Tim Burton’s parody of science fiction films from the nineteen fifties features a remarkable ensemble cast. The film, completed in 1996 and released later that year, drew inspiration from the Mars Attacks trading cards of the sixties for its alien characters. It felt like Mad magazine's take on "Independence Day," which had been released about five and a half months earlier; Burton claimed he was unaware of that movie and considered it purely coincidental. Beyond the trading card connection, “Mars Attacks!” also pokes fun at classics such as “The Day the Earth Stood Still” and “War of the Worlds.” It performed poorly in its initial domestic run and didn’t fare much better internationally, though it proved slightly more popular in Europe. It's possible audiences were exhausted after the lengthy (and underwhelming) "Independence Day" or simply found this movie to be silly and uninteresting; either explanation could hold true. Since then, however, it has developed a dedicated following. While the concept is strong and Burton’s signature production quality shines through, the initial viewing can be somewhat disappointing and slow-paced, especially in the first half. Nevertheless, the abundant creative energy and an exceptional cast make it worthwhile to watch again, as its appeal grows with repeated viewings—provided you are in the right frame of mind to appreciate it. There’s a satirical element where humans are mocked while the Martians enjoy their conquest. The film also includes entertaining scenes like the Martians knocking over the famous Easter Island statues like bowling pins and offers amusing commentary on country music toward the end. The impressive cast includes Jack Nicholson (in a double role), Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger, Tom Jones, Lukas Haas, Jack Black, Natalie Portman, Jim Brown, Pam Grier, Joe Don Baker, Lisa Marie, Christina Applegate, and several others. Janice Rivera stands out as Cindy, the casino girl, though Burton could have cast more effectively in that role given the resources available. I particularly enjoyed how Jim Brown and Tom Jones eventually become central characters; the former portrays an ex-boxer entertaining tourists dressed as a Pharaoh at a Las Vegas casino, while the latter plays himself with humor. If you find yourself struggling with the first half of the movie, it’s worth sticking around because it improves considerably in the second half, or perhaps it simply takes some getting used to Burton's unusual style and the world he has created. The film is 1 hour and 45 minutes long and was filmed primarily in Washington D.C., Kansas, and Las Vegas, with additional scenes shot in Inglewood, Los Angeles for the donut shop, among other locations. GRADE: B

Source on TMDB