By EWAN McDONALD
(Herald rating: * * * )
In 2025, mankind has polluted Earth and needs a new planet. Mars is bombarded with robot space probes carrying bio-engineered algae which thrive, turning into green fields. Scientists go to check it out.
It's not a happy trip. The spaceship, commanded by Bowman (Carrie-Anne
Moss) goes through a mysterious storm which knocks out a lot of its equipment.
Gallagher (Val Kilmer), Bur-chenal (Tom Sizemore), Santen (Benjamin Bratt), Pettengil (Simon Baker) and scientist-philosopher Chantilas (Terence Stamp) land on the red planet to find the new growth has gone. Disappeared. Like, dematerialised.
The team is left with a wrecked landing module, a flash robot that hasn't been programed properly and must depend on supplies left behind by previous missions. Then something happens which leaves the scientists trying to think their way out of trouble. Better than average.
Running time: 116 mins
Rental: Now
