RED PLANET
A Warner Bros. release 

review by Joseph B. Mauceri

SYNOPSIS: At some point in the future humanity wakes up and realizes that weÕve pushed our planet past the point of no return. So we begin to terra farm Mars by seeding it with algae. All is going as planed until one day we turn our eye toward Mars and the algae have disappeared. With the clock ticking, we send a mission to the planet in hopes of establishing a colony and discovering the mystery behind the disappearing plant life. As expected, everything is systems go until the team arrives in orbit and preps to land. Houston we have a problem! Faced with numerous obstacles and mysteries, can the crew survive and return with answers that can hold the key to our survival? 

REVIEW: A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to interview screenwriter Chuck Pfarrer about the film ÒVirus.Ó In wrapping up the interview we spoke about his upcoming project, RED PLANET. I was able to track down a copy of his screenplay, which was more of a ÒRobinson Crusoe on MarsÓ with a twist. He posed the question, ÒWhy did the latest Mars explorer stop transmitting a signal?Ó The main character uncovers a few of MarsÕ secrets, which the government is already aware of. The team that they send to Mars is not a rescue team, but a hit squad. RED PLANET is not that movie. From the production designs to key plot elements, the final cinematic incarnation of RED PLANET is a blend of previously encountered ideas and designs from mission to MarsÕs epics and general science fiction films.

The spacecraft looks like a redesign of the ship used in Ò2001: A Space Odyssey,Ó and the interior looks like it was borrowed from the ship in ÒAlien.Ó The space suites are a of a similar style used in ÒThe Martin Chronicles,Ó Ò2001,Ó and if you remove all the bells-&-whistles they look like the bio-suites from ÒOutbreak.Ó There are numerous other technology-based visuals that genre fans will be able to quickly point out the film references.

There are numerous plot points that can easily be connected to films from Ò2001Ó to ÒMission to Mars.Ó RED PLANET tries to take a more grounded, naturalistic approach to its mysteries and perils. Although Dr. Bud Chantillas, scientist turned philosopher, has joined the mission as part of his personal metaphysical quest for a higher power, it simply remains nothing more then a philosophical debate. When the crew encounter problems with navigation robot it Gallagher easily explains the situation without any emotion, much less terror or dread. Badly banged up in the crash and locked in a defensive mode, it is only reacting to the crewÕs conversation about taking it a part ­ virtually ÒkillingÓ it  -- in order to salvage it for their survival. Hum, a modern ÒHalÓ with a more lethal bite. Even thought the acrobatic, cat-like movements of the robot are amazing, it looks like a Terminator Cyclops.

First time director Anthony Hoffman seems to struggle with staging and flashbacks. There are awkward cinematic moments that are not as cohesive as they could have been with a more experienced director. It breaks the flow and pacing of the narrative. The other problem I had -- I may just be grasping at straws here ­ I noticed a real lack of a minority presence in the film. Could it possibly have anything to do with the director being a native of South Africa?

Although there are survivors, RED PLANET can not be rescued by a talented cast or visual effects. There is nothing special or memorable to elevate this voyage to the Òangry red planetÓ beyond mediocre.

OFFICIAL WEB SITE:
http://www.REDPLANETMOVIE.COM

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