Rain85
Joined Jul 2004
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Rain85's rating
THIS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS****** To cut a long story short, 'Ghosts of Mars' is a trendy updated version of Carpenter's earlier, more influential films like 'Escape from New York' and especially 'Assault on Precinct 13'. The film is generally exciting and there is an amount of suspense but it mainly focuses on a high body count, fashionable amounts of blood and gore and a band of socially mismatched characters. The cast, which includes veterans Pam Grier and Joanna Cassidy, well-established screen actors Natasha Henstridge, Jason Statham, Ice Cube and Clea Duvall are, in my opinion, wasted on a post-Alien screamer for an excessive 'MTV' generation.
The use of inter-cutting time periods and flash-backs in the narrative redeem some of the films weaker points as the film is given a fresh and original feel. The influence of John Carpenters past glories are rife in the film. Early on an uneasy relationship between the criminal and the law enforcer is established (Assault, Escape...)And the idea of an indestructible evil battling its way into the safe haven of the good-guys has already been explored in 'Assault..', 'The Fog' and 'Halloween'.
An exploitation feel is retained owing much to the acting, typical Carpenter scores and the theme of chaos Vs.order. The movie challenges the audience early on to decide who will survive at the end and instead of embracing a triumphant 'good wins' finale it revels in the violent deaths of the main characters. It is difficult to empathise with good or evil as their roles are interchangeable the 'Ghosts' can be viewed as the victims who will defend their planet at all costs while 'the good guys' are the ruthless, emotionless intruders of Mars intent on furthering colonisation.
The ambiance of paranoia is perhaps due to the dark, enclosed and futuristic setting with a lack of establishing or landscape shots. Also, the ending is confusing and brief leaving the audience high and dry. Watch this film if you are a Carpenter fan, you will love its references to his other films. For everyone else, sit back, get the popcorn in and watch this brainless action horror that incidentally is actually rather good!
The use of inter-cutting time periods and flash-backs in the narrative redeem some of the films weaker points as the film is given a fresh and original feel. The influence of John Carpenters past glories are rife in the film. Early on an uneasy relationship between the criminal and the law enforcer is established (Assault, Escape...)And the idea of an indestructible evil battling its way into the safe haven of the good-guys has already been explored in 'Assault..', 'The Fog' and 'Halloween'.
An exploitation feel is retained owing much to the acting, typical Carpenter scores and the theme of chaos Vs.order. The movie challenges the audience early on to decide who will survive at the end and instead of embracing a triumphant 'good wins' finale it revels in the violent deaths of the main characters. It is difficult to empathise with good or evil as their roles are interchangeable the 'Ghosts' can be viewed as the victims who will defend their planet at all costs while 'the good guys' are the ruthless, emotionless intruders of Mars intent on furthering colonisation.
The ambiance of paranoia is perhaps due to the dark, enclosed and futuristic setting with a lack of establishing or landscape shots. Also, the ending is confusing and brief leaving the audience high and dry. Watch this film if you are a Carpenter fan, you will love its references to his other films. For everyone else, sit back, get the popcorn in and watch this brainless action horror that incidentally is actually rather good!