Critics’ reviews

Mars Attacks! (1996)

13 reviews from 13 publications. Critics’ score 60: 4 positive, 6 mixed, 3 negative.

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60
Positive
4
Mixed
6
Negative
3

The reviews are split down the middle, tilting slightly in the film’s favour. Most critics agree on where the pleasure lies: Burton’s design. The production design, the retro visual spirit and the effects, deliberately artificial yet convincing, draw praise even from those who do not enjoy the film as a whole. The cast comes next, with the panicked, over-the-top ensemble singled out and Pierce Brosnan named more than once as the comic standout. Danny Elfman’s score gets a mention.

The reservations cluster around pacing and laughs. Several reviews find the opening slow and the script slight, and one or two say the jokes do not land. The spread is wide, from four-star notices to firm rejections. The Los Angeles Times finds it less entertaining than it ought to be; Collider says it lacks soul; Eye for Film faults the ending. Two later reviews are of disc releases and spend as much time on the transfer as the film.

Radio Times
★★★★ · Alan Jones
80

Jones says the film takes time to find its pace but eventually becomes an entertaining science-fiction spoof. He singles out Pierce Brosnan’s comic performance for praise.

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Total Film
28 February 1997 · ★★★★ · Total Film
80

The review finds the film entertaining and inventive, though its slow start and lack of engaging characters keep it from being great. It praises the astonishingly realistic effects and the ensemble cast’s panicked performances, while warning that Burton’s surreal style may leave some viewers cold.

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Slant Magazine
14 August 2026 · ★★★½ · Jake Cole
70

Cole praises the film’s striking 4K presentation, finding that it enhances Burton’s colorful, chaotic sci-fi comedy. He singles out the vivid image detail and immersive Dolby Atmos sound, while noting the disc’s sparse extras.

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Time Out
· TCh
70*

The available description suggests a positive take on Burton’s sci-fi satire. It singles out the fun of rooting for the space invaders.

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RogerEbert.com
64*

The page could not be accessed, so its verdict cannot be determined. The supplied text contains no specific praise or complaint.

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The New York Times
15 December 1996 · Janet Maslin
64*

The URL identifies a New York Times review of Tim Burton’s 1996 film. The article text is inaccessible, so its verdict and specific praise or criticism cannot be verified.

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Empire
1 January 2000 · Mark Salisbury
60*

The review finds the film uneven but ultimately deliriously entertaining. It praises Burton’s visual inventiveness while faulting the slow opening and slight script.

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Variety
1 December 1996 · Todd McCarthy
50*

McCarthy finds the film inventive and fascinating but often short on laughs, with limited appeal beyond sci-fi enthusiasts. He particularly praises the exceptional production design and the convincing, deliberately artificial effects.

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Los Angeles Times
13 December 1996 · Kenneth Turan
30*

Turan finds the film less entertaining than it should be, despite its distinctive oddball sensibility. He praises its retro visual spirit but faults the humor and the limited impact of its many recognizable actors.

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Den of Geek
14 October 2009 · Carley Tauchert
65*

The critic finds the film an enjoyable, if imperfect, B-movie homage and appreciates Burton’s effort while acknowledging its mass-market limitations. The over-the-top performances of its star-studded cast are singled out as a particular strength.

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HeyUGuys
5 October 2010 · Jon Lyus
65*

Lyus finds the film still funny and recommends revisiting it, though it has not aged as well as some contemporaries. He praises its production design and Danny Elfman’s score, while faulting the Blu-ray for having no special features.

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Collider
2 October 2010 · Andre Dellamorte
35*

The critic finds that Mars Attacks ultimately fails despite having plenty to recommend. He praises Pierce Brosnan’s comic performance but faults the film’s cluttered pacing and lack of soul.

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Eye for Film
7 March 2009 · Jennie Kermode
35*

Kermode finds the film a bold but ultimately disappointing attempt, weakened by poor pacing and a cop-out ending. She praises Burton’s visuals and playful design, as well as the strong cast and several entertaining scenes.

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Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate