Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4616 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-08-01
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Italian
• Dubbed in: Italian
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 109 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
If Brian De Palma directed Mission to Mars for 10-year-olds who have never seen a science fiction film, he can be credited for crafting a marginally successful adventure. Isolated moments in this film serve the highest purpose of its genre, inspiring a sense of wonder and awe in the context of a fascinating future (specifically, the year 2020). But because most of us have seen a lot of science fiction films, it's impossible to ignore this one's derivative plot, cardboard characters and drearily dumb dialogue. Despite an awesome and painstakingly authentic display of cool technology and dazzling special effects, Mission to Mars is light years away from 2001: A Space Odyssey on the scale of human intelligence.

After dispensing with a few space-jockey clichés, the movie focuses on a Mars-bound rescue mission commanded by Jim McConnell (Gary Sinise), whose team (Tim Robbins, Connie Nielsen, Jerry O'Connell) has been sent to retrieve the sole survivor (Don Cheadle) of a tragic Mars landing. During the sequence en route to Mars, De Palma is in his element with two suspenseful scenes (including a dramatic--albeit somewhat silly--space walk) that are technically impressive. But when this Mission gets to Mars, the movie grows increasingly unconvincing, finally arriving at an alien encounter that more closely resembles an astronomical CGI video game. But this is a $75 million Hollywood movie, and no amount of technical wizardry can lift the burden of a juvenile screenplay. Kudos to Sinise, his co-stars, and the special effects wizards for making the most of hoary material; shame on just about everyone else involved. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

Video Description
DVD Special Features (TO BE CONFIRMED):

Theatrical trailer(s)
Audio Commentary Animatics to Scene Comparison
Documentary "Visions of Mars"
Visual Effects Analysis Production
Art Gallery
DVD-ROM Features
Widescreen anamorphic format

Synopsis
In 2020, a group of astronauts headed by Luke Graham (Don Cheadle) set out to be the first humans on Mars. After they've landed, they investigate a strange noise near an unusual rock formation, and an unpredicted storm conjures up a living tunnel of sand that wipes out everyone except Graham. His pals back on a space station near Earth spring to his rescue despite the concern of their stodgy Russian captain (Peter Outerbridge) that in the year it will take to reach him, Graham will likely die. Nonetheless, they have to try it. Manning the spacecraft is Jim McConnell (Gary Sinise), a shaky but brilliant space cadet mourning the death of his wife (Kim Delaney); newcomer Phil (Jerry O'Connell); and married astronauts Woody (Tim Robbins) and Terri (Connie Nielsen). After various catastrophic setbacks, they make it to Mars in time to discover some shocking secrets, including the very origin of life in the universe. Highlighted by staggering special effects, this ambitious Brian De Palma film straddles the void between Kubrick's 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY and Cameron's THE ABYSS, with imaginative results. The music is by Ennio Morricone.

Customer Reviews

Worst movies ever #5
This is quite boring, and the CGI is quite rubbish, the acting isn't much better either! The ending is silly, avoid this film if you like sci-fi films.

Give this film a break !!
The reason that many people feel let down by the ending is that de palma unlike many other hollywood directors does what he likes and thankfully didnt create a typical happy ending, its meant to be sad and it works 100%. This film is visually stunning and the cast is excellent, maybe i do agree with some comments on first viewing, but on the second possibly third viewing i could see this film was a classic. If you are a brian de palma, rather than a typical sci-fi fan, buy now.

Void of violence and full of hope.
Not sure why people are trying to burn this movie as it's actually pretty good. The CGI is good the acting is fine and the story, although overly simplistic at times, is well paced with enough happening to keep the viewer interested without being overblown. I'm one of the poor suckers that bought "Serenity" which must go down in history as one of most hyped movies ever. I would gladly swop my copy of "Serenity" for a copy of "Mission to Mars".

Even though I agree that this film isn't another "2001 A Space Odyssey" it's in many ways more fun because of it's easy going style. In my DVD collection I would put this film next to "The Day After Tomorrow" as it's the kind of film that I could watch again and again.

The bottom line is that this is a good wholesome family movie void of violence and full of hope.