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Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins, Don Cheadle, Connie Nielsen, Jerry O'Connell ... see more see more... , Kim Delaney , Elise Neal , Peter Outerbridge , Jill Teed , Kavan Smith , Armin Mueller-Stahl

Brian De Palma directed this science-fiction suspense story. When the United States sends its first manned mission to Mars, hopes are high for new scientific discoveries, but many of those hopes are d... read more read more...ashed when the Mars crew meets an unexplained disaster; three members of the mission are killed, and a fourth (Don Cheadle) loses all radio contact with the Earth. A rescue mission sets out to bring back the one survivor; in the process, they discover that Mars may not be a dead planet after all, and uncover some startling evidence about the fate of their predecessors. The rescue crew includes Gary Sinise, Jerry O'Connell, Connie Nielsen and Tim Robbins. The screenplay was partially by award-winning playwright Ted Tally, who won an Oscar for his adapted screenplay of The Silence of the Lambs. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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33% liked it

51,850 ratings

Critics

25% liked it

110 critics

PG, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: Brian DePalma

Release Date: March 10, 2000

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DVD Release Date: June 4, 2002

Stats: 1,751 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,751)

  • phubbs1
    March 12, 2012
    phubbs1
    As the end of the 20th Century came to a close, in the final year, we were given the first of two sci-fi films based on the planet Mars, this was the first released.

    It kinda came across that these films were like a kind of beacon, a sign for the start of greater things to come,... read more perhaps we would reach Mars very soon, perhaps what we were to see in these films would become reality...alas no, not yet.

    Even with a musical score composed by the legend Morricone this film falls short and its such a shame, to be honest its not too bad but clearly tries to be an epic and simply can't fill those boots. The plot obviously is revolving around adventures on and orbiting Mars, you know exactly what to expect really, the dangers, the tone, the atmosphere, the look etc...you can see it coming a mile off but you look forward to it because its space adventure.

    The problem is the film is desperately trying to be like '2001' in terms of grandeur in scale and visions but its just too plain, there is an obvious attempt to make it as real as possible but nothing looks exciting or new at the same time, its all rather dull looking. The effects are quite good with models and cgi in use (too much of course), good sets, nice Mars work etc...but there is nothing truly EPIC here, it almost looks like a TV movie at times.

    Casting is good, you simply can't do a space film without Sinise haha you just can't, the man just makes it look so...real! The rest of the team are decent, sensible and not overblown but maybe too big for the roles, the usage of unknowns would have been better I think.

    The score again like the film just doesn't quite hit the mark in my opinion, Morricone is the man and his work here is good for sure but is it me or does it sound a bit too close to his 'Untouchables' score? everytime it played I just kept thinking of 'The Untouchables'. As for the rest of the score its unusual and simply doesn't work, emotional scenes are ruined by a quite odd and poor choice in music which totally takes you out of the moment, the film may be inspired by a Disney ride but there's no need to make it sound like a Disney kiddie film.

    The whole film seems a tad rushed really, the plot jumps from one section to another not even showing the launches from earth or much travel, sure there are time constraints but maybe make the film a bit longer and add some realism or filler? characters are fleshed out mostly in flashbacks which mean nothing really, dialog is really cheesy which equals some pretty wooden/hokey acting from even Sinise! hehe.
    Add to that a rather dodgy looking cgi alien, a basic plot finale which was sort of an anti-climax and tries a bit to hard to do the 'E.T.' thing with your emotions but kinda fails and then a very blunt flat ending. Enjoyable film which tries its best to really be something special but isn't, the better of the two Mars films, the more sensible one (the 'Deep Impact' of the two ;) )
  • garyX
    June 1, 2011
    garyX
    An interplanetary mission is launched to the red planet to discover the fate of an scientific team stationed there. Directorial hack Brian DePalma once again cack-handedly fails to conjure any sense of wonder or tension in this half arsed space adventure that's all dry techno bab... read moreble at the start, giving way to ludicrous alien encounters at the end. The first half is basically Apollo 13 but even more dull, full of clumsy melodrama and absurd flag waving while the second tries desperately (and fails miserably) to create the kind of wonderment of 2001 or Close Encounters. Basically you have to endure an hour of space bound boredom just to find out that the pay off is really weak CGI and some unbelievably patronizing dialogue. It's a shame that a decent cast got involved in this simplistic nonsense, mainly because it's what duped me into sitting through it. Zero suspense in zero gravity.
  • ythelastman89
    March 30, 2010
    ythelastman89
    With a better budget and access to special effects, it would have been a great film. However, I donâ??t think weâ??ll ever get to see what Brian De Palma envisioned when he started working on this project. The performances are really what make it a compelling and interesting spac... read moree movie, but itâ??s just a visual disaster. Some things look very good, but donâ??t even come close to something like 2001: A Space Odyssey. I also really liked the idea and I think it would have been extremely effective had things worked out.
  • FilmFanatik
    December 21, 2009
    FilmFanatik
    Interesting, but poorly executed.
  • SirPant
    September 25, 2009
    SirPant
    Not a great film but it?s a bit of escapism innit. It has some really funny moments (all unintentional though!)
  • rezpatriot
    August 23, 2009
    rezpatriot
    I enjoyed this sci caper that tells about Mars exploration and what could happen if we find that there is room for life on the hostile planet. Although I think the end 20 minutes was a bit over the top. Good for the dads and sons of the family to watch on the weekend.
  • MissMorganLeee
    June 28, 2009
    MissMorganLeee
    Out of all the nastey death scenes I've seen in the movies, there was one in here that I find the MOST DESTURBING! The guy gets sucked up by the wind tunnel and is spinning sooooo fast that his limbs are ripped off!! My mouth literly fell open when I saw that. It was just,,,,ahh ... read morediscusting!
  • FiLmCrAzY
    April 29, 2009
    FiLmCrAzY
    i liked this movie but i hated the ending it was pretty unbelievable
    i like sci fi's but i dont like some movies where its going well and you think there is going to be a great ending but end up giving you a shit excse as to way things happened its like the ending to indiana jo... read morenes 4 which i also didnt like as it was great and then the ending is a let down!!
  • pier007
    September 23, 2008
    pier007
    Clearly inspired by Kubrick's 2001, DePalma visits outer space, weaving a planetary panspermia theory of evolution, and choreographing some impressive shots.
    Despite the weaknesses of the story, and the exclusively scientific and introspective point of view, the last minutes are ... read morelifted audibly, visually and emotionally by Ennio Morricone's ethereal music; and the capableness of its director and lead actor.
  • DouglasWCollins
    February 20, 2008
    DouglasWCollins
    This movie was pretty good until the cheesy ending. Though it is funny how Depalma waited until Kubrick passed away to completely Rip off 2001.

View All Mission To Mars Reviews

Critic Reviews

Rick Groen
March 22, 2002
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Despite a few breathtaking snapshots en route, it can't quite figure out the aesthetic itinerary -- where it's heading and why. Full Review

Jay Carr
January 1, 2000
Jay Carr, Boston Globe

Mission to Mars is sentimental, corny, and at times irredeemably campy.

Louis B. Parks
January 1, 2000
Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle

De Palma's touch is wrong at the most crucial moments. Full Review

(CNN.com) Paul Clinton
January 1, 2000
(CNN.com) Paul Clinton, CNN.com

This film is mind boggling and stupid, a derivative piece of doo-doo that's an embarrassment for all involved. Full Review

Bob Graham
January 1, 2000
Bob Graham, San Francisco Chronicle

Mission to Mars gets lost in mystical mumbo jumbo. Full Review

Tom Keogh
January 1, 2000
Tom Keogh, Film.com

Mission to Mars is neither commercial nor intriguingly indulgent.

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The film is worthwhile only to those who are in desperate need of a nap. Full Review

Jay Boyar
January 1, 2000
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel

At its best, Mission to Mars is a visually inspiring motion picture that takes you to another world and shows off the amazing sights.

Michael Wilmington
January 1, 2000
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

A film about space exploration that really knocks your eyes out.

Kenneth Turan
January 1, 2000
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

A movie as cold and distant as the Red Planet itself. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Mission To Mars Trivia

  • What was the first Disney movie based on a ride?  Answer »
  • Which actor has been in Anchorman, Mission to Mars and Bull Durham?  Answer »
  • Which movie stars Tim Robbins, Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins, Connie Neilson and Jerry O'Connell?  Answer »
  • ***Name The Movie The Following Casting Belongs*** ***Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins, Don Cheadle***   Answer »
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