NDSU Spectrum: Movie review

‘Red Planet’ is a beautiful journey to nowhere

By JOHN HANSEN

Dec. 1, 2000

Prior to this year, no one had really attempted a big budget blockbuster about Mars. Unfortunately for “Red Planet,” it’s the second movie this year to explore the fourth rock from the sun, following last spring’s “Mission to Mars.”

That film featured wonderful cinematography and strong acting and tapped into the frontier spirit of “2001: A Space Odyssey.” By contrast, “Red Planet” features wonderful cinematography, strong acting and taps into the frontier spirit of “2001.”

OK, so they are similar. However, the discerning sci-fi buff or astronomy nut will find subtle differences between “Red Planet” and “Mission.”

Roughly 50 years in the future, Earth’s resources are dwindling and mankind begins seeding Mars with algae to terraform it and move the population there.

The first manned mission to the red planet is led by Commander Kate Bowman (Carrie-Anne Moss). Her crew includes “space janitor” Robby Gallagher (Val Kilmer), Dr. Quinn Burchenal (Tom Sizemore), Ted Santen (Benjamin Bratt), Chip Pettengill (Simon Baker) and Dr. Bud Chantillas (Terence Stamp).

Aside from an offscreen voice from Mission Control in Houston and a robot named AMEE, these are the only six characters in the film. It’s as if these six people are the last vestige of mankind and they’re on the edge of time and space.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a space travel film if something didn’t go horribly wrong. First, a solar flare forces Bowman to launch the landing pod manually and stay aboard ship while everyone else explores the planet. Then AMEE goes into military mode and tries to kill everybody. Then the Mars habitat that was to supply the group with water, food and oxygen is found ripped to shreds.

And yet there is oxygen on the planet, much more than the algae could produce. What’s the answer to this riddle? And more importantly, do we get to see aliens or monsters of some sort?

The script by Chuck Pfarrer (“Virus”) and Jonathan Lemkin has just enough mystery to hold your interest. It also poses the classic sci-fi questions of “Technology or Human Spirit?” and “God or Science?” While the answers to these questions won’t surprise anyone, the film remains engaging thanks to Kilmer and Moss, who actually get to show some humanity in this movie.

“Red Planet” is undeniably a visual treat. While “Mission” depicts Mars in all its crimson glory, cinematographer Peter Suschitzky and director Antony Hoffman go with a darker approach for “Red Planet.”

Astronomers might appreciate “Red Planet” because it’s a rare sci-fi film that’s more interested in science than fiction. Even “2001” delved deeply into the metaphysical realm, but “Red Planet” strives to make science fascinating on its own. And when you’re looking at a field of green algae stretching to the horizon on a foreign world, you can’t help but be impressed.

Title: “Red Planet”

Starring: Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Carrie-Anne Moss, Benjamin Bratt, Simon Baker, Terence Stamp

Written by: Chuck Pfarrer and Jonathan Lemkin

Director: Antony Hoffman

Grade: B