Mission to Mars
User Score
6.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 29
  3. Negative: 6 out of 29

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  1. RyanM.
    Sep 4, 2001
    8
    This film depends on everything it has, which is a whole lot.
  2. DonaldG.
    Aug 16, 2001
    10
    Critics of this film want a better script; they want a rational, deeply psychological-verbal script. But Mission To Mars tells its story through the visual framework of camera and editing. I rate it a 10 because I think its a masterpiece of an attempt to get beyond all the human racism of characters with supposedly 'unique' feelings and especially complex psyches. What this film offers us is an imaginative and visually stunning mythos concerning the greater family of life in which the much cherished 'human psychology' obsession is radically down-played. It is to science fiction film what Mozart's Magic Flute is to opera. Congratulations and thanks ...to all concerned and especially Mr. De Palma.… Expand
  3. GustavoH.R.
    Jan 11, 2004
    7
    One of the most underrated - and beautiful sci-fi films of the new century. Exquisitely shot, beautifully scored and suspensful, M2M is a fine entertainment.
  4. grandpajoe6191
    Oct 5, 2011
    7
    I don' really remember the precise details of "Mission to Mars" (I was a kid back then). But I do still remember the wonderful performance of Tim Robbins as well as his prominent sacrifice for his team. Overall, I believe I liked it.
  5. JordiP.
    Jan 18, 2002
    0
    I think this is one of the most boring and most stupid movies I`ve ever seen. If you want to see a movie about Mars then see "Red Planet."
  6. YoonC.
    Sep 23, 2003
    3
    Perhaps this movie can be defended as a postmodernist parody of sci-fi conventions. After all, DePalma isn't one of the most earnest directors around. Still, what comes across is a flaky new age vision of cosmic unity and other such nonsense. The movie rips off 2001, Solaris, and most of all, TV commercials of every stripe; indeed, at times it IS a tv commercial for M&M and Dr. Pepper. There are some good things like the use of lighting in the opening scene; I don't believe I've seen nighttime illuminated so crisply. But, there are outrageous things as well. An astronaut marooned on Mars for months survives on oxygen generated by a tomato plant! One wants to be generous and see the whole thing as intended comedy but it sure doesn't feel like one.… Expand
  7. DerekS.
    Oct 6, 2008
    7
    I felt the movie was underplayed because of the ending. Overall the movie was good, though the acting in some parts was a little wooden. Special effects were top notch and I liked the premise.
  8. PatC.
    Jan 5, 2004
    3
    The special effects can't even begin to save this monstrosity. Like Moulin Rouge, it is so tragic to see such a beautiful set wasted so badly. A dagger in the heart of the space program if our congressmen ever see it. As martian movies go, it's better than Red Planet but not as good as Total Recall. But take a lesson from 2001: If you don't have a good answer to the mystery of the cosmos, don't give any answer at all.… Expand
  9. ColeL.
    Nov 22, 2001
    7
    A sci-fi flick, but it holds itself up straight with everthing it has. Which is not a lot.
  10. GilbertMulroneycakesAndTheSpidersFromMars
    Nov 25, 2002
    7
    Brian de "Now-Great, Now-Rubbish" Palma does it again. Watchable enough.
  11. [Anonymous]
    Nov 23, 2001
    0
    Man did this film Suck.
  12. Tokyochuchu
    Oct 2, 2012
    7
    Mission to Mars is a nicely detailed science-fiction exploration movie. It harkens back to the spirit of 1950's Sci-Fi, where slimy monsters and gun fire was not an automatic box-check and the simple wonderment of the stars alone was enough to carry a movie. That said, it's best not to look for any sense of realism in Mission to Mars, as just like all those classic 50's flicks, things aren't developed much past Flash Gorden. If however, you feel like an Errol Flynn style voyage of discovery, Mission to Mars is a delightful ride.… Expand
  13. SpartanEdge
    Jun 15, 2011
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I think the people who rated this film low,were probably expecting some action film,& dont 'get' what this film is meant to be about,or religious types,who dont their beliefs challenged.This film never claimed to be an action movie.Its a subtle & thought provoking film,that challenges the ideas & presents other theories of what started life on earth.The acting was top notch,& i was gripped from beginning to end.& so what if the Aliens were not bad guys! not every film has to be sinister,& it was refreshing to see the mystery at the end was not sinister at all,but something else.a paragon.… Expand
  14. avatar16
    May 4, 2012
    4
    Brian De Palma au service d'un film de science-fiction, le tout basé sur des faits scientifiques, était un projet des plus alléchants! Malheureusement, il semblerait que le réalisateur soit resté dans la Lune, nous livrant ici un produit bien en-dessous des attentes et de son talent. A commencer par un scénario, plutôt brouillon et un peu trop hollywoodien (sur les bons sentiments), qui empêche de faire croire à ces faits scientifiques (certaines séquences et révélations étant tirées par les cheveux : le ver de sable, la révélation finale, la nature du "son"...). Avec en plus des effets spéciaux inégaux et un Ennio Morricone pas au mieux de sa forme. Mais il faut bien reconnaître que les scènes spatiales sont bien plus intéressantes que les moments sur Mars, superbement réalisées! Et le casting reste honorable. Malgré cela, le film semble incomplet (pour ne pas dire bâclé et parfois grand-guignolesque), se laissant quand même regarder, mais pas avec l'oeil que l'ont aurait souhaité...… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
34 out of 100

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 36 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 36
  3. Negative: 14 out of 36
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    20
    De Palma's film is a mess from its anxious start all the way through to its new-agey end, relying heavily on cribs from Kubrick and Cameron and even the recent "Apollo 13."
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  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    75
    One of the most gorgeous science-fiction movies ever - and probably also one of the most realistic in detail and scientific extrapolation
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  3. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    50
    The picture is equally long on eye-dazzling camera work and New Age sentimentality.
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