Roving Mars

Alternate Title(s): Formerly Mission to Mars

Is there life on Mars? That is one of the questions posed by this IMAX film, which details the journey of "Spirit" and "Opportunity", two rovers exploring the red planet.

The documentary uses images shot by the "MERs" (Mars Exploration Rovers), vehicles that fly to Mars and send back images to Earth. The film will be designed to give the feeling that audiences are actually walking on Mars, using parts of Antarctica as a double for Mars.

Footage was shot at the Cape Canaveral rocket launches in June/July 2003. Filming for MARS began in January 2004 when the robotic landers arrived on Mars.

Produced by Kennedy-Marshall and White Mountain Films. Directed by George Butler. Executive Producer: Scott Swofford. Producers: Frank Marshall and George Butler. Story by George Butler and Robert Andrus. Director of Photography: T.S. Christensen. Additional Photography by Reed Smoot and James Neihouse. Editor: Nancy Baker. Music by Philip Glass. Narration by George Butler. Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.

BMZ Reviews:

Seeing Red By Ross Anthony

Roving Mars By Paula Tagle

Outside Reviews:

"From Earth to Mars, and All Points in Between" By Nathan Lee, The New York Times

"Roving Mars" By Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter

"Roving Mars" By Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

"'Mars' looks fine, thanks to IMAX" By Mike Clark, USA Today

"Roving Mars" By Michael Esposito, Chicago Tribune

Visual Effects Society Awards Announced By Visual Effects Society (February 11, 2007)

GSCA Announces Seven Award Recipients By Giant Screen Cinema Association (September 26, 2006)

[PDF] Roving Mars

Latest Review:

Rating: Very Good
Posted by: toasty
great film. wish there was more footage (real and CGI) of mars though. ... Read More >>

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