 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Mars Attacks!
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 1996
Common Sense Media says
Alien-invasion satire for older tweens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know this movie was based on a notorious series of trading cards that were censored for gruesomeness, and director Tim Burton doesn't hold back: abundant cartoony violence includes people being turned into skeletons by a death ray, vivisection (and whimsical re-assembly) of living humans, Martians' brains swelling and bursting, and cruelty to (computer-generated) animals. In addition the filmmakers have added some prostitutes to the blend. There is a subtle anti-authoritarian tone that kids have the smarts to save the world after all the annoying adults are wiped out.
What's the story?
MARS ATTACKS! begins with a fleet of Martian flying saucers encircling Earth. While a blustery general (Rod Steiger) warns the self-aggrandizing US president (Jack Nicholson) not to trust the grotesque little aliens, a scientist (Pierce Brosnan) assures that creatures so intelligent could not possibly mean us any harm. The Earth's nations try to give the creatures a friendly welcome, to no avail. The Martians actually are sadistic varmints who enjoy faking out the humans with peace overtures, then opening fire with grisly death weapons. Eventually the Martians overrun Washington D.C. and declare victory, but their triumph is short-lived. Young Richie (Lukas Haas is trying to save his beloved grandmother from the Martians when he accidentally discovers that the old lady's favorite record -- Slim Whitman yodeling "Indian Love Call" -- makes the Martians' brains explode. If Richie can spread the news quickly enough, humankind may be saved.
Is it any good?
Director Tim Burton's dark sense of humor makes Mars Attacks! a must for the sort of young viewer who would rather read Famous Monsters of Filmland than Sports Illustrated. Remember "Sid," the twisted neighbor boy from Toy Story who liked to torture his playthings? This is his sort of alien-invasion film. Adults can enjoy it too, if they don't mind the subversive tone. But with an all-star cast and too many subplots, the movie threatens to turn into a collection of sketch-bits rather than a coherent whole.
Though the Martians are doubtlessly the villains here, you do get a sneaky anti-establishment message -- that the extraterrestrial holocaust will have a positive side effect of exterminating corrupt and worthless authority figures while sparing the cool kids and the few adults who listen to them.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the differences between this movie and Independence Day, and ask kids which one they enjoyed more, and why.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
If you like violence this is the movie for you!
This is a VERY violent movie. Many say that language is not an issue BUT it is...
Do you know what those Martians are saying?
Who knows.
I have seen lots of violent movies and on the violence meter this is WAY up there probably broke the scale.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
This will make kids laugh more than it will scare them
The first time I really checked this out was before going to bed and I wanted to stop since I was about to go to bed but when I watched it all the way throug, I lauged. A race of martian aliens decide to invade earth. They have normal sized bodies but have huge heads. They try to invade a few times, each time disentagrating humans with a gun that zaps people and vaporizes their skin, leaving behind a red or green skeleton. This is just a movie full of crazy slapstick antics. For the 10 and up crowd.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
UGH!!!!...
I remember surfing through TV channels , and we found this , so we watched it. My dad thought it was funny , and I thought it was horrible!!!!!! The violence! THE STUPIDNESS! I think that people who make stories of bad aliens are pretty dumb , because nobody said aliens , or things from another planet [ well , thier has to be some life in the other millions of planets!] had to be mean. I really suggest ET instead!
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
i lost six brain cells watching this
after i watched this ime gonna be scared of freakin aliens for the rest of my freakin life
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Just plain bad.
I love a good movie. I enjoy the entire experience. But, I HATE THIS MOVIE. Beside the fact that it is very violent, it is just a bad movie. The story is awful and the humor is childish. This is the only movie I have ever walked out on.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Not suitable for under 15s, really. It's violent and too scary.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Great Classic Sci-fi comedy
This is THE movie. The first time my parents had it on, I wanted to flee the room because i had a friend over for the night. Now, it is the funniest Alien comedy ive seen. There is violence, language, smoking, and some sexual stuff but any kid 10 and up could watch this because they will be laughing more than they will be screaming.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
August 8, 2010
AGE
I think it was fine. I think the younger boys crowd would enjoy this movie, probably because of the violence. But, I rated it 11+ because I think it would be APPROPRIATE for that age. There was constant violence. I think it was really goofy. Some violent-loving kids wont like the build-up to the violence, but there gonna have to deal with it. I don't think there was any positive message to it. Parents probably wouldn't want their kids to see this movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Mars Attacks!
A classic comedy that the family will laugh and enjoy. The graphics arnt 2010, but its highly entertaining none the less.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment |
| Director: | Tim Burton |
| Cast: | Glenn Close, Jack Nicholson, Lukas Haas, Natalie Portman, Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Jessica Parker |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 106 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 12, 1996 |
| DVD release date: | June 4, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | fantasy violence, sexual themes |
Review It
Register now to save reviews and advice articles to your personal lists!
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
