Esteva - Mars Attacks

   

   In Tim Burton's movie Mars Attacks! He satirizes many aspects of the American culture, such as the government, the military, and others that the audience can see as the film develops. When the government first becomes aware of the presence and soon arrival of the Martians, an unknown form of life, to earth Tim Burton uses the many stereotypes to make fun of the different elements that conform the country. For instance General Decker represents the most common stereotype of the military – everything can be solved with violence. In that same scene Tim Burton satirizes the president by representing that common belief that people with this job never make any decisions, other people always tell them what to do and when to do it. 

      In the scene were the Martians finally arrive to earth Tim Burton is also clearly making fun of the government. They are receiving these beings to their territory without any clear confirmation of what their intentions are. They take their arrival as major incredible event, it extends to the point that they even bring cameras so the rest of the world can see their “guests,” and also let a big audience of hippies stay in the location. Again, all of these without any substantial proof that the Martians are coming in peace. Overall, I think this entire scene shows how the government can discard everything if they have a little bit of hope that something is going to make them look good to the rest of their country and the world.

       Throughout the film Burton also satirizes capitalism. The best example of this is Art Land. His only care in the world is money. Even when the Martians are destroying the entire country he is to busy to notice because he is trying to get investors to what he thinks is going to be his biggest achievement, his hotel. Nevertheless, in just seconds one can see how he’s dreams, and himself, end up completely crushed after Martians attacked his hotel. 

     One could say Mars Attacks! Is a nothing but a mock of what constitutes America. In each scene Tim Burton makes an effort to make fun of at least one little aspect of the country, he even goes to the extent of satirizing sci-fi which could be considered as a very important and popular movie genre for the American population.