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Ghost Canyon

'Ghosts Of Mars: Special Edition' [Blu-ray]
(Ice Cube, Natasha Henstridge, Jason Statham, et al / Blu-ray / R / (2001) 2019 / Mill Creek Entertainment)

Overview: In 2176, a Martian police unit is sent to pick up a highly dangerous criminal at a remote mining post. Upon arrival, the cops find that the post has become a charnel house.

Blu-ray Verdict: John Carpenter's 'Ghosts Of Mars' is probably his most poorly received wide release picture and whilst I won't deny the film has some flaws and is a little cheesy, it still remains a viewing highlight from my early '00s.

In truth, it is just not nearly as bad as most folks would have you believe. The plot is similar to John Carpenter's gritty classic 'Assault On Precinct 13', but in a futuristic sci-fi setting.

In this futuristic society, it is matriarchal. Which means women run the show and are the dominant sex in the future. The easy on the eye, and hugly talented Natasha Henstridge is the lead in this film and runs the show accordingly.

She is a police lieutenant assigned to scoop up criminal James "Desolation" Williams played by Ice Cube. You see, the mining operations on Mars unleashed angry Martian spirits who take over the bodies of their human hosts and won't stop until they eradicate all human invaders on their planet.

Again, similar to 'Assault On Precinct 13', the cops and criminals form an alliance to repel the marauding horde and to survive. Jason Statham gives a good early gritty, teeth clenched performance whilst also hitting on Henstridge's character Melanie the whole movie!

Pam Grier, Robert Carradine and Peter Jason give brief, yet highly memorable appearances as well. Henstridge did a real good job as the lead in this film, especially on such short notice with little time to train and prepare (so the story now has it all these years later). OK, sure, some of the set designs were really horrendous and cheap looking and I felt the possessed humans turned ancient-tribal-warrior Martians were a little over the top in their mannerisms, but John Carpenter did a lot of his traditional synth score behind it and it kind of distracts you just enough to allow it all to unfold!

Personally, I think it's safe to say that if you are a Carpenter fan you should enjoy 'Ghosts Of Mars' as there are elements of most of his work to be found here.

Again, it's all a wee bit over the top and campy, but it still all (mostly) works as a entertaining action packed film.

As for the Bonus Features, the one that really stands out for me is the fantastic 17 minute long beauty, 'Video Diary: Red Desert Nights.' Filmed on a handheld early '00's camera, it is a very interesting behind the scenes look of how scenes came together (all under the red desert nights natural lighting).

As it has been titled it's basically a diary capturing the process of filming the movie and so we get lots of running, screaming, acting, hard, pensive looks and, of course, explosions!

No narration or special interviews just a raw behind the scenes look at a film being filmed. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Bonus Features of:

Audio Commentary with Director John Carpenter and Natasha Henstridge
Video Diary: Red Desert Nights
Featurette: "Scoring Ghosts Of Mars"
Special Effects (SFX) Deconstructions

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