Mars Attacks!

1996 • 105 minutes
4.2
826 reviews
56%
Tomatometer
PG-13
Rating
Eligible
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About this movie

Director TIM BURTON unleashes MARS ATTACKS!, a vicious, affectionate, brightly-colored homage to 1950s alien invasion movies. When a shiny silver flying saucer lands in the Nevada desert, a group of skull-faced Martians exit the gleaming craft. Although they claim to be peaceful, they promptly "vaporize" a gathering of unfortunate Earthlings, kicking off a bizarre high-tech war with wild special effects. This studiously campy sci-fi spoof, based on a series of Topps bubble-gum cards, gleefully parodies not only schlock B-horror movies, but also overblown blockbusters such as INDEPENDENCE DAY. This subversive film is helped along by an all-star cast including JACK NICHOLSON in dual roles as both a clueless U.S. President (with First Lady GLENN CLOSE) and a Las Vegas sleazebag. The film follows the wacky WAR OF THE WORLD--like proceedings from the points of view of numerous colorful characters, from the inane U.S. Press Secretary (MARTIN SHORT) to a trailer-park family (LUKAS HAAS and SYLVIA SIDNEY), singer TOM JONES (as himself).Copyright 1996 Warner Brothers. All rights reserved. MPAA Rating: PG-13 1996 Warner Bros. All Rights Reserved #Trailer #WB
Rating
PG-13

Ratings and reviews

4.2
826 reviews
Christian Bradshaw
December 5, 2016
...and i loved Jack Nicholson as the president dealing with a war hungry general. The press briefing with Martin Short cracked me up. It was meant to look and feel like a b rated flick. So if you're looking for something like Alien or War of the Worlds, move on.
Dave Osterberg
March 13, 2016
As a lover of old classic sci-fi, I recognized these aliens right away. I think there was even model kits...Here's the deal, the Alien's are insane, yet we keep on trying for their sunny side. Hint: This movie is not about the aliens!
18 people found this review helpful
Dan Iliescu
July 25, 2017
This classic is bold and has favorable clean fun with aliens and humans to enjoy. From Earth planet 3 to Mars planet 4, both teams face to hold planet supremacy at heart. The motion seems random to this opinion but action filled. Fine show and even such a family to the kuiper belt of asteroids of these major planets as together. Great.