The Martian Chronicles
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Movie Reviews of The Martian Chronicles
Movie Review: Excellent Cult film for fans of TRUE science fiction, not FX You have to watch it more than once though
Summary: 5 Stars
I just got through watching this movie(series there off) for the umteenth time and love it more each passing viewing of it. You will think it's cheezy if you just came in from the other room and see a bit of it on your way out, but if you have the attention span of anyone older than three you can fully appriciate it. The WOW! factor isn't there but it is more interesting in dialogue. The Gee Whiz factor would be more appropriate here. Rock Hudson's acting abliity is what made it work, but even Darren McGavin and all the rest were just as good(just less prestige with them). The characters were likeable and some down right touching, in particular the Wife and daughter(despite being robots) of the retired General of the Zues project(Hathaway) And of course Friz Weaver is wonderful as the wondering priest on a mission. Roddy McDowel his side kick as the clunky samwise to Frodo Baggins. No martain was protrayed by McDowell but your made to think so, as both of the actors who played the males(young and old thier are different ones with dialouge if you haven't noticed) sound like him. The best part of the movie is the martians and they are not cheezy like the rest of the FX. Although MY version was a recording from the Sci-fi channel and was mutilated beyond beleif and plot holes were evident in why the "last martian" was a ghost and the opening scene he was not. Spendor Was he or not? Never revealed. But Sci-fi sux and this is the full uncut version here on Amazon and I HOPE is the orignally transmitted version with more dailogue detail with Vistal and the androids after the creator(Hathaway) dies as I remember when I was nine/ten or so. There is also a scene(not on sci-fi) with two other androids who come in contact with Vistral and "The Hathaways". I don't remember much more than they were more Bernadette Peters fawning vanaty queens who land in another rocket and challeng, yet again, Vistral's vain character with the beauty of women. Insidently, Roddenberry's "Usher II" is not included but the closest I can determine, "Captain Black"(Nicholas Hammond) is the one who suffers from that. In the opening book "The Expeditions" The second and third expidetions(Zeus II and III) were interesting and hardly boring to watch, Spendor Incodent(Zeus III) the best of them. The first called "Zeus"(expiditon craft to Mars) was pointless and did not open the story very well. "Commander York" had no meaning beyond getting killed. his single crewman had no dialogue at all. How he took off(from Earth) in a pod instead of a rocket is beyond me. Otherwise, "The Expeditions" was the best part of the movie and gave it a good launch for the other two.
Despite what sum people say, the leisure suits were more belivable than space suits and glitz because it was a breathable atmosphere(in ths tale) as more artistic and less rigid science. and the uniforms weren't that bad, they were practical for survay and explore missions(in atmospheric condiions such as this).. The music or muzak only reflected the clothes, FX and times(1980) and I thought went well for a retro buff like me. The only thing that bothered me was the "bar music" which was the same ole disco tune in EVERY bar on Mars, how stupid is that? The insidental muzak was good however(if you like funk) and sometimes haunting. the total I heard was four tunes(and the bar muzak which was not incodental but IN the bars). Meyres got tired of the network execs not paying him I guess. Also remember this is a low almost NO bugdet film and some poeople are too spoiled to like it( or admit they did back then.) It was the Networkers' fault, not the producers or director. Mathison is masterful. If you are a Star Wars buff BUT watched sci-fi before it, you'll luv this tri-chronical trilogy series(based on Bradbury's epich multi-book set). Also Lenard Nimoy narrates an unabridged story of it more on the full chonicles of books.
Movie Review: A real classic, and true to the book
Summary: 5 Stars
When I saw this as a young lad, I was blown away, I read the book and was equally impressed, then I watched the TV series again recently and although it had dated badly, I was really impressed just how well the spirit of the book had been captured by the min-series. A lot of love and care had gone into it, and the scenes particularly featuring the Martians, and their architecture were really well done. From the senseless slaughter of York in the first expedition, through the subsequent visits. Ok, some elements had been altered and changed to fit the format of the series, but the overall essence of the book was not lost in the slightest. How many times can you say that a much loved book has been bought to the big or small screen with so much authenticity? I particularly like the bit featuring Spender and his battle with Rock Hudsons expedition members, who have desecrated the dying planet.
Roddy McDowell also puts in a lovely came as a priest seeking to integrate the Martians into The Church. Its wonderfully acted and sensitively realised. I can only think that Bradbury must have turned into a miserable old sod in his old age not to have seen the effort that went into the imagining of his masterwork.
Thoroughly recommended to all serious sci-fi fans.
Movie Review: Excellent adaptation of the book stories by scriptwriter Richard Matheson
Summary: 5 Stars
The story is more of a series of progressive short stories of the attempts to colonize Mars. Each landing encounters a different situation. Aside form the technical aspects of the story and the cheep effects of the film the real purpose of the movie is the message. I will not repeat the message here, as this is why you need to watch the series.
I found the ending satisfying but wondering if there should not be more.
Ray Bradbury is not as thrilled with the mini-series, calling it booooring. Nevertheless, you have to expect a few adaptations if you are going to have a relevant mini-series.
This may seem like a vehicle for out of work actors. Yet I can assure you that each actor plaid his/her part well enough that you are looking at the character not the actor.
Be aware that the version I watched was complete but the first two parts were on side A and B of the same DVD. Part 3 was on a separate DVD. The good thing was there were no coming attractions to work around with some fancy button pushing. The only thing missing was a voice over commentary that we have come to expect.
Gargoyles ~ Bernie Casey
Movie Review: Retro homage to the Ray Bradbury classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes, I must certainly admit that the special effects here may be rather cheesy by today's standards, and some elements of Ray Bradbury's original script may have been changed a little, but despite its flaws this is an unforgettable production that skillfully weaves together the various short stories from the original book into what amounts to the acts of a dramatic play, centering around the Col. Wilder character played by Rock Hudson. Its main focus is on the tragic consequences, to both humans and Martians, when two civilizations collide after man's attempted colonization of Mars. The Martians, when they appear, lend an air of mystery and eeriness to the saga, since one never is sure when they will appear next, what their intentions are, or even whether they are real or ghosts. Perhaps my favorite scene is where an eccentric restaurant owner named "Sam Parkhill" is so spooked by one that comes to visit him, that he shoots the visitor, then tries to get away in a relic Martian "sand ship" when he thinks the others are out to get him.
Although it does not always follow the original script to the letter, this is a very imaginative adaptation of Ray Bradbury's work. Highly recommended.
Movie Review: one of the three movies influence me
Summary: 5 Stars
excuse the grammar and the spelling
anyway the other two is star wars of course and dune. being a gen xer who grew up with pre star wars sci fi movies, i hate the comparions to star wars you can. it is a pre star wars tv movie series.i resent the comments by lunchat8 it was not mocking america fool it is about a civilation bent on colonization seeing the stranger or alien less than. i like martians because they got pass nationalism and us and them mentality still is a problem with you non handicap people have. using every part of a resource and using it wisely or living spiritually in a joyous happy and free commmunity is left wing oh boy.you normals need to learn that solutions to the problems of life lay with in and not without. the last statement is from the pc game anyway. i perfer the martians over people here on this planet because you have not learned nothing from last 100 year.you are incurious,egotistictly,lazy, and always seeking answers outside of you. the whole 70's thing i truely miss perfer it over kill the infidels,happy comsuming, jeebus chris is the answer but, bs now