Mission to Mars (2000)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Brian De Palma

Writers (WGA):

Lowell Cannon (story) and
Jim Thomas (story) ...

Release Date:

10 March 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Let There Be Life.

Plot:

When the first manned mission to Mars meets with a catastrophic and mysterious disaster, a rescue mission is launched to investigate the tragedy and bring back any survivors.

Plot Keywords:

Mars | Sandstorm | Spacecraft | Beautiful Woman | Loss Of Husband

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Gary Sinise	...	Jim McConnell
Tim Robbins	...	Woody Blake
Don Cheadle	...	Luke Graham
Connie Nielsen	...	Terri Fisher
Jerry O'Connell	...	Phil Ohlmyer
Peter Outerbridge	...	Sergei Kirov
Kavan Smith	...	Nicholas Willis
Jill Teed	...	Reneé Coté
Elise Neal	...	Debra Graham
Kim Delaney	...	Maggie McConnell
Marilyn Norry	...	NASA Wife
Freda Perry	...	NASA Wife
Lynda Boyd	...	NASA Wife
Patricia Harras	...	NASA Wife
Robert Bailey Jr.	...	Bobby Graham

Also Known As:

M2M (USA) (promotional abbreviation)

MPAA:

Rated PG for sci-fi violence and mild language.

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX | SDDS | DTS-ES

Certification:

Iceland:L | Iceland:LH (video rating) | Malaysia:U | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:All | Brazil:14 | USA:PG (NO. 37274) | Australia:M | Finland:K-12/9 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Mexico:B | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | Philippines:G

Filming Locations:

Jordan

Company:

Jacobson Company, The

Trivia:

The communication viewscreen on Mars Recovery was built by Silicon Graphics (hence the abbreviation logo of SGI).

Goofs:

Factual errors: When on the planet of Mars we continually hear sounds. There is only an insignificant atmosphere and so we wouldn't hear anything except for the radio in their helmet/rocket.

Quotes:

Terri Fisher: When we get back, we have GOT to try this in the simulator...

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Once and Again: Learner's Permit (#2.7)" (2000)

Soundtrack:

Dance The Night Away

Hits home as a solidly great sci-fi movie

In this day and age of computer generated eye candy, it is very common to see movies that are based solely on special effects and nothing else. Movies like Wing Commander have great graphics, but the story line and acting leave you back at the ticket booth.

Mission to Mars does not fit in this category. When I saw previews, the special effects looked great, but I could also tell that there was a plot to this movie. For once, I was right on the mark. Mission to Mars made you think about what was happening and what the consequences were going to be. The suspense takes a firm grip on one's eyelids and pulls them up to the ceiling.

What truly makes this movie stand above others of its ilk is the great acting of the characters. In sci-fi shoot 'em ups, the viewer develops a way of not caring for the characters, as they are uncreative and inflexible. Mission to Mars made me care about every single character; I was eagerly awaiting every twist and relished every event.

The climax (which I will not at all spoil) was hair raising and at the end extremely satisfying. Upon leaving the theater I quickly realised that I haven't seen a better movie all year.

I give every recommendation I know to go see this movie. And, by the way, look out for some foreshadowing. It's in there.