"Mission to Mars" is a great children's film. That must be said first because usually when people hear the name Brian De Palma they think of violent gangster films like "Scarface" and "The Untouchables." But those expecting to see a gruesome, bloody, futuristic space voyage are in for a rude awakening.

"Mission to Mars" is very friendly and innocent to the point of it being a cheesy science fiction flick. It's about a closely knit group of astronauts who are preparing a trip to Mars. It is a "popcorn" flick to say the least and one often wonders if these shiny, happy people exist in real life.

The characters are introduced at a family picnic on the eve of the launch, sharing in each others' joys and fears about the mission. Gary Sinise ("Snake Eyes," "Ransom") plays an astronaut who has been saddened by the recent loss of his wife and has trouble readjusting to his NASA duties. Tim Robbins ("The Shawshank Redemption," "Jacob's Ladder") plays Sinise's friend and co-worker who will stick his neck out to get his friend back in the controller's seat of a mission. Don Cheadle ("Boogie Nights," "Out of Sight") is the third member of the space-bound trio. His role as space captain for the mission takes a horrifying turn,resulting in the strange deaths of his fellow astronauts. He is the only surviving member of the original team and it is now up to Sinise and Robbins to come rescue their buddy from the horrors of the red planet.

Cheadle's character discovers intelligent life on the desolate planet when an enormous face is revealed on the desert floor by a monstrous tornado that claimed the other astronauts' lives. This giant twister makes for some superb special effects as does the giant face, which is discovered to be an alien artifact.

The film has some very childlike and warm qualities to it. Each character has a special, loving glow about them as well as a strong sense of duty to the mission. Some of the dialogue is hilarious – it resembles the weak humor and melodrama from early Star Trek television episodes.

It is not difficult to notice strong similarities to Stanley Kubrick's legendary, sci-fi classic "2001: A Space Odyssey."

"Mission to Mars" is a mix of fantasy and family that leaves the audience with feelings like those provided by Hallmark greeting cards and the 80's song "We are the World."

Check it out for a new look at future space exploration. But definitely go for the laugh of seeing Gary Sinise with blonde highlights and what looks to be eyeliner and mascara that he sports in every scene.

2 and 1/2 out of 5 shamrocks

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