5 Star

Cult Sci-Fi Comedy

Mars Attacks, Tim Burton‘s (Corpse Bride, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) sci-fi dark comedy. I Cannot believe that this is the thirtieth anniversary, but very thankful that it has been remastered into this 4K UHD Steelbook Collectors Edition from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment that packs in the extra’s (see below). This steelbook anniversary collector’s edition is a must own for the dark comedy and sci-fi fan.

In true sci-fi style, Mars inhabitants have built an armada of flying saucers, (This film is based on Topps trading card series of the same name from 1962). They have designs on our blue marble one-hundred-and-forty million miles away.

There have been reports of aliens in the backyard for a long time as strange events happen, normally in a violent and sadistic manner.

But their armada has been spotted by Earths scientists, and now the U.S. President James Dale (Jack Nicholson, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Ironweed) addresses the nation about this historic event. They have a few days before the Martians reach Earth, so they set up a meeting place where the ambassadors of the two parties can meet.

General Casey (Paul Winfield, Twilight’s Last Gleaming, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan) is selected to represent Earth as General Decker (Rod Steiger, A Fistful Of Dynamite (AKA Duck, You Sucker!, On the Waterfront) wants to nuke them in orbit. With the help of Donald Kessler (Pierce Brosnan, The Long Good Friday, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) and other scientists they come up with a translating device.

“WE COME IN PEACE”

Yay, then a hippie goes and releases a dove as a sign of peace. Nope, not in Martian, war and they let loose with their ray guns, wiping out almost all the assembled people.

Then the dark humour really takes off and it’s man versus alien as Earth fights for its existence and a lasting peace with our neighbours.

Mars Attacks 4K release is a cracking addition to your sci-fi shelf, as the cast list is far too long to mention in this review, but it is a stellar cast. So Much Fun.

Mars Attacks! 30th Anniversary with SteelBook [4K Ultra HD] [1996]
Collector’s Edition is available now.

 

Mars Attacks! 4K Ultra HD Collector’s Edition contains the following additional features:

• Film on 4K UHD and Blu-ray
• SteelBook with Acetate O-Ring
• Rigid slipcase
• 2x Double-Sided Theatrical Posters
• 2x Double-Sided Alternate Artwork Cards
• 2x Double-Sided Iconic Scene Arts Cards
• 2x Double-Sided Behind-The-Scenes Arts Cards

*Contents subject to change