A Guide to Apocalyptic Cinema by Charles P. Mitchell

Author:Charles P. Mitchell
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2008-09-04T21:54:00+00:00

Mars Attacks! will gain status in the future as a unique cult film, an affectionate memento of a bygone film era grafted with caricatures of more recent sociological trends. Human gullibility can be seen as a serious undercurrent to the satire. Humanity is unable to cope with the threat largely because they refuse to believe in it. When Glenn Norris sees his son dissolved by the alien ray gun, he states, "It didn't happen." When President Dale is called by the French president, who just signed a deal with the Martians, Dale immediately knew that it was a phony ploy, yet moments later he naively seems to believe that he and the ambassador can "just get along." Another example of gullibility is the Martian's use of the translator, with which they broadcast the message, "Do not run. We are your friends," while murdering people left and right. The shadows of the Soviet Gulag and the German concentration camps are clearly present here. The apocalyptic threat of total human genocide remains powerful, even when cloaked as comedy. In many instances, Mars Attacks! takes chances and does not play it safe. It is undeniably a unique masterpiece and one of the most significant satires in the genre.

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