Mars Attacks! story

movie: Mars Attacks (1996) · 1996-12-13

Martians launch a full-scale invasion of Earth.

36 total · 1 choice · 7 major · 28 minor

ThemeLevelMotivation
attack from outer space by a powerful conquering enemy choice Martians descended on Earth in a formidable armada of flying saucers and ultimately launched a full-scale assault on the planet's nations.
cross cultural issue major The President and some of his trusted advisors kept on chalking up the Martians' acts of hostility to cultural misunderstandings. In one such example, they interpreted the Martian ambassador disintegrating a dove with his ray gun as a sign that the Martians consider the dove to be a symbol of war, instead of a symbol of peace.
decision making in the face of uncertainty major Mixed messages from the Martians (i.e. they insisted that the came in peace but committed a massacre and made other attacks) left the President struggling over whether to continue engage peacefully with the Martians or to launch a counter attack.
diplomacy vs. force major Mixed messages from the Martians (i.e. they insisted that the came in peace but committed a massacre and made other attacks) left the President struggling over whether to continue engage peacefully with the Martians or to launch a counter attack.
first contact major Much was made of Martians arriving on Earth and the President's science aides even set up a first contact meeting with the Martian ambassador and his minions, but it turned into bloodbath.
Martian extraterrestrial major Large-headed, green Martians made a bid to conquer the Earth.
romantic love major The divorces Byron and Louise were rekindling their relationship. Professor Donald Kessler's disembodied head and Nathalie's head on the body of a chihuahua fell head over heels for each other.
war major The Martians launched a full-scale invasion of the United States, and Earth more generally.
alcohol abuse minor Barbara participated in an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
alien abduction minor The Martians abducted both the variety show host Nathalie Lake and Professor Donald Kessler.