Andrew Chaikin, SPACE.com's executive editor for space and science, went to see Mission to Mars recently. Contrary to his lowered expectations, the film did elicit some excitement, and resulted in the following letter to a friend.
I just saw it, by myself. That turned out to be the perfect way to see it. I sat in the 4th row of a nearly empty, tiny little sub-theater at the Capitol Theater, a few blocks from my house. I'd had a dream last night that I went to see
M2M, and it felt like the right time to go. And I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
Yes, the dialogue was stupid in many places -- but not everywhere. Yes, the product-placement shots were eye-roll material. (I noticed Dr. Pepper, M&Ms, Compaq and Sony. Did you see any others?) Yes, there were a bunch of really trite visual references to 2001. And the special effects were often disappointing -- Mars didn't look like Mars, the spacecraft looked stupid (shuttle meets Italian space opera).
But every once in a while there was a really cool shot -- like the very last shot of Mars from orbit, with the atmospheric haze visible on the curving horizon, and a wide-screen view of the surface. And the liftoff of the Earth-return vehicle from Mars, another neat shot. And a couple of others. I'm looking forward to the DVD just so I can do some frame-grabs.
I also basically enjoyed the acting, despite the appalling dialogue. Gary Sinise -- man, he really is good. Even lines like "It's what I was born for" don't prevent me from really liking to watch him act.
And once I got caught up in the movie -- which actually didn't happen for me until they reached Mars -- I enjoyed the unfolding of the story. Even the bit about the Face on Mars didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.
And for all its Hollywood glibness -- okay, now it's time for the scene where the astronauts figure out the puzzle -- the film kept my interest once the action shifted to Mars itself.
And I have to say that by the end of it, I was left with a good feeling, even a bit of a spark. Hey, you can't go too far wrong with a film whose message includes: Humans will walk on
Mars, there is intelligent (and benevolent) life on other worlds and we will eventually go to other stars.
Even a simpleminded film that has reasonably good production values can function as a container for that message. Our own minds and spirits do the rest. We receive the message, and it connects us to the greater reality that we know, in our most inspired moments, we are part of.
When I left the theater -- which was absolutely deserted by this time -- I emerged onto the surreal spectacle of Arlington "after hours:" The traffic light at Lake Street blinking yellow, as it always does after 11 PM, and an occasional car zipping past on the wide, otherwise empty street.
When I got home I took a minute to stare at the waxing moon. And you know what? It looked close. Right next door. After all, Gary Sinise was on his way to another galaxy.
I felt thankful to have this perspective -- to be alive at this time. I still hope and pray that I live long enough to go into space. But even if I don't, on some spiritual level, it almost doesn't matter.
Because like 2001, Mission to Mars connects with that greater reality, with the future that you and I know is real, it just hasn't happened yet.
What do you think? Send your comments to the
author or editor.
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