RED PLANET
Rated PG-13 - Running Time: 1:46 - Released 11/10/00
Space movies have been popular since the first sputtering of Sputnik,
and in this golden age of computer wizardry, Hollywood filmmakers
are having a field day, taking pains to create what appears to
be authentic, believable effects with regard to space technology
and planetary landscapes. Unfortunately, they keep forgetting
about creating believable people. In Mission
To Mars, which was released last March, and 1998's Species 2, which included a Mars
mission, not to mention non-Mars- related features like Armageddon, Supernova,
and Sphere, the common thread
is the lack of a believable crew. Antony Hoffman's freshman effort,
the ambitious Red Planet, is no different. Although Hoffman
and his screenwriters, Chuck Pfarrer and Jonathan Lemkin, show
their respect for the greats by making obvious references to 2001:
A Space Odyssey, and have created a rather interesting story
with beautiful outer space scenery, their astronauts act like
actors, not like astronauts.
The first reference to 2001 is the name of the mission
commander: Bowman. However, this time it's Kate Bowman, played
by Carrie-Anne Moss. The film begins with Cmdr. Bowman introducing
her crew and explaining the mission. The year is 2057, and Mars
has been chosen for the relocation of us earthlings, who have
finally poisoned our own planet beyond repair. Unmanned missions
have planted algae to create an atmosphere, and Mars is now almost
livable for oxygen-breathing life forms. There's no Wal-Mart yet,
though.
The crew is being sent to investigate a change in the algae
population, and includes the arrogant co-pilot Ted Santen (Benjamin
Bratt), the atheist science officer Dr. Quinn Burchenal (Tom Sizemore),
the hunky and humble maintenance engineer Robby Gallagher (Val
Kilmer), the spiritual Dr. Bud Chantillas (Terence Stamp), and
the dark and enigmatic Chip Pettengill (Simon Baker). Also along
is Aimee, the robot that looks and acts like a very, very, very
smart German shepherd, and is trained not only to navigate the
Martian surface, but kill on command. Just in case H.G. Wells
was right. Although all these people are supposed to be professionals,
they bicker among themselves about God, their importance on the
mission, or any other subject that comes up, and compete for the
title of First One To Make It With The Commander, until they reach
their destination.
No space movie is worth its salt if nothing goes wrong, and
several things do. The ship is disabled by a solar flare, the
escape pod is damaged forcing a crash landing, and the cyber-dog
gets broken. This doesn't kill her but switches her to attack
mode (second 2001 reference — the one-eyed robot gone
bad). And to top it all off, the habitat that was supposed to
be there for them to live in...isn't. So we have a bunch of guys
stranded on an alien world with no air, no food, and a giant metal
attack dog stalking them. And you thought you had problems.
While this film is visually pleasing and sprinkled with just
enough science to seem intelligent but not annoying (there's even
a special appearance by the good ol' Mars Pathfinder), its characters
are right out of a comic book. Kilmer and Moss are perhaps the
most believable; their low-key performances help keep the schlock
to a minimum. But there's a simple lack of realism in the redneck-bar-style
male posturing, there are more life-and-death struggles than should
be allowed by law, and the bad dog scenario is more laughable
than horrifying.
Incidentally, 2001 is scheduled for re-release on Dec. 31, just in time to ring in its namesake year. At least we know there's a sensible crew on that mission. ***½