‘Officer Melanie and Sergeant Jericho travel to a mining outpost to transport a prisoner. On arriving, they realise that demons of an ancient Martian civilisation have possessed the entire colony.’

I had heard so many dreadful things about this film- that the dialogue was terrible (it’s not too bad), that the special effects are awful (I’ve seen worse) and that the cast are, shall we say, far from optimal (I thought they were pretty good actually).

I think Carpenter was trying to make a big, action packed multiplex film that entertained without any kind of hidden meanings beneath the surface. A popcorn film you might say. And he succeeds. This is a cross between Aliens and a shoot em up console game. And I was entertained.

Ice Cube looks even more uptight than he usually does (quite the achievement), Pam Grier is as good as ever and Jason Statham (with hair!) delivers his best Mockney.

Apparently Natasha Henstridge’s part was originally intended for Courtney Love. Just imagine that!

In fact, the only thing I don’t like about the film is that Roger Ebert gave it a favourable review too.

No, it’s not Halloween, The Fog or Assault on Precinct 13. But as pure entertainment to be seen on a big screen, it’s pretty good.

3 out of 5 stars