Details
Movie Description
In the future, pollution and overpopulation are making the Earth uninhabitable. Humanity's only hope is to colonize the planet Mars by using algae to produce oxygen, but when the algae mysteriously disappear, a group of astronauts are sent to Mars on a mission to learn why. The spaceship, led by Commander Kate Bowman (Carrie-Anne Moss), is preparing to land when a sudden emergency forces her to crash-land on the planet without supplies or equipment. The survivors, including systems engineer Gallagher (Val Kilmer) and scientists Burchenal (Tom Sizemore) and Pettengil (Simon Baker), have to figure out how to return to their ship while also learning the truth about the missing algae. As if things weren't bad enough, they have to avoid AMEE, the ship's malfunctioning robot who is trying to kill them all.
RED PLANET is an exciting science fiction thriller based on scientific facts, including theoretical notions on how to "terraform" Mars to become inhabitable. The film also provides information about the nuts and bolts of basic space travel. Kilmer and company avoid science fiction clichés to make their Martian adventures more believable, creating a saga of survival under incredible conditions.
Film Notes
Theatrical release: November 10, 2000.
Filmed on location in Jordan and Australia. The Australian locations were near Coober Pedy, the same site used for the filming of PITCH BLACK, and the Jordanian locations were the same used for LAWRENCE OF ARABIA.
RED PLANET is the directorial debut of Antony Hoffman, whose previous experience had been in commercials. He spent months at Houston's Johnson Space Center doing research for this film.
This film was originally titled MARS, but that was changed to avoid confusion with MISSION TO MARS. RED PLANET's release date was also pushed back from spring 2000 to avoid competition.
Much of the filming took place under sweltering conditions; the spacesuits had built-in cooling systems to keep the actors from overheating.
First-time director Anthony Hoffman was given editing advice by directors Tony Scott and Luc Besson.
There were 750 special effects shots in the film.
Industry Reviews
"...Well manufactured and attractively shot, it has a believable storyline..."
Box Office - p.67 - Bridget Byrne
"...Arresting cinematography....The film is technically adroit. The spaceship and Martian surface have the true grit one imagines space travel a half-century from now might be like..."
Hollywood Reporter - p.10-81 - Kirk Honeycutt
"...Val Kilmer is convincing..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (11/10/2000)
"...It's a glorified B movie in the best sense of the term..."
Entertainment Weekly - Michael Sauter (03/30/2001)
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