MovieChat Forums > Ghosts of Mars (2001) Discussion > Annoying inconsistency

Annoying inconsistency

posted 14 years ago by Promontorium
7 replies | jump to latest

Almost immediately after Natasha successfully expels the alien from her (probably from the drug) she exchanges this odd bit of dialog with Ice Cube where they agree if either of them gets possessed, the other knew what to do. But... she already survived it, obviously there is a way to survive it. They don't spend one minute trying to think of a way of recreating this miracle, instead they resolve to act like it didn't happen.

What if it was the drug? What if all anyone had to do was take the drug, and it would end the reign of terror?

Obviously a lot of people don't like this film. Which is odd because I liked this a lot better than many of Carpenter's other films. It was entertaining in my opinion. Only this one point, and really the ending I found unappealing.

[–] KrustytheDude 14 years ago

That's a good point. They found a possible defense against this soul possession with the drug but they don't bring it up again. But I think their current situation made it impractical. They were under siege and had to constantly fight their way out and wouldn't be able to save anyone that got possessed.

If there was a sequel it could have been something to use for the story but alas it was not to be. I like this movie a lot too. It was good campy fun.

[–] devilside 13 years ago

I think GOM is the essence of a pure cult film, and example how it starts, from the mainstream hatred, because it's too different, too stupid, too campy, too nonsensical, etc... There's a reason why out of all Carpenter's flicks only Dark Star comes close when it comes to this cultish quality. DS can be easily seen as perhaps the worst film ever made, but those qualities that people despise are exactly the reason why some people love it so much. This is a perfect example of a cult phenomenon. Carpenter made a masterpiece here, but not for the mainstream public.

[–] smoke0 13 years ago

I loved this movie from start to finish, and remembered thinking how Natasha and Ice Cube made such a great team that there just had to be a sequel, but, oh well..For me, this movie is right up there with Pitch Black for being constantly and surprisingly character driven instead of playing it safe and sticking to the standard formulaic horror movie tropes.

Revenge is a dish that best goes stale.

[–] Acrimonious 13 years ago

The drug may have been a cure or slowed downed the possesion process, but they imply it was more a combination of the drug and her will power. The drug was her escape. By showing how the drug calmed her down (which is opposite of the behavior we see when they are possessed) it may have given her the chance to fight off the possession. Once again, I don't think it was a cure, rather a way to give the person to fight it off.

My two cents.

[–] Cybernaut316 13 years ago

What you're describing, Acrimonious, is exactly what was implied by the OP. You've just given a plausible explanation for how it could work as a cure.

[–] Stilborn 13 years ago

oh yeah, let's all do downers............. They just did not want to share there stash with strangers. If they are doing drugs there willpower is ziltch.

The next thing you know they will be smoking (the aliens out).

[–] ms-zanadu 12 years ago

Totally agree devilside ( an excellent reply here too by the way ) . I usually go for the cult classic type films because of the unique one-of-a-kind storylines in them ( most of the movies I watch rarely ever appeal to anyone I know but me anyway lol ) . I never really thought Carpenter's Films were ever mainstream to begin with IMPO but still really liked all his movies and never tired of them either - so to me his movies are masterpieces ( especially all his movie music scores ! ) . I surprisingly still have not seen " Dark Star " ( and still wish to - oh well one of these fine days ) . Thanks devilside for your reply and to Promontorium for your subject post .