But is it any good?

Sure, the visuals look stunning, but a movie's made by how good the story is. A review has been released over at CHUD.com that doesn't bode well for this upcoming movie. The reviewer doesn't like the movie AT ALL!

Reprinted with permission from CHUD.com.

A slowly hyped science fiction film about the possible origins of the species on Mars the red Planet set to come out in the earlier part of the new year. It focuses on what a hapless crew of four astronauts inadvertently discover while on a routine survey mission. The film takes place just after the first few successful Mars missions, though the exact timeframe of the movie is never quite clear. For a while there are some futuristic elements present in the film, most of it's content seems to be fairly rooted in the present. As only the display panels on computers and televisions seem to appear futuristic in nature, everything else looks remarkably like what you would see around you in the world today...Just a tad bit cleaner I guess. Anyway the first four Astronauts land on Mars without so much as a hitch, only to discover a huge structure that shouldn't be on Mars as it doesn't appear to be natural in origin. Which of course fuels the astronauts sense of curiosity and leads them to investigate into the strange and unearthly phenomena with devastating results. As everyone but one of the original astronauts is killed in what one would call a very lame dust devil or funnel, that swoops everyone up and tears them apart literally.

   Thus a new crew of astronauts is called in to see what happened on Mars after a distress call is received from the planet, this crew being the new or main focus of the film. As Captain Woody Blake (Tim Robbins) and his wife Terri Blake (Connie Nielsen), alongside Jim McConnell (Gary Sinise) and Phil Ohlmyer (Jerry O'Connell) attempt to successfully pilot their ship to Mars and rescue the original astronauts as they have no idea how many people survived.

   Taking entirely way too long to get inside the Alien construct as well as spending way too much of the film dealing with the supposed emotional ramifications of all the trauma the astronauts have suffered in getting to Mars. Losing crew members, loved ones and friends, again and again and again! Which quite frankly became a major bore within the first 30 minutes of the film! As there is literally one of the most painful to watch scenes just after Tim Robbin's character dies in space, as everyone just sits around in a trance feeling miserable or sorry for themselves. Which simply doesn't work in the way that the film was done, as you really do not feel a thing for any of the film's characters and so when any of them dies you really do not care. A major flaw in the film, especially a science fiction film. For most films to be successful or at least enjoyable, there has to be some sort of connection. Something the audience can relate to, for if it isn't anything for the audience to relate or connect to, then there really isn't any point in watching the film. For why watch a film if you couldn't care less about what was going to happen to the people in it.

   Which is the most definitely the problem in Mission to Mars, as there is no connection to be made at all. Plus to make Matters worse it is a sci fi film, which a lot of people have trouble connecting to to begin with.

   Oh and before I forget, if you do see this film don't forget to bring the crackers. As this film was full of cheese, albeit real American cheese and not that processed Velvetta crap! As there are so many scenes in this film that will literally make you want to vomit, they are so cheesy it make me sick just thinking about it. Just as the fact that Mission to Mars is pretty much a rip off of like 3 other movies. Most notably The Abyss and 2001, right down the soothing voice of the ship's computer and even some of the music. Which I hope Mr. De Palma is ashamed of, and to think we use to live in the same home town."