4K Ultra HD Review – Mars Attacks! (1996)

      Mars Attacks!, 1996.

      Directed by Tim Burton.

      Featuring Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger, Tom Jones, Lukas Haas, Natalie Portman, Jim Brown, Lisa Marie, and Sylvia Sidney.

      SYNOPSIS:

      If you’re a fan of Mars Attacks!, like I am, this release is likely a must-have. The film looks impressive due to a new 4K remaster, and although the bonus materials are minimal for a movie celebrating its 30th anniversary, they surpass what has previously been available on disc. There is no Blu-ray included, which is typical for Warner Bros. lately, but a code for a digital copy is provided.

      Mars Attacks! has its critics, but I am not among them. Directed by Tim Burton and released in 1996, the film boasts a large cast and a plot inspired by a 1962 Topps trading card series that created some parental uproar at the time.

      Jack Nicholson stars in dual roles as U.S. President James Dale and Galaxy Casino owner Art Land in Las Vegas. The main characters also include: First Lady Marsha Dale (Glenn Close); First Daughter Taffy Dale (Natalie Portman); Art’s wife, Barbara Land (Annette Bening); pretentious professor Donald Kessler (Pierce Brosnan); Donald’s romantic interest and talk show host, Nathalie Lake (Sarah Jessica Parker); news reporter Jason Stone (Michael J. Fox), who is Nathalie’s boyfriend; among others.

      The narrative is somewhat intricate, as many stars need one or two significant scenes each, but the early computer-generated special effects largely hold up (though there are a few noticeably outdated moments), and I enjoy the chaos and absurdity that ensues during the attack, commencing with a humorous misunderstanding.

      While Mars Attacks! appeared highly satirical 30 years ago, it now feels relevant as if it could realistically unfold if Martians made landfall in Pahrump, Nevada today. President Dale was a caricature then, but seems quite restrained compared to the current occupant of the White House in 2026, and the destruction of Las Vegas serves as a fitting metaphor for the apparent decline of the gaudy, hollow American empire.

      This film features a vibrant, comic book-like color scheme, and these hues have been captured in a new remaster based on a 4K scan of the original film negative. The colors leap off the screen as intended, and the original film grain has been retained, creating a delightful trip down memory lane to theaters in the mid-90s.

      However, only a 4K Ultra HD disc is included here; a code for a digital copy is provided as well. Unfortunately, this film lacked substantial bonus features on Blu-ray and DVD, aside from a few trailers and an isolated score track. The two new short featurettes created for this edition do not significantly enhance its home video experience.

      The extras run just under 20 minutes combined and are titled Looking Back on Mars Attacks! and Ack! Ack! Aesthetic. The first is exactly what it claims to be, while the latter offers behind-the-scenes content, including glimpses of some unused Martian props. Several individuals involved with the film are interviewed in the extras, though Burton and the cast are notably absent (which isn’t entirely surprising).

      Perhaps a superior special edition will eventually emerge, but if the film’s 30th anniversary wasn’t sufficient to prompt Warner Bros. to allocate a suitable budget for Mars Attacks!’s home video release, it’s unclear what would be. Ack! Ack!

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Brad Cook