Ghosts of Mars (2001)

In 2176, a Martian police unit is sent to pick up a highly dangerous criminal at a remote mining post. Upon arrival, the cops find that the post has become a charnel house.

Director:

John Carpenter

Writers:

Larry Sulkis, John Carpenter

Stars:

Natasha Henstridge, Ice Cube, Pam Grier

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Natasha Henstridge	...	Lieutenant Melanie Ballard
Ice Cube	...	Desolation Williams
Jason Statham	...	Sgt Jericho Butler
Clea DuVall	...	Bashira Kincaid
Pam Grier	...	Commander Helena Braddock
Joanna Cassidy	...	Whitlock
Richard Cetrone	...	Big Daddy Mars
Rosemary Forsyth	...	Inquisitor
Liam Waite	...	Michael Descanso
Duane Davis	...	Uno
Lobo Sebastian	...	Dos
Rodney A. Grant	...	Tres
Peter Jason	...	McSimms
Wanda De Jesus	...	Akooshay
Doug McGrath	...	Benchley

Storyline

200 years in the future a Martian police unit is dispatched to transport a dangerous prisoner from a mining outpost back to justice. But when the team arrives they find the town deserted and some of the inhabitants possessed by the former inhabitants of the planet.

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Plot Keywords:

martian | mars the planet | jail | outer space | music score composed by director | 

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Taglines:

You Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance

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Genres:

Action | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence/gore, language and some drug content

Did You Know?

Trivia

For the film's soundtrack, director and composer John Carpenter called upon various rock musicans to help enhance his own score. They include members of Anthrax, Steve Vai, Guns N' Roses' guitarists Buckethead and Robin Finck and Elliot Easton (formerly of The Cars).

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Goofs

Skill saw blades can inflict severe lacerations when thrown; however they are not sturdy enough, nor could they be thrown hard enough, to amputate limbs or heads as shown in the film.

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Quotes

Jericho Butler: It's pretty solid. One way in, back door out, leading to rear entrance.
[shuts door]
Jericho Butler: A good, sturdy door.
Melanie Ballard: So, what's your point?
Jericho Butler: It's rather cozy. Don't you think?
Melanie Ballard: I don't believe this. You lured me back here to seduce me?
Jericho Butler: Yeah, well, the way things are going, I thought this might be our last chance to, uh, to dance.
Melanie Ballard: Yeah.

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Connections

References Village of the Damned (1995)

User Reviews

What a bizarre experience from Mr. Carpenter

I love all of Carpenter's work, even The Ward, but this...

This is just bizarre. It's not like the idea of a cannibal Mars western is bad in itself, but the execution is all over the place.

I remember seeing this as a kid, but now, I just can't hold my laughs. Everything, and I mean it - everything is messed up. The tone is semi-comical, the dialogue is randomly generated, the action is not great, the production feels like a cheap 80ties Italian Mad Max rip-off. The film also strongly reflects the things of the early 2000s - cheap nu-metal-like soundtrack, Marilyn Manson-lookalike villain...Ice Cube as an actor.

And the dissolves, man...the dissolves...

This still could've been a dark comedy or a parody, but the way it's handled...I can't make anything out of it.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 August 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,804,452, 26 August 2001

Gross USA:

$8,709,640

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,010,832

Company Credits

Production Co:

Screen Gems, Storm King Productions, Animationwerks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (FotoKem)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1