I really like movies from John Carpenter, they all have something, something unique only that comes from the brain of John Carpenter. Somehow i didn't watched Ghosts of Mars to this day, and how i made a mistake listening to reviews and other people, this is exceptional entertainment, this is not intelligent movie, but it is very action packed and moving film, and still it keeps the atmosphere for which Carpenter is known for. You really have a feeling that it is happening on colony on Mars. Ghosts of Mars is great mixture of action, sci-Fi, horror and even western segments. Cast is very good, Natasha Henstridge has done great job as the main charachter, i will also praise the acting of Jason Statham in this one, on of my favorite charachters in the movie for sure, other part of the cast is also great, Ice Cube is solid in his role of gangsta Desolation Williams, i would also mention performances of veteran actresses Pam Grier and Joanna Cassidy. I also enjoyed the soundtrack which was once again created by Carpenter himself, goes well with the movie. I really enjoyed Ghosts of mars and i recommend anyone who loves action movies and works of John Carpenter. My grade 7/10.
Plot summary
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 the post deserted and something far more dangerous than any criminal — the original inhabitants of Mars, hellbent on getting their planet back.
Uploaded by: OTTO
August 16, 2012 at 12:07 PM
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Entertaining vacation on Mars
Good, wonky action fun
The wild-west inspiration is obvious.
It could just as easily have been made as a "regular" horror-western, and perhaps a remake/reimaging will make it so.
The sets are OK, the CGI is so-so.
The actors are doing a decent job and all in all, the film accomplishes what it sets out to do: A two-fisted action-romp with a splash of horror and gore.
It's not high art but it is silly fun and good enough for an evening along with popcorn and soda.
"Lieutenant, we've got a situation here!"
Nobody ever calls 'The Hustler' 'Robert Rossen's The Hustler', despite that being what it says on the credits; yet this is routinely filed under 'J' for 'John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars', although by then calling it that was a warning rather than a recommendation.
I've long contended that 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976) would be considered one of the great sci-fi movies had it simply begun with an opening caption identifying it as being set in 1980. (I'm sure it's not by chance this is set in 2176.)
This visceral and foul mouthed mixture of Carpenter's earlier classic and 'Escape from New York' (complete with a noisy rock score by the director and retro wipes and dissolves), with sets and costumes inspired by 'Planet of the Vampires', is marginally less mediocre than most of his later films, has a ballsy heroine (with a scar on her neck in homage to the one on his nose inflicted on Jack Nicholson in 'Chinatown'), a satisfying number of post-menopausal women in positions of authority. And a cool ending.