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List Price: $9.98 | | Label: Warner Home Video
Salesrank: 4363
Released: June 1, 2004 |
| Our Price: $3.67 |
| Used Price: $1.98 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
IN THIS SCI FI EPIC MARTIAN SPACESHIPS ARE APPROACHING EARTH. SHOULD THE PRESIDENT BOMB THEM OR EMBRACE THEM? FROM THE OPENING SCENE IN A TOWN CALLED LOCKJAW, WHERE A BLAZING FIRE SPRINTS THE ROAD, TO THE APOCALYPTIC FINALE YOULL NEVER KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT SOPHOMORIC FUNNINESS, BLACK HUMOR, OR A GENUINE FRIGHT.
Description of Mars Attacks!:
It's enlightening to view Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! as his twisted satire of the blockbuster film Independence Day, which was released earlier the same year, although the movies were in production simultaneously. Burton's eye-popping, schlock tribute to 1950s UFO movies actually plays better on video than it did in theaters. The idea of invading aliens ray gunning the big-name movie stars in the cast is a cleverly subversive one, and the bulb-headed, funny-sounding animated Martians are pretty nifty, but it all seemed to be spread thin on the big screen. On video, however, the movie's kooky humor seems a bit more concentrated. The Earth actors (most of whom get zapped or kidnapped for alien science experiments) include Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rod Steiger, Michael J. Fox, Lukas Haas, Jim Brown, Tom Jones, and Pam Grier. --Jim Emerson
Mars Attacks! Reviews:
ACK! ACK! ACK! (trans: Tim Burton Is Our leader!) 
2009-10-05 - MARS ATTACKS! is sort of a melding of EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS and WAR OF THE WORLDS, w/ the ingenious idea of both paying homage to and doing a parody of 50s sci-fi in general. Using the infamous trading card collection as inspiration, Mr. Burton fleshes it out w/ non-stop hilarity and satire. The cast of big-name stars reminds me of the cast of IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD, WORLD. The martians are perfectly sinister in their bid to destroy mankind. The scene w/ Lisa Marie as the "hot" chick / martian in disguise is a classic! The weapon that finally proves to be the martians' undoing is VERY similar to that found in ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES, and even more effective! Tim Burton is one of my favorite directors. His oddball stuff never ceases to intrigue and / or entertain me. Long may he live...
No Sound 
2009-09-25 - I orignally purchased this item along with some other dvds. I have purchased movies from amazon before but this was the first dvd that did not work. You can only hear the background music. No dialogue. I figured that it was a defective dvd and requested a new copy. Amazon was very helpful in the return process. They sent me a replacement dvd right away. Unfortunately, the new dvd had the same problem as the other, no sound. I had send both dvds back and requested a refund. I received my refund in about a week. This has been the only problem that I have had with Amazon. But, they handled my return/refund so well, I continue shopping from them.
Tim Burton, the finest dark humor you can find
2009-08-23 - Only Tim Burton could come up with a dark humor story involving the finest oscar winning actors and have them all killed in a very fine and sophisticated dark humor movie.
This proves why Tim Burton is one of my best directors. Here in México, my friends and I get together from time to time to watch this fine movie and laugh out loud.
Brilliant and grisly, the epitome of farcical dark humor
2009-08-20 - All the movie stereotypes and cliches with the most talented cast and the most horrible (and humorous) Martians.
OK, so it doesn't involve deep introspection or have profound artistic meaning. It was still a riot. Martians invade Earth, and all the foibles of mankind are on display. Politicians, trailer parks, self-absorbed scientists, Las Vegas, the military, and the inner city all figure in the human response to the Martian invasion. Humanity is done for, unless they can find a weapon that will defeat the DaDaesque cruelties of the Martians!
This could have been a complete flop, but with Jack Nicholson (in several roles), Glenn Close, Pierce Brosnan, Pam Grier, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, and other first rate actors under Tim Burton's direction, this one came together beautifully. Not for the kids, with bizarre alien experiments, rampent lust, and hilarious violence, this will overwhelm younger kids, but is just right for a normal teens' sensibilities.
The best vignette from the whole move is in the midst of the Martian carnage, one Martian carries a translator box that quips "Don't run. We are your friends. We come in peace."
First rate fun for more robust viewers.
E. M. Van Court
TEN MILLION HAVE DIED . . . 
2009-08-17 - Oh, the humanity!
Imagine a world where Jack Nicholson is President.
Where Pierce Brosnan has the hots for Sarah Jessica Parker. *ew!* *yuck!* *hee-haw!*
Where one sees the true origins/relatives? of Achmed the Dead Terrorist.
Where our best efforts at peace still result in us getting blown away by these evil grinning martians!
Where Sarah Jessica Parker's face is changed . . . for the better.
Where ten million have died . . .
. . . and I'm not talking about humans.
The sad truth is that I'm never going to get those brain cells back.
Even with all the star power and parody, this movie didn't make me laugh out loud. Maybe a chuckle, here and there, but that's all. The last half of the movie is mostly just sitting back and watching the stupid humans throw out red carpets and podiums while the Martians draw their laser guns and blast everyone in sight.
I think part of the problem is that the live actors respond in a serious manner to a silly threat.
Oh, I see, that's supposed to be fall-out my chair hilarious, is it?
Sorry, that wasn't my experience.
Excuse me while I pop in a proper SF parody:
SPACEBALLS!
