Mars Express Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Mars Express Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 1, 2024

“Mars Express” is a French production from co-writer/director Jeremie Perin, who brings viewers into a future where the line between robot and human has been blurred. The feature is a low-budget endeavor with big creativity driving it, delivering a sci-fi tale of extinction with neo-noir elements, giving the detective story routine a different spin. Perin is attentive to the needs of his audience, keeping the picture active with futureworld sights and periodic blasts of action. However, there’s a human core to the film which is most impressive, as Perin and co-writer Laurent Sarfati aim to generate a deeper understanding of emotional ties with complex characters. Such attention to detail really helps “Mars Express” achieve dramatic satisfaction and land a few surprises along the way, making for a more meaningful sit, though the sleek visuals also have their tremendous appeal as well.

In the future, Aline is a cop in charge of tracking down those seeking to disrupt a world that’s run by humans but driven by robotics and A.I., with some trying to “jailbreak” machines to use for their shady purposes. Aline is joined by her partner, Carlos, who died five years ago, replaced by his robotic “back up,” with the pair newly tasked with finding Jun, a student who’s connected to strange business involving augmented humans. Aline battles with her sobriety, attempting to keep herself focused on the mission, supported by her boss, Chris, while also enduring the challenges that come with the job. Setting out to find Jun around a colonized area of Mars, Aline and Carlos stay in communication through brain chips, and they encounter additional layers of trouble that threaten their safety, including the discovery of a spaceship that hints at a master plan the cops are newly determined to uncover.

The pursuit of Roberta, a young hacker, serves as the introduction to the world of “Mars Express.” Aline and Carlos are on the case, following a warrant for the young woman’s arrest, trying to make their way into a hotel, with Roberta aided by her robot companion. The plan doesn’t go smoothly, launching a chase sequence through the building, watching Aline hunt her target while Carlos also deals with robotic complications. The screenplay establishes earthbound activity before the story travels to Mars, where Aline is based, dealing with the happenings at her precinct while checking in with Chris, who oversees operations. “Mars Express” opens with a bang, but also a clear display of its R-rated action, as violence is common, along with salty language, making for a more adult viewing experience, and one with a complicated tale of death and robotic resurrection to follow as a mystery takes shape.

“Mars Express” has its defined influences from a variety of sources (it plays like a blend of “Heavy Metal,” “RoboCop,” and a Philip K. Dick novel), and it eventually concentrates on a new case for Aline, who’s out to find Jun, joined by Carlos as they attempt to follow what happened to the student. During this exploratory period, things get a little clouded for the main characters, as Aline lacks interest in maintaining her sobriety, while Carlos is still dealing with the family he lost when he died, struggling to preserve contact with his young daughter. These are unusual emotional challenges for animation to explore, and it gives “Mars Express” a little more to chew on as the cops deal with their demons and grief. The screenplay also offers additional information concerning the “back up” program, where clients are resurrected via robotics, giving them another chance, or perhaps imprisoning them.

Mars Express Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation preserves the softer look of "Mars Express," though animation achievements are nicely defined at times, showcasing the distinct appearance of the feature and his anime-like movements. The expanse of the movie is open for examination, and character particulars are appreciable. Colors are appealing with varied Martian tours, while cityscapes explore hotter neon. Character hues are sharp, including hair color and uniforms, and a holographic glow is preserved. Delineation is satisfactory. Compression struggles at times, with banding a periodic sight.

Mars Express Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two 5.1 Dolby TrueHD mixes for "Mars Express," with English and French options. Both basically sound the same, delivering a crisp understanding of dialogue exchanges, maintaining a balanced sense of dramatic engagement and emotional outbursts. Scoring delivers sharp sonic support with a distinct synth sound, and musical moods offer surround engagement, boosting in intensity with club visits. Low-end handles explosions with weight, and heavy beats are appreciable. Sound effects are energetic, with plenty of panning activity and channel separation to define movement.

Mars Express Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Let's Play Classic Games" (36:45, HD) sits down with director Jeremie Perin and GKIDS's Thomas Biery to play some old titles that inspired "Mars Express" and the helmer's imagination.

• Director Scene Breakdowns (HD) present "Sequence 78" (16:18) and "Opening Scene" (13:38).

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Mars Express Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Mars Express" has its excitement, following the characters as they battle to make arrests, and there's an interesting take on a car accident involving a special safety foam that protects drivers from harm, and also works as an effective bulletproof barrier. Roberta returns to the story in the second half to help with robotic manipulation and explanation, and there's plenty of sci-fi elements to examine, including the introduction of "brain farming" and rogue machines that complicate Aline's investigation. "Mars Express" works to a climatic event, but Perin isn't completely committed to formula, bravely taking the tale in a fresh direction that highlights a more interesting battle between human and robot, looking into the gray area of freedom and existence. It's a welcome turn of events to give the picture some additional dramatic power, with the helmer looking to lead the endeavor to a more ambitious resolution, and one that befits a compelling amalgamation of supercop action and identity crises.