Nicolas F. Costoglou Ghosts of Mars is one of John Carpenters strangest movies, but also one of his most fascinating, mostly because the things most people seem to hate about it, are actually the reason why it works in his unique way.The most unique part of the film is the storytelling itself, while watching the movie you MUST keep in mind, that we get to see the story, told from the perspective of the only survivor, who is on drugs for most of the movie. That means that all could be just part of our protagonists trip. Besides that, all the things that happened without her being present are obviously just how she imagines them to be (this is also the reason for the odd scene-transitions).That's said, is the story even worth telling? In my opinion: Yes, because it's damn entertaining. After watching it the second time i liked it even more, because i now understood how the storytelling worked, and got all the Carpenter references, and this movie has lots of them, which is why it's even more fun if you are a fan of his work and understand what he's going for.But now to the technical part: This movie is beautifully shot, with a great understanding of how to use the anamorphic lens and lighting, which are things we are used to see in a John Carpenter flick, and capture really well the atmosphere and look of a lived in, but abandoned Mars station.The editing is very experimental and (like i said) effectively represents the story structure and the state of mind of our protagonist.Also the practical effects and make up is helmed perfectly by some of the great masters, like Howard Berger, Robert Kurtzman and Greg Nicotero.The visual effects do their job and nothing more, which is also due to a tiny budget, but Carpenter always made movies which looked way bigger than they actually where at the time, and this movie used way less CGI as most of the other movies at the time, which were in a state of experimenting with what they could do. But the CGI effects used in this film (like the first very good looking shot of Mars) works really well, the only downside are some obvious greens screen shots, but there are just one or two to be seen.One of the most entertaining aspects for me are the great choreographed and executed action sequences. The fights are perfectly captured, no quick cuts, or shaky cam to be seen, just the actors and stuntman kicking serious ass. One of my favourite shots in the film is one when all of our heroes fight against a horde of enemies in a narrow corridor. The camera is steady and we just watch them participating in a very real looking fight.The other most entertainingly awesome aspect of this film is the insanely awesome soundtrack. Carpenter is known for composing his own soundtracks, and the result is always great, but this is the one you'll have the most fun hearing even without watching the movie: https://youtu.be/nkQ80xVsSoE?list=PLDmdF1ma6cZrU2oO96SqeEUepwOM_3Tv3 Carpenter worked with Buckethead from Guns n' Roses and the band Anthrax, and while watching one of the final action scenes of the movie and listening to the kick ass (title drop) music, i said to my buddy, that this movie looks like the kind of film you imagine in your head, when you see the cover of a Metal album...The actors all do their job pretty fine, and it's nice to see a strong female lead who kicks ass and is in charge for a reason (or not?).Which is also the tone the movie is going for, at my first viewing i liked the film, but was a little led down that it wasn't more moody like Vampires instead of action oriented, but after i understood that it was supposed to be fun action, and most of all a kinda drug trip, i fully appreciated it and was highly entertained.Also for people who still don't believe that this movie is supposed to be the wishful fantasy of our addicted protagonist, the last shot of the film is the most obvious hint. But the scene that sells this idea the most is when our protagonist get's possessed by one of the Ghosts, but the drugs save her live and give her weird visions which tell her nothing that she didn't already knew, instead they underline a theory one of the characters told her, without any kind of proof, so that she clearly believes all the weird stuff that happens...I highly recommend this entertaining sci-fi-action-film to anyone who wants to see his favourite Metal Cover come to life, and to fans of Carpenter's work, who get the most out of it...

AMar_rom The Ghosts of Mars is an adventure film which can be described as part fantasy, part science-fiction. It takes place in the far future where humans have colonized Mars and built a society based on matriarchy.The movie starts with the testimony of the policewoman Melanie Ballard (played by Natasha Henstridge; i thought she was quite good here) recounting events that took place in previous days: she with other policemen led by Commander Braddock (Pamela Grier) traveled to Chrysi (a martian mining town) to escort back a dangerous criminal (Desolation Williams played by Ice Cube) who has been kept in the local prison there under guard. The policemen use the martian rail to go to Chrysi by train. After arriving there they find Desolation Williams in his prison cell but they also discover a far more dangerous situation than they would ever have expected.'The Ghosts of Mars' is directed by one of my favorite directors, John Carpenter. Quite frankly I think it is among the lesser films that he ever directed. Not because it is a bad movie. The reddish martian landscape is portrayed well with the cities isolated inside the martian desert and interconnected by rail. The film also contains enough good mystery, tension and action scenes to satisfy many movie goers who are attracted by such traits. It is a lesser film for Carpenter simply because Carpenter's other films are clearly superior. I rate it 6/10 and as I said: it is not a bad movie.

zoran_kamen First you think this movie is simple and dumb. But when you watch it slowly grows under ur skin. And then you are just glued until the end when it builds up ! There is some special energy which take this moviebeyond all 1000s of action/horror similar movies ! And when you see Carpenter is director, then u know why have this special energy that makes you not forgettin this movies as some crap ! If You lack energy and courage see this movie and you will be healed. Fpr example; there are possessions by ghosts but not just any ghosts--they are primordial Mars spirits ! And what is MArs ? Its planet of war ! So we have only movie in history which embodies energy of Mars. Its no coincidence that music is made by masters of metal music which is also as genre connected with MArs energy ! Steve Vai, Anthrax, Buckethead... This movie is special even if IMDb and Rotten T. is not very high, this movie is special, good and its CULT !!!

lurch13-68-305112 This movie, like all Carpenter movies, should be looked at a bit differently than others. Just like The Thing and Escape From New York, his movies had a very unique feel and look to them. You can easily tell a Carpenter movie from any other! When I rate this, I do it as compared to others that he has directed, created, wrote. It's NOT a classic like The Thing or Escape From New York but I still love it for what it is...a sci-fi action horror. Great characters, I love how the scenes are repeated from different points of view just like old detective stories were presented, and the concept was pure fun!!! Action, gratuitous blasting of murderous zombie-like antagonists, and cliché's galore! It's FUN, gang, not serious! A great movie at parties! I've seen it nearly 20 times and I still get a kick out of it! Carpenter rules!!!!!!!!