Great scenery; I believed the characters were in a mining village on Mars. Props for casting women over 40 in some of the key roles, as would be appropriate in a matriarchy. One weakness: much build-up was given to vicious convict, Desolation Williams (Ice Cube); but when he appears, he's not a bit scary. Maybe it's because Ice Cube has been in some Disney films, but he seemed too nice to be a convincing murder suspect. The possessed people were pretty scary. This is not the greatest science fiction/horror film I've ever seen, but it's entertaining enough, especially if you like zombie films.
Police Lieutenant Melanie Ballard (Natasha Henstridge From 'Species') is ordered to explain What exactly happened at Shining Canyon (Mars) and where the rest of her team mates were, to The Head Police Councel. She starts the movie out by telling the story from start to end. During the movie it switches back and forth from her talking and them actually being. So, your in a ride for heads being cut off or necks being sliced, bodies being mutilated (Peirced, Chains through the skin of the neck, knives and nails through the face & nose), burned, teeth in jars and scissors hanging from the ceiling. They spared no expense on the gruesome details. Yet, I didn't find myself jumpy on the edge of my seat. It was more gory than scary. They have some pretty 'fashionable' weapons I might add. Ice Cube (from: Torque, Are We There Yet?) played Desolation Williams(an 'extremely dangerous convict'). The team went to Shining Canyon to bring him back to Chryste (home base). He fit well into his Character. After they made such a big deal about how dangerous he was, he ended up teaming up with the Police and didn't seem like the 'Mr. Tough Guy' he was supposed to be. You might also recognize Jason Statham (from: The Italian Job, Cellular, or The Transporter). He is always hitting on Lt. Ballard when he gets the chance, and is the genius for unlocking/picking high tech mechanisms. Plays in about 1/3 the movie, since the Story is told From Lt. Ballards view. The color is slim to none, and the story ends the same as it began pretty much. Something you can't see possessing anything that tries to claim it's planet. So, you don't see ghosts. You get some dirt and paint covered humans possessed, dressed in ripped clothing with their bodies mutilated and teeth sharpened, acting like 'smart zombies'. Oh wait! There was ONE scene where Lt. Ballard was able to see what their plans were, and what they 'used' to look like before they went dormant. Im sorry, forgot about that ONE scene. Anyway, there's profanity, killing/gore, Little 'BOOMS', but no nudity. So Shocking. Kidding. My opinion? Average. Interested? Don't pay too much for it. Happy Watching!Read full review
AS I'M ALWAYS BEEN A FAN OF JOHN CARPENTER AND MARS/SPACE THINGS AS WELL , FOUND THIS MOVIE INTERESTING. ALTHOUGH IT LACKS A LITTLE BIT OF MORE ACTION AND THRILLER ; CONSIDER IT A GOOD MOVIE TO WATCH. I THINK BOTH THE CUSTOMS AND SPACE MONSTERS CONCEPT , MAKES IT LOOK DIFFERENT IN SOME MATTERS THAN OTHER MOVIES WE'VE SEEN FROM MARS TRYING TO IMITATE THE ALIEN'S SAGA. I LOVE NATASHA AND GET TO SEE SOME OF JASON STATHAM'S PERFORMANCE IN HIS EARLY CAREER. NOT THAT BAD FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY WATCHING MOVIES REGARDING MARS MYSTERIES. M.P.
bought because it was a collector's set Movie description In the year 2176, Earth has colonized Mars, and all positions of power are held by women. Police Lieutenant Ballard (Natasha Henstridge) is assigned to take a crew via train from the metropolis of Chryste to the deserted mining town of Shining Station to capture an extremely dangerous convict, Desolation Williams (Ice Cube). When Ballard and her crew arrive at Shining Station, an eerily deserted town, they find not only Williams, but also scientist Dr. Whitlock (Joanna Cassidy), who has secluded herself in the colony for safety. She tells Ballard and her crew that a mining project released a mysterious cloud from beneath the planet's surface. It is possessing the colonists, causing them to hunt down and kill off any non-possessed beings. Ballard and her crew decide that they must destroy the possessed beings for the good of the planet, a job which is more difficult than anyone predicts. John Carpenter's 17th theatrical feature combines action, horror, and sci-fi with thematic elements from earlier works (most notably ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 and THE THING). Rough around the edges with lots of energy and a sense of fun, GHOSTS OF MARS is a spirited genre cocktail.Read full review
I have always loved this movie, I love the all star cast of characters, there is just a continuous thrill, never a dull moment.. I would recommend this movie to anyone that likes frights and chills..
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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