MovieChat Forums > Mars Attacks! (1996) Discussion > So why did they attack?

So why did they attack?

posted 2 years ago by Hans-Wilhelm (1359)
6 replies | jump to latest

Had they planned to attack all along and the "We come in Peace" ceremony was just a ruse or did that dove situatiin and some misunderstanding cause the attack?
It wasn't clear to me.

[–] thingmakersback (1382) 2 years ago

I believe that they attacked because attacking was a central part of the rich Martian culture. Not understanding that is the basic cultural misunderstanding. It's a Martian thing...

[–] HarveyManFredSin (4877) 2 years ago

Indeed, we're culturally ignorant for not understanding this. Clearly the Martians are a superior civilisation, and we should have done the honourable thing, and surrendered to them.

[–] PaladinNJ (21525) 2 years ago

They were an invading force. They were hostile from the beginning. And yes, the ceremony was a ruse to gather the leaders in one place.

[–] HarveyManFredSin (4877) 2 years ago

For shits and giggles.

Honestly, it was as serious as that, and that's why I love Burton. He recognises that some people, and in this case, aliens, are just malicious, overgrown kids.

[–] ecarle (14979) 2 years ago

As the poster for the movie said:

"Nice planet...we'll take it!"

I'm also reminded of a line from the character played by Tim Robbins in the similar Tom Cruise movie "War of the Worlds"(2005)

"This isn't a war...its an extermination." Killing everybody is part of the takeover goal.

[–] sONOMArEturns (1265) 9 days ago

Watching it again, I think the idea is that the Martians are just sadistic trolls who like killing people simply because they find it hilarious. Kinda terrifying if you think about it, but I wish Tim Burton would've leaned more into how scary the idea is.