Mars Attacks! Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Aliens show up, things go boom, yodeling saves the day, and honestly, it’s less about the plot and more about the colorful explosions.

🍿 Mars Attacks!: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Initial Contact and Deception

The film opens with the discovery of Martian spacecraft heading towards Earth, causing widespread panic and speculation. President James Dale, advised by Professor Donald Kessler, attempts a peaceful approach, believing the Martians to be intellectually advanced and therefore non-violent. This sets the stage for the Martians’ deceptive arrival, marked by the iconic yet ironically translated phrase, ‘We come in peace.’

The Massacre and Escalation

During the initial meeting in Nevada, the Martians abruptly attack the welcoming party, decimating General Casey, news reporter Jason Stone, and numerous soldiers. This act of betrayal shatters the hopes for peaceful coexistence and triggers a global crisis. President Dale, despite the evidence, attempts another diplomatic solution, leading to a devastating assault on the United States Congress.

Global Invasion and Widespread Destruction

Following the congressional massacre, the Martians unleash a full-scale invasion, targeting major cities and landmarks worldwide. The film showcases chaotic scenes of destruction, highlighting the Martians’ cruel sense of humor and technologically superior weaponry. Despite the escalating crisis, President Dale remains hesitant to authorize nuclear retaliation, clinging to the hope of a peaceful resolution until his own demise.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• President James Dale (Jack Nicholson): The President of the United States who initially seeks peaceful relations with the Martians, despite warnings.
• Professor Donald Kessler (Pierce Brosnan): A scientist and advisor to the President, who advocates for peaceful contact with the Martians and unfortunately gets captured.
• General Decker (Rod Steiger): A hawkish general who distrusts the Martians and pushes for a military response.
• Richie Norris (Lukas Haas): A donut shop employee who, along with his grandmother, discovers the Martians’ weakness.
• Florence Norris (Sylvia Sidney): Richie’s grandmother whose love for Slim Whitman’s music inadvertently saves humanity.
• Byron Williams (Jim Brown): A former boxer-turned-casino employee who displays courage and fights against the Martians.
• Martian Ambassador (Lisa Marie): The seemingly diplomatic Martian representative who orchestrates the initial attacks on Earth.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Martian Ambassador: “Ack ack ack!” – This serves as the Martians’ catchphrase and is used in various contexts, from greetings to threats, highlighting their alien and often incomprehensible behavior.
• President James Dale: “Why can’t we all just get along?” – Spoken during his address to the nation, just before the Martians obliterate Congress, it underscores the film’s satirical take on political idealism in the face of senseless violence.
• President James Dale: “I want to remind all Americans to remain calm. The only thing we have to fear is… them.” – A humorous twist on FDR’s famous line, used to reassure the public, it highlights the absurdity of the situation.
• Grandma Florence Norris: “They blew up Congress! Ha ha ha ha!” – This darkly comedic line encapsulates the film’s gleeful embrace of chaos and destruction.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $70,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $37,781,197
• Worldwide Gross: $101,381,197

💥 Mars Attacks! Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Mars Attacks!’ is one of those movies you either love or hate. I personally think it’s a hilarious parody of old sci-fi flicks. The Martian’s ‘Ack! Ack!’ noises get me every time. I think it is a dark comedy. The ending with Slim Whitman is just pure genius! I found myself laughing throughout the entire film and definitely recommend.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Tim Burton’s distinctive style”
  • “Viewers who enjoy dark comedies and satire”
  • “Those familiar with and appreciative of 1950s science fiction B-movies”
  • “Audiences who don’t mind over-the-top violence and absurd scenarios”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense scenes of violence, including ray-gun deaths and explosions”
  • “Dark humor that may not appeal to all viewers”
  • “Some disturbing imagery (e.g., head transplants)”
  • “Brief mild language”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “Burton throws everything at the screen, resulting in a chaotic but undeniably fun sci-fi spoof. The sheer scale of the cast and the outlandish visuals make it a memorable, if uneven, experience. Prepare for absurdity.
• RogerEbert.com: “While visually striking and featuring a stellar cast, ‘Mars Attacks!’ suffers from a lack of focus and a reliance on shock value over genuine humor. It feels like a collection of disconnected vignettes rather than a cohesive story.
• Variety: “Tim Burton’s ‘Mars Attacks!’ is a wild, uneven ride. While the film boasts impressive visuals and a star-studded cast, its dark humor and over-the-top violence may not appeal to all audiences. It ultimately feels like a parody pushed too far.

Audience Reactions

The dark humor and over-the-top violence made it a unique and unforgettable experience.: Many viewers appreciated the film’s satire of American culture and classic sci-fi tropes.

The all-star cast’s willingness to embrace the absurdity made the movie even more entertaining.: Fans praised the film’s visual style and the Martians’ distinctive design.

Overall Consensus: ‘Mars Attacks!’ is a divisive but memorable film, appreciated by some for its dark humor, visual style, and satirical take on sci-fi tropes, while others find it chaotic and lacking in substance.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The Martian designs were initially intended to be realized with stop-motion animation in homage to the work of Ray Harryhausen, but the cost proved too prohibitive, leading to the use of CGI.”
• “Many of the cast members agreed to appear in the film for significantly reduced fees due to their admiration for Tim Burton’s work.”
• “The film’s visual style was heavily influenced by the ‘Mars Attacks’ trading cards from Topps, which Burton collected as a child.”
• “The ending, with Slim Whitman’s music defeating the Martians, was a last-minute decision. Several other endings were considered and even filmed.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mars Attacks!?

Mars Attacks! is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video (available for purchase or rental), and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for television airings, and physical copies (DVD, Blu-ray) are also readily accessible online and in stores. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mars Attacks!, you might like these similar films:

• Independence Day (1996): Deals with a large scale alien invasion of Earth, albeit with a more serious and patriotic tone, offering a direct contrast in style and theme.
• War of the Worlds (1953): A classic alien invasion film that ‘Mars Attacks!’ directly parodies, sharing the theme of humanity facing a technologically superior extraterrestrial foe.
• Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964): Shares a similar brand of dark, satirical humor while dealing with a serious subject (nuclear war), using absurdity to critique societal institutions.
• They Live (1988): Another satirical take on societal control and hidden alien influence, ‘They Live’ uses a different genre (sci-fi horror) to critique consumerism and conformity.

🛒 Mars Attacks! Related Products

• Mars Attacks! Funko Pop! Martian Figure: This Funko Pop! figure captures the iconic Martian design with its oversized brain and menacing ray gun. A must-have for any ‘Mars Attacks!’ fan.
• Mars Attacks! The Complete Collection Hardcover: Relive the chaos and destruction with this collection of the classic Topps trading cards that inspired the movie.
• Ack Ack! T-Shirt: Show your love for the movie with this hilarious t-shirt, featuring a Martian.
• Mars Attacks! Movie Poster: This reproduction poster captures the film’s retro-inspired design, featuring the iconic Martians and Earth’s terrified defenders.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mars Attacks! features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Indian Love Call” – performed by Slim Whitman
• “It’s Not Unusual” – performed by Tom Jones
• “End Title” – performed by Danny Elfman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Untold Truth Of Mars Attacks!

Prepare yourself for an extraterrestrial adventure as we delve into the thrilling ‘Mars Attacks!’ with never-before-revealed tidbits. Join us on a journey to uncover the movie’s shocking origins, surprising cast, and the secrets that make it a cult classic.

MARS ATTACKS! – The Martian Madame from Mars Attacks!

Step into the shoes of seduction as we unravel the enigma of the Martian Madame. This video will show you how her charm and cunning made her an unforgettable part of ‘Mars Attacks!’, leaving you captivated by her extraterrestrial presence.

Animating the #marsattacks skit on #robotchicken part 2!! #adultswim

Get ready for an animated thrill ride! This video takes you behind the scenes of ‘Mars Attacks!’ as it’s brought to life in ‘Robot Chicken’s’ signature style. Prepare to witness the hilarious and unexpected ways the movie is reimagined.

✨ Rate