Mission to Mars (2000)

When the first manned mission to Mars meets with a catastrophic and mysterious disaster, a rescue mission is launched to investigate the tragedy and bring back any survivors.

Director:

Brian De Palma

Writers:

Lowell Cannon (story), Jim Thomas (story),

Stars:

Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins, Don Cheadle

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gary Sinise	...	Jim McConnell
Tim Robbins	...	Woody Blake
Don Cheadle	...	Luke Graham
Connie Nielsen	...	Terri Fisher
Jerry O'Connell	...	Phil Ohlmyer
Peter Outerbridge	...	Sergei Kirov
Kavan Smith	...	Nicholas Willis
Jill Teed	...	Reneé Coté
Elise Neal	...	Debra Graham
Kim Delaney	...	Maggie McConnell
Marilyn Norry	...	NASA Wife
Freda Perry	...	NASA Wife
Lynda Boyd	...	NASA Wife
Patricia Harras	...	NASA Wife
Robert Bailey Jr.	...	Bobby Graham

Storyline

When a mysterious storm kills all but one crew member of the first manned mission to mars, a rescue mission is launched. Once on the red planet, the crew finds the sole survivor of the first mission who informs them that this was no ordinary storm. It was meant to protect something. But what?

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Plot Keywords:

mars | sandstorm | face on mars | husband wife relationship | rescue operation | 

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Taglines:

Let There Be Life.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for sci-fi violence and mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Cinopsis [be] (French)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

M2M

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$90,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£767,484 (UK) (14 April 2000)

Gross:

$60,874,615 (USA) (14 July 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment, Jacobson Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX SDDS DTS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Many of the props from this movie, including the big turning wheel set and the spacecraft model are now on display in the line queue area at the "Mission Space" ride at Epcot in Walt Disney World in Florida.

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Goofs

When the three astronauts enter the alien structure and view the solar system model, all the planets (and the Earth's moon) are revolving in the wrong direction. Viewed from the Northern hemisphere, planets rotate counter-clockwise around the Sun, and so does the Moon around the Earth. It is possible that the alien solar system model is seen from the other orientation i.e. our Southern hemispheres of the planets are on top for them. However a Mars with large ocean masses in the top hemisphere is seen, which is in fact our Northern hemisphere of Mars, assuming that water filled the depressions on Mars long ago.

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Quotes

[Leaving the BBQ in his 1959 Corvette]
Woody Blake: Internal combustion, boys. Accept no substitutes.

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Crazy Credits

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's cooperation and assistance does not reflect an endorsement of the contents of the film or the treatment of the characters depicted therein.

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Connections

References Apollo 13 (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Ma 'Tit Fille"
Written by Buckwheat Zydeco (as Stanley Dural, Jr.)
Performed by Buckwheat Zydeco
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
By Arrangement with Universal Music Special Markets

User Reviews

A Visual Masterpiece

So many critics blasted Brian De Palma's "Mission To Mars", that I feel I must have seen an entirely different film. Perhaps people were expecting "Armageddon", or any other number of "space" films. This is a film about people, not space. People who are great friends on earth, who must face challenges to their friendships and their humanity, while in space and on Mars. They could just as easily have been in Kansas. Brian De Palma (the greatest living visual director), takes us on a glorious journey, with his camera. The sets and special effects never overshadow the actors, who blend in seamlessly, to create a visual treat for the eyes. This is a tender and moving film about people and their relationships. It's a beautiful film, told in a very slow, deliberate manner. It pays homage to many other films, but it is its own entity; unlike any other "space" movie you have ever seen. The film features wonderful performances from its cast, an effective score by Ennio Morricone, and peerless direction from Brian De Palma. The nature of its stunning visuals demand that this film be seen in widescreen, ONLY. Highly recommended!