MovieChat Forums > Mars Needs Moms (2011) Discussion > Bad title

Bad title

posted 11 years ago by mikexx
3 replies | jump to latest

Given that many bad films go on to become blockbusters anyway, I can't help but conclude that the choice of title had a lot to do with the disaster:

1) It's derivative of other "Mars..." and "X needs Y" titles, meaning that the reflexive instinct of the casual browser of movie listings is that the film will be, at best, equal to, but more likely worse than, the other films he think is being referenced. If his opinion of "Mars Attacks!" was "myeh", then this gets a pass.

2) No movie with the word "Mom" in its title has ever done that well. There are few words in the English language less likely to push the average person's entertainment button hard enough to prompt them to get up and drive to a theater.

3) ____________

[–] xsi-33-607086 9 years ago

Couldnt agree more. What kind of lousy executive would consider "mars needs moms" to be a good title? Even something half lame like "escape from the red planet" would have been a million times better. or $150 million times better wink wink

[–] persen1 8 years ago

Even something half lame like "escape from the red planet" would have been a million times better. or $150 million times better wink wink

Then they would have to call it "Escape From the Brownish/Reddish Planet", if they had to keep it correct for the kids, since the surface of Mars does not have a color that can be designated to one specific color.

[–] CromeRose 8 years ago

2) No movie with the word "Mom" in its title has ever done that well.

I do believe that Mr Mom, starring Michael Keaton and Terri Garr was a huge hit back in the 80s.