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Mars Attacks! Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    52

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 30

    out of 100

    The New York Times Elvis Mitchell

    Just a parade of scattershot gags, more often weird than funny an dmost often just flat. [13 Dec 1996, p.C5]

  • 40

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

    Not as much fun as it should be. Few of its numerous actors make a lasting impression and Burton's heart and soul is not in the humor but (remember the "Batman Returns" backlash) in deadpan postmodern horrors, of which this film has a few.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    Mars Attacks! has the look and feel of a schlocky 1950s science-fiction movie, and if it's not as bad as a Wood film, that's not a plus: A movie like this should be a lot better, or a lot worse.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    ReelViews James Berardinelli

    A stillborn affair that could have been -- and should have been -- a whole lot hipper and funnier. If you've seen the two- minute theatrical trailer, you've seen nearly everything that's worthwhile in the feature.

    Read Full Review

  • 60

    out of 100

    Variety Todd McCarthy

    The picture is lacking in the uproarious humor that might well have ensued from the material, which instead inspires occasional laughs but, much more often, bemused fascination and wonderment at the bizarre imaginations and impressive skill of the filmmakers.

    Read Full Review

  • 83

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    In its nothing's-quite-at-stake way, Mars Attacks! has Tim Burton's flaked-out spirit -- it makes you feel like a very knowing 8-year-old, seeing through the artifice yet believing in it at the same time.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Mars Attacks! reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 12+

Alien-invasion satire for older tweens and up.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know this movie was based on a notorious series of trading cards that were censored for gruesomeness, and director Tim Burton doesn't hold back: abundant cartoony violence includes people being turned into skeletons by a death ray, vivisection (and whimsical re-assembly) of living humans, Martians' brains swelling and bursting, and cruelty to (computer-generated) animals. In addition the filmmakers have added some prostitutes to the blend. There is a subtle anti-authoritarian tone that kids have the smarts to save the world after all the annoying adults are wiped out.

  • Families can talk about the differences between this movie and Independence Day, and ask kids which one they enjoyed more, and why.

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Not many good role models here.

What to watch for
  • violence false5

    Violence: A herd of cattle is set on fire (digitally). A Martian death ray turns people into gruesome green skeletons, while other hapless citizens are crushed or impaled. There is a severe finger and a disembodied hand, and captured humans (and one alien-autopsied Martian) are taken apart and reassembled in gruesome ways. Much shooting at the Martians (though seldom very effectively).

  • sex false3

    Sex: The US presidential press secretary (Martin Short) is shown using the prestige of his office to pick up girls (two are prostitutes, one a nasty Martian in disguise). The Martian leader is shown perusing a magazine with a pin-up centerfold and getting some lascivious ideas.

  • language false0

    Language: Not an issue

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: A stereotyped white-coated scientist comes complete with a pipe to smoke thoughtfully.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.769
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4

by sinhippie

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