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John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars (2001) Reviews

John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars (2001)
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Writer and director John Carpenter returns to the mixture of science fiction and horror that made The Thing (1982) a success. Natasha Henstridge stars as Lt. Melanie Ballard of the Martian Police Force, a member of a law enforcement team two centuries in the future, dispatched to the remote colony of Shining Canyon. There, the most notorious criminal on Mars, James "Desolation" Williams (Ice Cube), awaits transport to a more secure jail. Besides Ballard, the other cops include the rookie Bashira (Clea Duvall), hotshot and fast talker Jericho (Jason Statham), tough veteran and squad leader Helena (Pam Grier), and reliable soldier Descanso (Liam Waite). Once Ballard and her companions arrive in Shining Canyon, however, they discover that it's a literal ghost town. It seems that an archaeologist team led by Professor Whitlock (Joanna Cassidy) has uncovered an ancient relic at a nearby dig site, unleashing the vengeful spirits of the planet's long-ago warrior inhabitants, which have now possessed the bodies of the human invaders and set about trying to destroy them. After her team is decimated by the Martian specters, Ballard is forced to turn for help to the one person she can't really trust: Williams. Ghosts of Mars screenwriter Larry Sulkis broke into the film business as producer of the satirical commercials in Carpenter's They Live (1988). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Starring:
Ice Cube, Natasha Henstridge, (more)
Director(s):
John Carpenter
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD  |  Blu-ray
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Average Ratings

(19 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Glenda R.

If you like sci-fi action with a bit of attitude, you will like this movie. The female lead is strong, no whining or screaming, which is always a refreshing change, Jason Statham has his usual attitude and Ice Cube shows some fairly good acting. It's no award winner, but John Carpenter isn't about that for the most part. He is all about entertainment. I think this movie is entertaining. If you look for meaning and realism in a movie, better pass this one up.

Yes   |   No


Gary L.

I you like sci-fi movies--particularly the zombie type--than this is definitely worth renting. It has plenty of action and a reasonable storyline.

Yes   |   No


Matt L.

oh, give me a break. I don't get a lot of things in this movie, mostly because this is someone's pipedream of a story and didn't care to explain much about how it comes to be. It's like the director just really wanted to make a film about bloodthirsty and crazed barbarians on Mars and didn't care to explain why they're there or what they are. The bad guys are gross to the point of ridiculous, like they try too hard to make them scary. The constant flashbacks make the story worse. Plenty of holes and things that don't make sense. Henstridge is about the reason this thing gets a half-star because she's hot with a gun. The other star is because Anthrax played the movie's soundtrack. That was the highlight of the movie for me.

Yes   |   No


Jeff H.

This movie felt like a sci-fi remake of Assault On Precint 13.

Yes   |   No


Robert M.

I had no idea Mars was such a mess. It makes me think we should never have sent some of our D-List actors there. Luckily, no one famous was hurt. Oh and Natasha Henstridge, Julia Roberts called, she wants her DNA back.

Yes   |   No


Andrew G.

This movie is just your average zombie, action, sci-fi movie. There isn't much special about it. The action sequences are decent, the gore a bit cheesy, but the zombie/ghost were pretty cool and original. Natasha Henstridge wasn't the best actress and Ice Cube is basically the same character he always plays. The fight sequence music was good as well. One major complaint is the killing off of the supporting cast. Unlike most movies of the same genre most of the supporting cast dies in close proximity to one another, not spread out throughout the whole movie. This was a bit disappointing. Don't rent this expecting anything special, but if you just need something to watch, go for it.

Yes   |   No


Selena E.

I liked the movie. It was good not great and a little graphic. I might watch it again, but I don't have to have it.

Yes   |   No


Timothy B.

Whats for supper? Heads on a spear. Sounds like someone from early Transylvania?

Yes   |   No


John M.

Pretty good movie worth checking out

Yes   |   No


JohnandLisa V.

it's an ok sci. fi.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (19)
     
    Glenda R.

    If you like sci-fi action with a bit of attitude, you will like this movie. The female lead is strong, no whining or screaming, which is always a refreshing change, Jason Statham has his usual attitude and Ice Cube shows some fairly good acting. It's no award winner, but John Carpenter isn't about that for the most part. He is all about entertainment. I think this movie is entertaining. If you look for meaning and realism in a movie, better pass this one up.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Gary L.

    I you like sci-fi movies--particularly the zombie type--than this is definitely worth renting. It has plenty of action and a reasonable storyline.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Matt L.

    oh, give me a break. I don't get a lot of things in this movie, mostly because this is someone's pipedream of a story and didn't care to explain much about how it comes to be. It's like the director just really wanted to make a film about bloodthirsty and crazed barbarians on Mars and didn't care to explain why they're there or what they are. The bad guys are gross to the point of ridiculous, like they try too hard to make them scary. The constant flashbacks make the story worse. Plenty of holes and things that don't make sense. Henstridge is about the reason this thing gets a half-star because she's hot with a gun. The other star is because Anthrax played the movie's soundtrack. That was the highlight of the movie for me.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 19 Reviews
       

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