Having discovered that dead bodies are being brought back to life, a secret agency takes on two Martian factions and also Weres, Mummies in Damon Foster’s ridiculously wild Of Mummies and Martians.
Prior to reviewing the DVD release “Of Mummies and Martians,” our first brush with Damon Foster‘s work was a delightful surprise. In 2020, the veteran filmmaker, who has been making movies since at least the early ’80s, resurfaced with newfound vigor following renewed interest in his earlier efforts such as “Martyr X,” “Androidman,” “Shaolin vs. Terminator” and “Ultra Cyborg.”
When we received the DVD emblazoned with eye-catching lobby card-style posters, our expectations were left adrift in anticipation of where this would all lead. But nothing could have prepared us for what transpired over its brief 90-minute runtime.
“Of Mummies and Martians” is not bound by any conventional notion of narrative and instead stitches together laughter, nods of recognition, bewildered head-shakes and just plain dumbfoundedness. From an initial outbreak of zombies within a scientific compound to intervention by enigmatic Purple Lin Kui agents led by flamboyantly villainous Senator Orville Orangeman (played with eccentric flair by Rob Heman), the story embarks on a riotous odyssey.
Foster leads an eclectic ensemble through a kaleidoscope of absurdity as multiple characters including pint-sized Pinhead alongside irreverent Bruce Liar culminating in a cosmic showdown aboard a Martian spaceship that crashes into Earth during its second orbit around the sun. Yes, you read that correctly: The enigmatic Senator Orangeman is revealed to be from Mars, sending the plot careening into previously uncharted realms of interplanetary intrigue.
Between clashes among Martian factions and the return of Nosferatu now with an insatiable taste for unusual sustenance “Of Mummies & Martians” spins a yarn involving ancient Egyptian secrets, mummified malevolence and intergalactic unrest.
To be sure, the film’s frenetic pace and myriad subplots might prove too much for some viewers. Yet that is its oddball appeal. “Of Mummies & Martians” is a cinematic roller-coaster that refuses to follow the rules and challenges audiences to embrace its unapologetic quirkiness.
“Of Mummies and Martians” begins with an aesthetic that pays homage to classic 1950s B-movies, evoking figures such as William Grefe or Ed Wood. But its use of visual effects though often rudimentary and seemingly gratuitous adds a whimsical element. From green screens in mundane settings throughout to stop-motion sequences reminiscent of Ray Harryhausen’s iconic works, the movie embraces a self-aware campiness that blurs the line between homage and irreverence.
Throughout our viewing experience we asked ourselves: Is “Of Mummies and Martians” a tongue in cheek tribute to cult classics like “Plan 9 From Outer Space,” or is it a deliberate exercise in kitsch akin to more recent fare like “Birdemic”? The inclusion of references such as the playful nod to Ed Wood’s “Plan 9″ with mention of ”Plan 8 from Outer Space,” just confounds this inquiry further. Coupled with performances teetering between hammy theatrics and wooden deliveries, the film wavers on the edge of being self-aware satire versus sheer incompetence.
That said, the “Making of” featurette lets us in on some of Damon Foster’s intentions. He admits that filmmaking has changed a lot since he last made one two decades ago. This makes me wonder what his movie was supposed to do. Is it a meticulously produced joke or an honest effort at art?
If we read it as the former, then we have to acknowledge how much work went into this thing. I mean, he did everything himself! He was every member of the cast and crew. That kind of dedication shows real love for a project, even when you don’t have many resources to work with.
In the end, “Of Mummies and Martians” is probably best enjoyed by people who like things that are intentionally bad or at least don’t mind putting up with them for a laugh. It may get some chuckles here and there (both on purpose and not). But if you’re someone who expects their movies to be a little more highbrow than this, well you might want to lower your standards just this once. Save it for a drunken night with friends or something; you never know when its weirdness will come in handy among intoxicated company.
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