Mars Attacks! (1996)

Tim Burton's new movie is strangely sedate, which is a polite way 
of saying that it's boring even though it's not supposed to be.  
His elaborate (but never engaging) sci-fi/monster/disaster-movie 
spoof, adapted from the vintage (and violent) trading card set, has 
two things going for it:  fabulous art direction and the director's 
gleefully grotesque sense of humor.  The latter, with its many 
playful sequences of torture and gore, is almost certain to be lost 
on the masses.  Audiences may have cheered INDEPENDENCE DAY, but 
scenes of burning cattle and other crispy critters are sure to send 
them in the direction of other holiday movies.  Obviously Mr. B. 
doesn't care.  He appears willing to do almost anything for a sick 
laugh, including killing off most of his cast.  Almost two-dozen 
stars appear in this one, from Jack Nicholson (in two roles) to 
Sara Jessica Parker to Jim Brown.  Most of their characters are so 
boring, though, that you won't even mind when they're turned into 
toast.  Ack ack ack ack!  (Rated "PG-13"/107 min.)

Grade: B-

Copyright 1996 by Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies in MOVIE HELL: December 8, 1996