Mars Attacks! (1996)

Director:

Tim Burton

Writers (WGA):

Len Brown (trading card series) &
Woody Gelman (trading card series) ...

Release Date:

13 December 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Nice planet. We'll take it!

Plot:

The Earth is invaded by Martians with irresistible weapons and a cruel sense of humor.

Plot Keywords:

Martian | Las Vegas | Alien | Weapon | Planet

Awards:

2 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Jack Nicholson	...	President James Dale / Art Land
Glenn Close	...	First Lady Marsha Dale
Annette Bening	...	Barbara Land
Pierce Brosnan	...	Professor Donald Kessler
Danny DeVito	...	Rude Gambler
Martin Short	...	Press Secretary Jerry Ross
Sarah Jessica Parker	...	Nathalie Lake
Michael J. Fox	...	Jason Stone
Rod Steiger	...	General Decker
Tom Jones	...	Himself
Jim Brown	...	Byron Williams
Lukas Haas	...	Richie Norris
Natalie Portman	...	Taffy Dale
Pam Grier	...	Louise Williams
Lisa Marie	...	Martian Girl

Also Known As:

¡Marcianos al ataque! (Argentina) (dubbed version) [es]
Çilgin marslilar (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Atacul Martienilor (Romania) [ro]
Ha-Plisha M'Ma'adim (Israel: Hebrew title) [iw]
Mars Attacks! (Germany) [de]
Mars Attacks! (France) [fr]
Mars Attacks! (Spain) [es]
Mars attaque! (Canada: French title) [fr]
Mars hyökkää (Finland) [fi]
Mars napada (Croatia) [hr]
Mars napada (Slovenia) [sl]
Marsjanie atakuja (Poland) [pl]
Marte Ataca! (Portugal) [pt]
Marte ataca (Spain) [es]
Oi Areianoi epitithentai! (Greece) [el]
Támad a Mars (Hungary) [hu]

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi fantasy violence and brief sexuality.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Philippines:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Chile:TE | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Israel:PG | Italy:T | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Spain:7 | Sweden:11 | UK:12 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Company:

Tim Burton Productions

Trivia:

Michael Keaton was also considered for the role of the President.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the Martians come to her room, Grandma holding/not holding the headphones cord between shots.

Quotes:

Grandma Florence Norris: Richie, I think these guys are very sick.

Movie Connections:

References Batman Returns (1992)

Soundtrack:

Headstrong

A guilty pleasure that grows on you

When I first saw this in the theater with my granddaughter, we both found to be pretty lame and disappointing, but not without some wit to it. Since then, it's been on the cable channels multiple times, and I always find myself watching it again. I really hate to admit it, but this thing has really grown on me - so much so that I finally bought the DVD.

When I first saw it, I wouldn't have given it more than a 4 out of 10, but after repeated viewings, I now give it a 9. I can't really say why, and I certainly can't justify it in any rational sense, but it all just works for me. The wry wit, the blatant social and political commentary, I find it all immensely satisfying.

My confession's over, I'll do my penance. But I have to also say that my granddaughter's opinion of it has never wavered. She considers this movie as evidence of my incipient senility...