parisskyinflames
I'm looking for a copy of this series. I loved it as a kid and have been having thoughts of nostalgia on Saturday morning cartoons and this animation still stayed with me as an adult. It is probably the best animation series that Fox ever put out (other than X-men), even though it was 3 episodes. I was never much of a sci-fi fan even as a kid but something about the story caught my attention enough to the point where I tuned in the following Saturday to see what happened next. I've been searching hi and lo to find any references to this awesome animation but the closet I got was this website. If any one knows where to find a copy of Red Planet the mini-series please, please, please contact me!
Omega
Red Planet is based on the Heinlein novel of the same name Red Planet: A Colonial Boy on Mars (1949) and is a passable little 3 part miniseries with some very notable divergences. (But then when don't they change things.) Animation looks to be from the same group as was doing the Spider Man animated series at the time and is above average for its production values. Though obviously not a big budget work. Red Planet still looks good. Some minor spoilers may follow if you haven't read the book beforehand.The series follows the exploits of 2 young boys on the planet New Ares, apparently not Mars for some reason, and their adventures and trials in dealing with an increasingly corrupt and callous governing body over the hard working colonists. The series drops some elements and tosses in many more, such as cyborg bounty hunters, expanding on the desert water-seekers, and a side plot involving a cover-up. Along the way Jim, Frank, and a spunky tag-along little sister learn more than they bargained for about their little friend. Willis, a native creature capable of simple speech and very inquisitive too. And of course the almost mythical aboriginals wandering in the background.Could have followed the book more. But well done as it stands.
sfboy101
This was a great way to bring the novel to the screen. Think two- or three-episode "Batman" -- just enough time to tell a longer story, and still aimed at kids just old enough to follow a more intricate plot. Heinlein's juvenile novel "Red Planet" wouldn't make much of a film, but was very well adapted into a rarely-seen form, the animated miniseries. I would like to see more of these!
jessewillis
Red Planet the animated miniseries based upon the novel by RAH is a mixed bag. I'd have liked it to have been more faithful to the book but it is pretty good for what it is. There is a lot to like and a lot to hate. The villans and action sequences are disapointing but the feel that New Ares (Mars?) has is quite nice. The alien "locals" are also well done. I wish they'd do more animated miniseries based upon novels, it would much improve the quality of animation on television.
AD
