1996 spoofRating: 10/20
Plot: See title.
I really wanted to like this movie when I watched it back in '96 or '97. And I really wanted to like it now since I've seen lots of the sorts of movies this pays homage to since I first saw it. There are things I like about it. The impressive cast (pretty much everybody but Ricardo Montalban) enthusiastically works with really really bad material. The aliens look really cool, and there are some other nifty visual effects that brought to mind a whole lot of those B-movies that Burton is emulating. The problem is that the film just isn't funny at all, and Burton's tendency to go a little (or a lot) overboard is on full display here. The Sarah Jessica Parker/Pierce Brosnan subplot is especially stupid, and there are other characters who are introduced, developed somewhat, and then discarded for apparently no reason. Other than President Jack, I just didn't find a character in this mess to cling to, and by the time Burton decided to completely abandon all attempts at a coherent plot and go for a half an hour of mindless explosions instead, I just lost interest in the whole thing. And why wasn't Johnny Depp in this? That guy's dreamy!
I'm trying to figure out how this got a 12 after reading your review. I saw this in a theatre when it first came out, and absolutely hated it. I have supressed all details of why I hated it, and am only left with vague anger and bitterness. I do remember thinking that this movie might be the worst acted, stupidest film ever to feature so much talent, homage or not.
ReplyDeleteA 12? How is that possible? A 5 is more like it.
You might be right. I could be more than a tad high with my rating. Maybe I'm giving I'm handing it the 12 because I know there's still 'Planet of the Apes' and 'Sleepy Hollow' to come from Mr. Burton.
ReplyDeleteThis guy's career is so frustrating to me. With the exception of Sweeney Todd and Alice (haven't seen Alice but don't have high expectations), I've hated nearly everything this guy's touched since 'Ed Wood,' a movie I absolutely love. And I love 'Edward Scissorhands' and 'Pee Wee'...how's this guy continue to make such crappy movies after starting out so well?
Interesting that I should like Burton's port-"Mars Attacks!" work more than you.
ReplyDeleteSleepy Hollow- 14
Big Fish -16
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- 15
Corpse Bride -16
Sweeney Todd -15ish
Ed Wood is terrific and an 18.
I always forget about 'Big Fish'...it's a 14. I was a little disappointed with it, probably because I had already read the book. I remember the movie being overly sentimental and forced.
ReplyDelete'Charlie' was just unnecessary, loud and obnoxious. Probably a 12. 'Sleepy Hollow' bored me and made me angry because I thought it looked kind of cool in the previews. Maybe a 12? I remember being bored by 'Corpse Bride' and surprised that I didn't like it since I like stop-motion so much.
You forgot to mention 'Planet of the Apes'...
That comment's so nice that I posted it twice!
ReplyDeleteAh Tim Burton....my favorite director to completely destroy a great premise.
ReplyDeleteI give Mars Attacks an 8. Its a cool idea destroyed by a complete lack of any real story and over the top acting and scenes.
Other Tim Burton movies...rated by Barry.
Pee Wees Big Adventure...18
Batman...................12
Batman Returns...........10
Edward Scissorhands......12 (Pure treacle)
Planet of the Apes.......8
Alice in Wonderland......10
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory..13 (Amazingly enough I have seen this movie about five times, since it comes onto the Disney Channel seemingly weekly. Each time I get a little more pissed at it that it could have been great, and instead was mediocre.)
Sleepy Hollow.......14
Sweeny Todd.........13
Big Fish............12 (Bored the living hell out of me.)
BeetleJuice.......14
ED WOOD!!!!...19 and it really should be a 20. His only fully realized film. Plot, characters, acting and keeping Burtons desperate need for weirdness in context OF the movie.
You know, I just realized, that even though I always feel kind of blah about Burton movies, I have seen everything he has ever directed except for Nine and Stainboy since he started making major motion pictures. I think thats more a problem with me than him.
He didn't direct '9'...
ReplyDeleteI'm changing my rating for 'Mars' to a 10. You guys are making my 12 seem WAY too generous. I'm allowed to change my ratings because it's my blog and I can do anything I want.
Damn you are right..he did not direct Nine....it was Corpse Bride I was thinking of that I have not seen.
ReplyDeleteSo since Pee Wees Big Adventure I have seen 13 of 15 Tim Burton movies. I dont think I have seen a higher percentage of any other directors films. Damn that sucks.
Maybe Spielberg...hmmm...gonna have to check that, since I believe I have seen every full length theater release he has done. I even managed to sit through Munich without falling asleep more than twice.