Mars Attacks! (1996)

	Directed by: Tim Burton	COUNTRY USA GENRE Science Fiction / Comedy NORWEGIAN TITLE Mars Attacks! RUNNING TIME 102 minutes
	Produced by: Tim Burton Larry J. Franco
	Written by: Jonathan Gems Tim Burton

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
President Dale/Art Land	Jack Nicholson
Marsha Dale	Glenn Close	½
Barbara Land	Annette Bening	½
Donald Kessler	Pierce Brosnan
Rude Gambler	Danny DeVito	-
Jerry Ross	Martin Short	½
Nathalie Lake	Sarah Jessica Parker	½
Jason Stone	Michael J. Fox	½
Gen. Decker	Rod Steiger	½
Himself	Tom Jones
Richie Norris	Lucas Haas
Taffy Dale	Natalie Portman
Byron Williams	Jim Brown	-
Louise Williams	Pam Grier	-
Billy Glenn	Jack Black	-
Sharona	Christina Applegate	-
Richie's Dad	Joe Don Baker	-
Maurice, the French President	Barbet Schroder	-

Review

The only thing separating Tim Burton from Roland Emmerich in 1996 was the level of irony and self-mockery. As a clear homage to the sci-fi B-movies from the '50s and '60s, Burton throws himself into all the narrative and thematic clichés he can remember from said period. Whereas Emmerich failed in creating something original with Independence Day, Burton clearly states his disinterest in originality and predilection for nostalgia and excess (best exemplified through one of the world's best in this respect, Mr. Tom Jones). Mars Attacks may well be ignored and forgotten among critics just as quickly as the films upon which it is inspired, but it is nevertheless a fun film that also sends Hollywood a message about not taking itself too seriously.