Fantasmi da Marte

Packing a badass cast & good dose of gore-filled action, John Carpenter's penultimate film (to date) features an interesting premise and even set things up well in the beginning but once the main plot takes over, the script shortcomings start to surface as dialogues go downhill, characters turn bland, acting takes a hit, VFX inadequacy is exposed, and the scare factor diminishes in its entirety. Not one of Carpenter's best but not a chore either, Ghosts of Mars still has an unabashed quality to it that makes the ride somewhat enjoyable despite the hammy acting & over-the-top execution.

I'm not some naive fan who thinks Carpenter can do no wrong. I didn't care much for Vampires or Village of the Damned (they were alright, but the scripts for those two were not up to snuff for a great director like Carpenter). However, I think Ghosts of Mars is one of his greatest movies. If you can't appreciate this movie then you can't really appreciate Carpenter, IMO. From the Lovecraftian story and atmosphere, to the anamorphic photography, to the excellent music, everything here is Carpenter. Hopefully this movie will find its audience, in time, rather than be forgotten. One criticism of Carpenter I've never been able to understand is that people say he isn't subtle, he relies solely on shocks and violence. Yes, his movies have shocks and violence, they are the release mechanisms for all of the terror he slowly builds up, neanderthals! It seems some film critics are just too good for American horror, they can't stoop to its level from their lofty perch.

I can see why people hate Ghost of Mars cause the whole movie look like it could be directed by Paul W. Anderson and not John Carpenter but you gotta know that the man is not a flipping God when he direct the unholy sequel to his 1981 steath action classic Escape From New York so watching the movie today I can cut him some slack and enjoy it.The plot of Ghosts of Mars feel like the Hollywood first attempt at a Doom live action movie when it take place on Mars where space cop vs not demon but human possessed by evil Martian spirit that make them going on a killing spree while dress up as a MetalHead and I kid you not they also sound like a Death Metal song and Metal music will kick in everytime they appears on screen.It B-movie glorious which mean it campy,cheesy and alot of fun plus you can see Ice Cube and Jason Statham played the opposite role of what are they usually doing nowadays

I really like movies from John Carpenter, they all have something, something unique only that comes from the brain of John Carpenter. Somehow i didn't watched Ghosts of Mars to this day, and how i made a mistake listening to reviews and other people, this is exceptional entertainment, this is not intelligent movie, but it is very action packed and moving film, and still it keeps the atmosphere for which Carpenter is known for. You really have a feeling that it is happening on colony on Mars. Ghosts of Mars is great mixture of action, sci-Fi, horror and even western segments. Cast is very good, Natasha Henstridge has done great job as the main charachter, i will also praise the acting of Jason Statham in this one, on of my favorite charachters in the movie for sure, other part of the cast is also great, Ice Cube is solid in his role of gangsta Desolation Williams, i would also mention performances of veteran actresses Pam Grier and Joanna Cassidy. I also enjoyed the soundtrack which was once again created by Carpenter himself, goes well with the movie. I really enjoyed Ghosts of mars and i recommend anyone who loves action movies and works of John Carpenter. My grade 7/10.

I first saw this during Christmas vacation in 2001 in Regal theatre, South Mumbai, Colaba.

I enjoyed it then, especially the gore n Jason Statham's fight choreography.

Inspite of owning a VCD, I never played it on the player.

Revisited recently again in the month of December.

This movie hasn't aged well n I found it to be boring n very silly.

The movie has too many flashbacks.

Also I never understood how the possessed fellas get earrings or nose rings or whatever they wear.

In fact even the lead villain/ghost/demon is wearing a rubber suit representing a six pack. Now that is something very ridiculous.