MovieChat Forums > Mars Attacks! (1996) Discussion > This movie can't decide what decade it's...

This movie can't decide what decade it's in...

posted 10 years ago by cathy-creswell
5 replies | jump to latest

I know I'm being picky. I like this film, and I know I'm not supposed to take it seriously. It's a dark, campy comedy.

However, the clothing and pop culture references were all over the map. Mrs. President's attire screams Mrs. Nixon. The clothing and hair in the casino says " late 1960's". But, the disco music that plays in that scene is mid 70's.

Nice vintage cars, but the inconsistency in getting the era right was a bit disappointing for me. Having lived through all these eras makes the errors glaring.

But, I did enjoy the movie. The lack of continuity didn't ruin it for me.

[–] smeth 10 years ago

I don't think there ever was an attempt at consistency. It was meant to be a hodge podge of retro references from the 50s look of the saucers through to the 70s disaster movie stucture.

[–] uruseiranma 9 years ago

I don't think there ever was an attempt at consistency. It was meant to be a hodge podge of retro references from the 50s look of the saucers through to the 70s disaster movie stucture.

Yeah, Tim Burton's films mostly have that jumbled-together time-era feel:

Edward Scissorhands seems to be taking place in the modern-day, yet suburbia feels like it's in the 1950's.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory seems to combine several different decades/places into one world.

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure seems to exist in a time-less world too.

"Thanks, guys." "So long, partner."

- Toy Story 3 (9/10)

[–] Blue_Eyes_James 9 years ago

Don't forget Batman's Gotham City deco design!

[–] bossdog677 9 years ago

Burton didn't want to limit himself to taking a proverbial squat on just one decade, also i feel it's what the 90's would have been like in the 40's if that makes sense

[–] TheEndIsNigh (269) 22 days ago

It's one of the things I liked about Tim Burton's early films like Beetlejuice, Batman, and Edward Scissorhands. They existed in their own little time warp. A bit like Wallace and Gromit where they're clearly supposed to be in a 1950's/60's setting but they have advanced, modern technology around them.

I didn't like the new Beetlejuice and one of the reasons was it lost that. It had too much modern sensibilities in it with the phones, influencer talk etc. Hated it.