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What is it with these science fiction films that take you to the moon? All the writers seem to think you can or will find God out there. Well if you can't find God in the sunrise, a mountain meadow or a waterfall what makes them think a planet in space will host God? Did it ever occur to them if they are looking that far away for something it just might not exist for them? Same old theme same old message in Red Planet, directed by Antony Hoffman. The only new concept is that these space travelers can breathe on this planet. So much easier for the camera men to take film footage if we can see the actors faces. This movie takes us on a short six-month ride to Mars to find out why the oxygen levels have decreased. The reason there is oxygen on Mars is because years ago earth sent algae there to begin creating breathable air for us to colonize. You see we have destroyed our own environment and instead of repairing the damage we have done for hundreds of years we just think we can move on to another planet and continue with our destructive ways. The leader of this space journey is Commander Kate Bowman played by Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix). She seems to have the hots for most of the men she commands. She shows a special fondness for the ship's janitor Robby Gallagher, who is played by Val Kilmer (At First Sight). Since we know he is the leading man his subservient occupation is supposed to endear ourselves to him. Well as they approach Mars something happens to their ship and the commander sends all the guys off to the planet. The cocky pilot sends them tumbling down a mountain and destroys their vessels, kills the old scientist now philosopher (yes the one looking for a rock that says made by god) and basically strands them hours away from their destination. We are expected to believe that they are not alone on Mars, well okay they are not alone but whatever is there they brought or put there so again man has put in motion his own doom. Like any other space movie we have a hero and you got it the janitor. I will not spoil what happens or what he does but it is no big deal. If you like Val then I guess you will like this pretty much uneventful anticlimactic movie, if you like science fiction then I guess you will be entertained by the same old story recycled and given back under another name to pay lots of money for at the box office. Me, for some odd reason, I am drawn to cheesy science fiction films even though I could kick myself 30 minutes into it. I give Red Planet a five out of 10 in the About-Movies couch rating system. I would have given it a six but nobody bared their ass in this film and what is the point of going to the theater if you aren't go to see some ass.
Last updated: Thursday, March 20, 2008 02:49:51 AM |
