MARTIAN MISFIRE
Michael Butts | Martinsburg, WV USA | 09/23/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"MARS is one of those direct to video releases that neither offends or surprises. Martial arts honcho Olivier Gruner (mysteriously minus his French accent) stars as a "Keeper," a futuristic kind of lawman, who comes to Mars to investigate the suspicious murder of his keeper brother. Of course, the mining colony is corrupt as all get out, with Alex Hyde-White mugging his way through the role of the company digging up something called Silex, which supposedly is the fuel of the future for planet Earth. Unfortunately, the Silex is causing some kind of rare disease and killing off most of the Martian population. Shari Belafonte resurfaces after years of screen absence as the dedicated doctor who discovers this. Gruner picks up a sidekick in obnoxious Gabriel Dell, who never knows when to shut up. Add Scott Valentine who mysteriously was chosen to play an elderly Irish former keeper, whose accent is almost as bad as his makeup.
The action sequences are clumsy but Gruner knows how to kick butt.
A passable time passer, but don't expect Star Wars."
Bad acting ... worse story
theButterfly | Austin, Texas USA | 07/18/2003
(1 out of 5 stars)
"It's stuff like this that gives science fiction a bad name. No wonder there isn't more of it.Of course the acting and the story aren't the only things lacking. The special effects also suck and the action sequences are badly coreographed.Basically, it's just a bunch of people pretending to shoot each other and beat each other up, with none of the advantages of a good movie."
Slow moving Sci-fi/Martial arts action
matt givens | Carlow, Carlow Ireland | 02/25/2001
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Its not the worst movie in the world.Oliver Gruner acting is one of his best to date as he dosen't say much.....thankfully.Its a good buy for Martial arts fans but Sci-fi fans are left expecting more."