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JOHN CARPENTER’S GHOSTS OF MARS

What You Need To Know:

JOHN CARPENTER’S GHOSTS OF MARS is a violent rock and rolling science fiction adventure that pumps out a lot of pointless energy. Natasha Henstridge plays Lt. Melanie Ballard, a veteran policewoman who leads some officers to a mining town to pick up the Red Planet’s most notorious criminal, James “Desolation” Williams, played by Ice Cube. Upon arrival, they learn that a bunch of irate Martian ghosts have escaped a tomb, possessed the bodies of miners and decapitated the heads of those who resist. Surrounded, the lieutenant finds she must rely on the firepower of Williams to escape death. GHOSTS OF MARS then becomes one long, violent battle scene, with little rest for the weary.

The audience of critics screening the GHOSTS OF MARS laughed at the clumsiness of the script and the direction. Everyone seemed bored by the non-stop, dull-witted action scenes. The pounding, monotonous heavy metal music did not help. John Carpenter used to be a talented up-and-comer. Here, however, he annoys the “greats” of cinema. Meanwhile, the extreme violence, ear-splitting sounds, foul language, pagan worldview, occult storyline, and poor execution of GHOSTS OF MARS will surely annoy, the Triune God of the Universe.

Content:

(PaPa, OOO, FeFe, LLL, VVV, N, A, DD, M) Pagan worldview with strong occult storyline where very angry alien ghosts on Mars possess the minds & bodies of human beings to get rid of the “invaders” from Earth, plus planet is run by a “matriarchal” society, in a nod to silly radical feminist ideology; about 65 obscenities & 6 profanities; extreme violence including decapitations implied & depicted, explosions, gunfire, hand-to-hand combat, shotgun blasts, human heads on sticks, stabbings, & possessed human beings pierce & mutilate their bodies, much like something from a Satanic heavy metal rock band; no sex but some sexual comments in dialogue; some naturalistic nudity; alcohol use; drug use; and, stealing & criminal activity not really rebuked.

More Detail:

JOHN CARPENTER’S GHOSTS OF MARS is a violent rock and rolling science fiction adventure that pumps out a lot of pointless energy.

Natasha Henstridge of SPECIES and THE WHOLE NINE YARDS plays Lt. Melanie Ballard, a veteran of the Mars Police Force, circa 2176 A.D. She leads a group of officers to a mining town to pick up the Red Planet’s most notorious criminal, James “Desolation” Williams, played by rapper/actor Ice Cube. Upon arrival, however, they learn that some archeologists have unwittingly unleashed a herd of alien ghosts. The ghosts have possessed the bodies of most of the miners in the town and decapitated the heads of those who resist. In fact, the Martian ghosts are so angry about the human invaders that they rip and tear the flesh of the bodies they possess, until they look like a bunch of refugees from a Satanic, heavy metal, punk rock concert. Surrounded by these ghouls, the lieutenant finds that she must rely on the expertise and firepower of Williams to escape certain death. Thus, GHOSTS OF MARS becomes one long, excruciating, very violent battle scene, with little rest for the weary, much less the wicked.

The audience of critics at the screening of GHOSTS OF MARS were laughing at the clumsiness of the script and the direction of this movie. Everyone seemed bored by the non-stop, dull-witted action scenes. The pounding, monotonous heavy metal music did not help. Furthermore, the device of Martian ghosts haunting and demonically possessing human beings whom they see as invaders is not really that inspired.

In his heyday, director and co-screenwriter John Carpenter was known for his contemporary, clever adoption of the styles of such old Hollywood directors like Howard Hawks (ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK) and Alfred Hitchcock (HALLOWEEN and THE FOG). With help from talented actor Jeff Bridges, Carpenter even made a pop culture icon, if not masterpiece, with STARMAN. Here, however, Carpenter simply annoys the “gods” of cinema. Meanwhile, the extreme violence, ear-splitting sounds, foul language, pagan worldview, occult storyline, and poor execution will surely annoy, if not offend, the Triune God of the Universe.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.