Mars Attacks is not a great film. It's all right, but sad to say some of the comedy
doesn't quite come off. But this is one of those films where if you were lucky
enough to get cast in it you got the opportunityto give out with some shtick or
overact outrageously. Jack Nicholson got to do it twice as he was cast in two
different roles, as president of the United States and as a Las Vegas operator.
Nicholson is served better presidentially. Can you imagine Jack Nicholson in that familiar nasal twang trying to reassure the nation even after the aliens have blown up Congress. It's what people remember best from the film.
Pierce Brosnan is cast as the ever calm scientist who knows his field will provide the answers. All that's left of him is sheer intellect.
My favorite is Martin Short who gets a Martian through White House security. He's Nicholson's press secretary and he sneaks a disguised Martian past White House security. Poor Short thinks he's getting a little something something and is he ever surprised.
I also Paul Winfield who is modeled on General Colin Powell as the emissary President Nicholson sends to greet the Martians on the Nevada desert where they've landed. He's got a nice running rivalry with Rod Steiger who is a general along the lines of Buck Turgidson from Dr. Strangelove.
The whole component doesn't quite gel. But lots of funny bits should keep the viewer interested.
Can you imagine the current president trying to reassure the public after an alien invasion. Not non-Americans, real aliens.
Nicholson is served better presidentially. Can you imagine Jack Nicholson in that familiar nasal twang trying to reassure the nation even after the aliens have blown up Congress. It's what people remember best from the film.
Pierce Brosnan is cast as the ever calm scientist who knows his field will provide the answers. All that's left of him is sheer intellect.
My favorite is Martin Short who gets a Martian through White House security. He's Nicholson's press secretary and he sneaks a disguised Martian past White House security. Poor Short thinks he's getting a little something something and is he ever surprised.
I also Paul Winfield who is modeled on General Colin Powell as the emissary President Nicholson sends to greet the Martians on the Nevada desert where they've landed. He's got a nice running rivalry with Rod Steiger who is a general along the lines of Buck Turgidson from Dr. Strangelove.
The whole component doesn't quite gel. But lots of funny bits should keep the viewer interested.
Can you imagine the current president trying to reassure the public after an alien invasion. Not non-Americans, real aliens.