Red Planet (1994– ) User Reviews

Just like the novel.... Only Different

[jessewillis · 7/10 · 18 May 2000]

Red Planet the animated mini-series based upon the novel by RAH is a mixed bag. I'd have liked it to have been more faithful to the book but it is pretty good for what it is. There is a lot to like and a lot to hate. The villans and action sequences are disappointing but the feel that New Ares (Mars?) has is quite nice. The alien "locals" are also well done. I wish they'd do more animated mini-series based upon novels, it would much improve the quality of animation on television.

Just like the novel.... Only Different

[jessewillis · 7/10 · 18 May 2000]

Red Planet the animated miniseries based upon the novel by RAH is a mixed bag. I'd have liked it to have been more faithful to the book but it is pretty good for what it is. There is a lot to like and a lot to hate. The villans and action sequences are disapointing but the feel that New Ares (Mars?) has is quite nice. The alien "locals" are also well done. I wish they'd do more animated miniseries based upon novels, it would much improve the quality of animation on television.

Got me hooked on Science Fiction

[SimianLogic · 9/10 · 4 November 2000]

I was always a big fan of Saturday morning cartoons, any genre. My favorites were always Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or whatever shows based on comic books were currently running. When I was in the sixth grade, Red Planet came out. I liked the miniseries so much that I bought the book, which was written towards children of my age. I loved it. It wasn't the same as the miniseries, but they came close enough in imaginative scope. I think Heinlein would've been proud. Since then I've become an avid Heinlein and sci/fi fan. The film not only inspired me to read more, but it also inspired me to dabble in my own authorship. The worth of my stories has yet to be proved, but the therapeutic value is unmatched by anything else. I've seen the film again, after having read the book, and it is still amazing. This film is targeted at children, and is perhaps the best kid's movie I've ever seen.

True to the spirit of the book

[sfboy101 · 5 December 2001]

This was a great way to bring the novel to the screen. Think two- or three-episode "Batman" -- just enough time to tell a longer story, and still aimed at kids just old enough to follow a more intricate plot. Heinlein's juvenile novel "Red Planet" wouldn't make much of a film, but was very well adapted into a rarely-seen form, the animated miniseries. I would like to see more of these!

Red Planet

[parisskyinflames · 10/10 · 28 August 2007]

I'm looking for a copy of this series. I loved it as a kid and have been having thoughts of nostalgia on Saturday morning cartoons and this animation still stayed with me as an adult. It is probably the best animation series that Fox ever put out (other than X-men), even though it was 3 episodes. I was never much of a sci-fi fan even as a kid but something about the story caught my attention enough to the point where I tuned in the following Saturday to see what happened next. I've been searching hi and lo to find any references to this awesome animation but the closet I got was this website. If any one knows where to find a copy of Red Planet the mini-series please, please, please contact me!

Interesting adaption of the book.

[omega2064 · 10/10 · 8 June 2005]

Red Planet is based on the Heinlein novel of the same name Red Planet: A Colonial Boy on Mars (1949) and is a passable little 3 part miniseries with some very notable divergences. (But then when don't they change things.) Animation looks to be from the same group as was doing the Spider Man animated series at the time and is above average for its production values. Though obviously not a big budget work. Red Planet still looks good. Some minor spoilers may follow if you haven't read the book beforehand.

The series follows the exploits of 2 young boys on the planet New Ares, apparently not Mars for some reason, and their adventures and trials in dealing with an increasingly corrupt and callous governing body over the hard working colonists. The series drops some elements and tosses in many more, such as cyborg bounty hunters, expanding on the desert water-seekers, and a side plot involving a cover-up. Along the way Jim, Frank, and a spunky tag-along little sister learn more than they bargained for about their little friend. Willis, a native creature capable of simple speech and very inquisitive too. And of course the almost mythical aboriginals wandering in the background.

Could have followed the book more. But well done as it stands.

Mini series didn't follow the book! Loved the book not the mini series

[tardistransport · 1/10 · 8 May 2014]

The problem with this mini series was that it was so FAR from the original book! Changing WHO took the trip and why. Making it all about environmental issues when that was not even close to what the original intent was made me upset. I am a big fan of the book and hate what the re-writer did to it. Also the sister wasn't even old enough to go to the school in the the book. In the book they were attempting to change the environment of Mars to make it like Earth. There weren't miners. The Father worked for the company not the Mother. Jim's best friend,Frank, skated home with him.The sister was home with mamma. The Red Planet was a charming book that dealt with nothing more than two boys letting their town know it was being left out in the cold for the entire winter. Just an attempt to turn out a PC story which ruined one that was already excellent.

Great eco-anime

[joe-ladwig · 9/10 · 22 January 2019]

This is an eco-anime, it's story is very good, and well put together, it still holds up in 2019

Oh I miss this,,,

[Cciraco · 10/10 · 12 February 2007]

I have very fond memories of the Red Planet mini series and have been struggling for years to find a little something of it. I have only managed to find a short summary clip on some nostalgia website, and I've even written to FOX to obtain a copy of it...we'll see if that actually works. Although it diverges from the book somewhat, I felt that as a miniseries it did the book justice and I certainly owe the creators a debt of thanks for introducing me to the works of Heinlein after watching that show! Even years later I can still hear the voice of Willis saying "Jim boy!" How I wish I could watch it again. The brilliant last scene where Willis grows up and explains it all to Jim is classic too; truly a perfect story for youths to understand bonds of friendship, truth, the struggle of growing up. Maybe if FOX can't help, I'll write to Mark Hamill (the voice of James Marlowe, Sr) himself to see if he's got a copy! LOL I'm sure he's got one tucked away amid all his Luke Skywalker memorabilia.