Red Planet attacks Earth

It's off to Mars again in this year's second film about Earth's little red neighbor. Red Planet is the story of a future Earth that has become so overpopulated and polluted that it is only a matter of time before all the planet's ecosystems begin to die out. Man's only hope lies in a last ditch effort to terraform the planet Mars. The film begins by sending genetically engineered algae to grow on the surface of Mars to start producing oxygen. Eventually, the algae begins to vanish from existence and oxygen levels drop off. A team of astronauts and scientists are sent to investigate this mysterious happening. The mission goes smoothly until the group reaches Mars, but then everything begins to go downhill. An incredible blast of energy encompasses the surface of Mars and severely damages the crew's vessel. In a desperate attempt to survive without the ship's captain, the crew begin their Mars landing, when the real trouble begins. The group soon finds themselves without food or water. As they struggle to find a way off Mars, they also search for an answer as to what has happened. The film stars the talents of Carrie-Anne Moss as Commander Kate Bowman, leader of the mission; Val Kilmer as Robby Gallagher, a technician; and Tom Sizemore as Dr. Quinn Burchenal, a geneticist and botanist. Coincidentally, Carrie-Anne Moss plays virtually the same character she does in The Matrix. The only difference is that instead of spoon-feeding Keanu Reeves through his troubles, she offers emotional support to Val Kilmer. Though the role may not offer much diversity for Moss, she does play the persona quite well. Not particularly unlike some of his past roles, such as Montgomery in The Island of Dr. Moreau, Kilmer plays the role of a wisecracking good guy very well. The effects in the film are nothing to write home about, but are still impressive nonetheless. They provide some much-needed eye candy to the beginning of the film. The story is not as farfetched as one might think. The writers must be commended for setting the story nearly 60 years in the future without showing impossibly advanced tools and vehicles, not counting the cat-like robot of course. Despite a less than satisfactory ending, Red Planet is worth seeing for anyone that was a fan of The Matrix or anyone who enjoys action packed space flicks. However, if moviegoers expect another awe-inspiring drama in line with 2001: A Space Odyssey, they will most likely be disappointed. Rating: B-