Mission to Mars

MISSION TO MARS —** — Gary Sinise, Don Cheadle, Connie Nielsen, Tim Robbins, Jerry O'Connell, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Kim Delaney; rated PG (profanity, violence, gore); Carmike 12, Plaza 5400, Ritz 15 and Villa Theaters; Century Theatres 16; Cinemark Jordan Landing Theaters; Gateway 8 Cinemas; Loews Cineplex Trolley Corners Cinemas; MegaPlex 17 at Jordan Commons; Redwood Drive-in (with "The Sixth Sense").

As long as there are other directors out there, Brian De Palma will continue to make his unique form of film "tributes."

The good news about his latest, "Mission to Mars," is that he's finally stopped ripping off Alfred Hitchcock. The bad news is that, here at least, he's decided to emulate the equally revered Stanley Kubrick — and in particular, the 1968 classic "2001: A Space Odyssey."

There's even worse news, though. Not only is this dull science fiction-thriller lacking in that film's grandeur and sense of wonder, it would have taken the Master of Suspense to make it interesting.

It's as if even De Palma tired of the cliched material and couldn't be bothered to put in much of an effort. And that lack of inspiration has even trickled down to the talented cast, which includes Gary Sinise, starring as astronaut Jim McConnell.

Jim was supposed to lead the first manned expedition to Mars, until his wife (Kim Delaney, shown in flashbacks) died tragically. Instead, he now has to watch as his best friend, Commander Luke Graham (Don Cheadle), leads the mission instead.

All seems to be going smoothly with the mission — at least until the astronauts discover a mysterious metallic object on the surface. And when they go to investigate, Luke and his crew are battered by a sudden sandstorm.

So it's up to Jim and his fellow astronauts — husband-and-wife team Woody Blake (Tim Robbins) and Terri Fisher (Connie Nielsen), and scientist Phil Ohlmyer (Jerry O'Connell) — to rescue him and solve the mystery.

This isn't exactly new ground that De Palma and a team of screenwriters are trying to tackle. But they attack it in the most workmanlike fashion and with a surprising lack of energy.

That description might also work for the uninspired performances. And to be honest, the only thing the film really has going for it are the eye-popping digital effects sequences, many of which have been done already in other, better movies.

"Mission to Mars" is rated PG for profanity (most of them religiously based), violence (a brief scuffle and a violent sandstorm) and gore.