: Val Kilmer, Benjamin Bratt, Carrie-Anne Moss , Simon Baker , Tom Sizemore.
Directed by Anthony Hoffman


Packed with futuristic high-tech special effects, RED PLANET is an action drama that explores the apocalyptic possibility of Earth becoming unliveable for human beings. A diverse team of astronauts travels to Mars to investigate human living conditions on that planet. But, through one pitfall after the next, including a bad landing that damages the spacecraft's equipment, and increasing tension among the crew members, the mission becomes more and more dangerous.

Following the unfortunate Mission to Mars earlier this year, the Martians have landed again, this time they have got it right. Partly an action film, but primarily a sci-fi adventure with philosophical undertones, Red Planet, which was largely shot in Australia, is a larger-than-life adventure film that is far better than its hokey script often suggests. Visually rich in both mechanical effects and CGI, here is a film that is bound to appeal to science fiction aficionados on the one hand, and audiences after above average Entertainment.

Fast and furious, screenwriter Jonathan Lemkin has made a reasonable attempt at fleshing out a group of interesting characters, giving something more to do than in typical action fare. It's by no means perfect, and the script occasionally lapses into silliness and some forgettable dialogue, but on a purely cinematic level, the movie is an exciting and visually demonstrative affair, in which special effects enhance, rather than take over, the film's narrative core.

Featuring some dry humour along the way, Red Planet boasts the advantage of stunning locations in both Jordan and the Australian outback, serving to double for Mars, and the movie looks splendid. Interiors were filmed at Sydney's Fox Studios and once again, does wonders for the film's futuristic look. Performances are more patchy, but then it can be argued that this is a film hardly performance dependant. Kilmer smiles a lot and is less successful than conveying a real sense of depth, while Carrie-Ann Moss is far better than the head of this Martian mission. In his first big studio flick, Aussie Simon Denny stands out from an otherwise uninspiring male pack, though Brit Terence Stamp is wonderful as usual.

While the acting is largely forgettable, the real stars of this otherwise exhilarating sci-fi yarn are director Anthony Hoffman and his talented crew of technicians and effects team, who so beautifully create the illusion of the film's sparse and vivid setting. Red Planet is an exciting, well crafted sci fi actioner, with moments of intelligence. It's not a great film, but in comparison to Mission to Mars, it's still a masterpiece.


- Paul Fischer