A mix of sci-fi and horror, The Last Days on Mars isn’t the kind of film that will have people talking years after seeing it, but it’s a fun way to spend 98 minutes. Nearly six months of exploration on Mars hasn’t turned up much for an international crew a crew of eight. The lack of findings, and numerous problems has Vincent (Liev Schreiber), Rebecca (Romola Garai), Robert (Johnny Harris), Richard (Tom Cullen), and Charles (Elias Koteas) anxiously awaiting the return home.

With just twenty hours left, crewmate Marko Petrovic (Goran Kostić) decides to explore an area of Mars’ surface one last time. Convinced he has discovered a microscopic life form, he attempts to collect a soil sample for proof. However, during the process, he falls to his death. When the crew members arrive at the accident site to investigate, a never-before-seen plague is unleashed; leaving them all fighting for their lives.

Based on the short story “The Animators” by Sydney J. Bounds, screenwriter Clive Dawson does a fairly impressive job of fleshing out the terror element, and making it believable. Ruairi Robinson handles directorial duties in a straightforward manner, not adding much in the way of originality. Instead, he uses a series of short quick cuts that gets tiring, and ultimately detracts from the overall suspense of the story. Thankfully, the performances of Liev Schreiber and his co-stars make the film worth watching. That said, there’s nothing about The Last Days on Mars that makes it more than an average planetary exploration film.

Essentially, what starts out as a potential sci-fi thriller, ends as a vanilla zombie thriller. You might want to rent this one before buying.

The DVD is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer that’s rather detailed. The effects blend rather well with the standard shots, and colors are excellent. Black levels are above average; deep and consistent throughout.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound track is solid, providing clear dialogue, and nice directionality. It makes you feel like you’re there with the characters.

English and Spanish subtitles are available.

The following extras are included:

  • The Making of The Last Days on Mars (15:17) Director Ruairi Robinson and members of the cast discuss the films characters and themes. They also discuss the filming process, and the various costumes.
  • Analyzing the Visual Effects (6:00) A surprisingly detailed breakdown of the numerous digital shots created by effects house Screen Scene, both to replicate the surface of Mars and to extend the interior sets.
  • Behind the Scenes Comparisons (4:01) See specific shots filmed, with the final shot inset in a small window.
  • AXIS TV: A Look at The Last Days on Mars (3:11) AXIS TV promo, using excerpts from the interviews in “The Making of The Last Days on Mars“.