In the distant future, Melanie Ballard (Natasha Henstridge, Species) is a headstrong police lieutenant protecting and serving the denizens of the angry red planet. But when she and her squad are tasked with apprehending the dangerous James “Desolation” Williams (Ice Cube, Anaconda), she soon discovers an even bigger threat. The region’s mining operation has unleashed a deadly army of Martian spirits with the power to take over human bodies — and they won’t rest until they wipe out all invaders of their planet!

Featuring Jason Statham (Crank, The Meg), Pam Grier (Foxy Brown, Jawbreaker), and Clea DuVall (The Faculty, Identity), as well as incredible makeup effects from Robert Kurtzman, Greg Nicotero, and Howard Berger, John Carpenter’s Ghosts Of Mars is an intergalactic terror fest unlike anything seen on Earth.

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Video Quality

Scream Factory presents John Carpenter’s Ghosts Of Mars with a stunning 2160p transfer in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio sourced from a new 4K scan of the Original Negative with Dolby Vision/HDR. The film was previously released on Blu-Ray by Sony in 2009, followed by Mill Creek Entertainment in 2019. We do not have either release to compare, but we are pretty confident that this release blows that ancient master out of the water. A major aspect to appreciate with this new presentation is the presence of unbelievable textures. Audiences will be impressed by the curvatures on display in the costumes and within the production design. The level of rich detail and clarity on display is a wonder thanks to the dazzling amount of natural film grain intact. The grain resolves consistently with nothing ever feeling static or mushy, even in the darkest corners. Any potential specks of damage have been eradicated thanks to the restoration.

Another major win for the transfer is the utilization of Dolby Vision/HDR for refined color output. Cinematographer Garry B. Kibbe forges a stylized look on the titular planet that looks deep and nuanced on this disc. Hues have never been more radiant or precise in terms of color output. Highlights are fortified with no hint of blooming in the brightest moments of explosions or roaring fires. Black levels could not look better with nothing in the way of crush or banding present. Audiences can observe excellent shadow detail with figures properly outlined instead of blending into the background. Lighting is carefully rendered from scene to scene, and this disc handles every slight environmental change with ease. There are no unsightly digital anomalies such as compression artifacts or any other such impediments. This presentation is another win from the team at Scream Factory.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio track which both achieve exactly what they need to. This narrative is accompanied by a detailed sound design that becomes very immersive with the surround mix. Environmental sounds such as mechanical doors and gunfire are rendered well alongside everything else. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without being overshadowed by any competing elements. The soundtrack and score burst through with a notable vitality to complement the action. Each of these tracks provides a soundscape that ideally captures the artistic intent with a fidelity that is perfectly translated. There do not seem to be any major instances of age-related wear and tear. Scream Factory has delivered the goods. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for those who desire them.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Director John Carpenter and actor Natasha Henstridge provide an entertaining and jovial commentary track as they discuss the production while playfully bantering with one another.
Assault On Outpost 13 – Scoring Ghosts Of Mars: Interview with Film Music Historian Daniel Schweiger: A ten-minute piece in which the historian discusses the score for Ghosts Of Mars, the use of heavy metal in film scores, the musicians jamming with John Carpenter, and more.
Red Desert Nights – Making Ghosts Of Mars: A 16-minute archival piece that takes a look at the production of the film with some cool behind-the-scenes footage.
Scoring Ghosts Of Mars: A nearly seven-minute archival piece that takes a look at the recording of the score for the film.
Ghosts Of Mars Special Effects Deconstruction: A nearly seven-minute piece on the special effects of the film.
Theatrical Trailer (2:09)

Final Thoughts

John Carpenter’s Ghosts Of Mars is one of the last major titles to come from the legendary filmmaker, and it is far from one of his best. The film feels a bit derivative thanks to its clunky script that is not enhanced by certain performances that fall more on the wooden side of the spectrum. That being said, Carpenter does bring some flair to the direction, and some cool action sequences elevate it above what its reputation would lead you to believe. Add in some performers who are doing their best to elevate the lines they are given, and you have a movie that is disappointing, but not a complete failure. Scream Factory has provided the film with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release that boasts a terrific A/V presentation and a fine array of new and archival special features. If you are a Carpenter completist, this is the best way to own the film. Recommended

John Carpenter’s Ghosts Of Mars (Collector’s Edition) is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD + Blu-Ray Combo Pack.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Scream Factory has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.