In 2025, we almost take it for granted that there are signs of humanity on Mars. The most famous is probably NASA's Curiosity rover, which is still operational, having taken the reins from Opportunity, which shut down in 2018 with the strangely anthropomorphic message of “my batteries are low, and it's getting dark”. Before either of these, Pathfinder was launched in 1996, landing in 1997 with rudimentary cameras and scientific equipment. The hope for this first leap in robotic exploration on our nearest neighbouring planet was, at least for some, that they would find evidence of life. Most of us have moved on from the H.G. Wells idea of almost humanoid creatures with enormous tripod-legged robotic vehicles hiding on the planet, but bacteria? Something small? That's possible, surely?

Red Planet leans on this hope, and takes it on a wild neon-soaked ride through space and across the surface of Mars. Somewhat amusingly predicting that by 2025 we'd know we were in serious ecological trouble, a crew is sent to Mars to investigate why their terraforming efforts don't seem to be working. The mission leader, Bowman (Carrie Anne Moss) remains on their ship, but the remainder of the crew descends to have a look around.

When they get there, they are surprised to see that the algae sent ahead of them with the hope of altering the oxygen saturation to earth levels, is gone without a trace. Burchenal (Tom Sizemore) comments there should be some evidence of it, but there is nothing. Then, when they reach their “hab”, that is for all intents and purposes gone too, destroyed in some unknown way.

Unfortunately, what they also don't know, is that their pet robot, AMEE, on loan from the Marines, was damaged on landing, and has reverted to being fully hostile to any threats. Gallagher (Val Kilmer), an engineer mockingly referred to as the ‘space janitor' has some hope of either reprogramming or disarming AMEE before she kills all of them. Then there's conflict between two crew members as one tries to hide a murder… and there's life on Mars. Obviously.

Herein lies the issue. There is so much conflict, so much danger, and so many foes that perhaps, while it may not attempt an Odyssean journey across another planet, it becomes a bit of a mess. Nothing is given any time to escalate from a small threat to a big one; it's just “boom! New danger!” at every turn, which unfortunately ends up making it a little flat and poorly paced, as nothing has time to land before they're on to the next enemy.

There are some positives. The cast is great, with a fun albeit brief turn from Terrence Stamp as the science officer turned philosopher. And stylistically, it is so iconically and unashamedly neon, and so extremely year 2000, that it becomes almost charming. There is space for a better film here, perhaps with a longer runtime and better development, but it ultimately becomes, like Earth's terraforming efforts, a bit of a failure to launch.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Limited Edition Special Features

4K Ultra HD (2160p) Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
The Martian Chronicles, a brand new interview with visual effects supervisor Jeffrey A. Okun
Suit Up, a brand new interview with helmet and suits designer Steve Johnson
Angry Red Planet, a brand new visual retrospective with film critic Heath Holland
Deleted scenes
Theatrical trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin
Illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Mark A. Altman

Red Planet is out on Limited Edition 4k and Blu-ray from Arrow Video now.