The Martian Chronicles
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Movie Reviews of The Martian Chronicles
Movie Review: Ray Bradbury: Super-Genius
Summary: 4 Stars
The fact that Richard Matheson did the teleplay for his old buddy Ray Bradbury's novel left something awkward to be said. The fact that they have been longtime friends should have given Matheson an insight into The Martian Chronicles from knowing the man who had written it. Not so, apparently. The subtle changes from Bradbury's novel are there and they're glaring. Hmmmm.
Let's look at television in 1980. Still expanding. Still trying to find its limits and its leverage. The fact that this was a mini-series that spread over three nights makes it a curious dinosaur in its uncut form at four hours and fifty-three minutes spread over two discs. The actors are great and dated of the time when it was produced. Rock Hudson and Bernadette Peters and Roddy MacDowall.....etc. The special FX are just that....special. Kinda like they were suggested by a 'special' person with a 'special' vision. (Someone who rode the small bus to school, if you catch my drift). Episode one drags here and there with the daring space scenes that go on for way too long. (At least in 1980, they seemed daring).
Overall, the essence of Bradbury's vision is still there. A little maimed and a little convoluted, but still somewhat intact and that is what makes this film a keeper. I was ten when this movie of the week came out and I remember watching it and being awed, maybe a little bored too. Now I watch and I giggle at the FX and I glare at Matheson's twistings of the tale and I take it for what it is. An attempt at bringing Bradbury to life. And for that I have to say it is watchable. We get our Bradbury any way we can, small doses or large, over the counter or under the table.
Dig it!
Movie Review: How well does it hold up?
Summary: 4 Stars
Being just out of my teens when the Martian Chronicles was released, I had always remembered the impact of probably the first sci-fi mini-series I had ever seen. Having shared the memory of the program with my daughter and her friends but unable to find it in any video store led me to Amazon for an order.
The Chronicles is less of a story than it's a series of short stories following life on Mars during the initial manned exploration and the colonization projected for the mid 1990's through 2007, shortly after mankind blew Earth away. Although they're inter-related by the colonization theme, several of the stories can stand alone so you can skip and jump a little.
The series requires a little suspension of belief to get passed the ideas that you can walk in regular clothing & breathe okay with just a little effort on Mars. BUT once you're past that it's still a pretty good collection of tales. The author shines through with shades of Star Trek in the ironic side stories of the stranded astronomer and with Bernadette Peter's episode. In both, the endings are pure Bradbury.
The concluding scene still has the impact of the original too, but it does seem like it takes a little longer to get there. Production standards and timing has changed a good deal since the 70s, so hitting the 1x fast forward button during the panoramic scenes doesn't hurt at all. It even helps the musical (wind-flute?) backdrop a little.
All in all, it's worth the effort both to see a classic author and a classic of sci-fi. Maybe they'll re-do it as the Europa Chronicles in the near future!
Movie Review: Not Scientifically Correct ... But Tir Is Still Captivating
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the 1980 mini-series based on the Ray Bradbury novel on 2 DVDs and is nearly 300 minutes long.
If you can get past the weak special effects, scientific errors, and obviously incorrect timeline, it is an interesting and captivating story despite all that.
Mars is apparently a lot more hospitable than we were led to believe as astronauts walk about the planet in unprotected leisure suits. Large fluffy clouds, occasional rain storms, and canals (yes...they are back), also defy current science of what Mars is like.
In this story the first manned flight to Mars also takes place in 1999!!! In 2004 we are not even close to this milestone. But it's not a documentary and in 1980 after the Apollo successes, perhaps the Mars flight seemed almost imminent.
Sci-fi films should perhaps avoid hard dates as they really age the production once the time is past.
But Rock Hudson, Darren McGavin, Bernie Casey, Roddy McDowell, Fritz Weaver and others give good performances as humans trying to understand, adapt, and live in a new alien environment.
And most importantly, they try to coexist with the native inhabitants who, of course, rightly regard them as alien invaders.
The video transfer is acceptable and the electronic music score is interesting. No extras at all unless you count scene selection and subtitles.
The ending seems to fizzle somewhat but may appeal to some.
Certainly worth having for science-fiction fans and especially so if you like Ray Bradbury and/or Mars (or Tir as the Martians refer to it).
Movie Review: Damn good, despite itself.
Summary: 4 Stars
The first thing to note before viewing this DVD, the special effects are just plain awful... but fortunately are restrained after the first episode. This is one series that would benefit greatly from some CGI re-rendering a la "Star Wars". I think it could be done easily.
The second thing to note... the script is not entirely the book it's taken from. It cuts and embellishes here and there, but many chapters from the book that are removed are sort of hinted at. Unfortunately, the movie is long and can drag for some people.
On to the good stuff... the movie really survives beside itself mainly due to the performances. Bernie Casey is outstanding as Spender... he shows a real love for the dialogue. Also, Barry Morse (of Space 1999) really makes you feel for his character of Hathaway. Rock Hudson, is Rock Hudson ('nuf said).
The production design stands up to today, the artistic work on the Martian cities and artifacts benefits the production, especially in the martian home sequence (along with the delectable Maggie Wright). The makeup effects and costuming are quite good (except for the leisure suits). The score is elegantly done by Stanley Myers, but at times shows too much emphasis on electronics bordering on disco.
Overall, the series is for fans of the book or 70's sci-fi in general. I would have liked to have seen a behind-the-scenes featurette and some extras.
Movie Review: Decent escapist fare...
Summary: 4 Stars
I saw this when it was first broadcast and then forgot it. At Christmas of 1994 I was visiting my brother and his wife in Alaska and she was reviewing a VHS copy for her job (she worked a video distribution company and TMC had apparently just been released on tape). I watched it with her and the combination of a wonderful Christmas setting (4 feet of snow!) and a warm house full of holiday cooking smells was in marked contrast to the desert planet setting of the story. Despite the poor special effects (you could see the lines lowering the model rocketships "descending" to the Martian surface!), I enjoyed the moody setting and the actors, for the most part, did the best they could with the script. Also it looked like there were filters on the cameras to darken the appearance of the Martian atmosphere a bit which helped "suspend my disbelief." Even though it did drag in spots, when it was finally released on DVD I had enough nostalgia left over from the '94 viewing that I eagerly snatched it up. I liked the score too. 4 stars may be a bit much but I'm a forgiving critic.
Would also welcome a redux with modern FX if it has the same eerie "feel."