The problem with this mini series was that it was so FAR from the original book! Changing WHO took the trip and why. Making it all about environmental issues when that was not even close to what the original intent was made me upset. I am a big fan of the book and hate what the re-writer did to it. Also the sister wasn't even old enough to go to the school in the the book. In the book they were attempting to change the environment of Mars to make it like Earth. There weren't miners. The Father worked for the company not the Mother. Jim's best friend,Frank, skated home with him.The sister was home with mamma. The Red Planet was a charming book that dealt with nothing more than two boys letting their town know it was being left out in the cold for the entire winter. Just an attempt to turn out a PC story which ruined one that was already excellent.

Red Planet is based on the Heinlein novel of the same name Red Planet: A Colonial Boy on Mars (1949) and is a passable little 3 part miniseries with some very notable divergences. (But then when don't they change things.) Animation looks to be from the same group as was doing the Spider Man animated series at the time and is above average for its production values. Though obviously not a big budget work. Red Planet still looks good. Some minor spoilers may follow if you haven't read the book beforehand.The series follows the exploits of 2 young boys on the planet New Ares, apparently not Mars for some reason, and their adventures and trials in dealing with an increasingly corrupt and callous governing body over the hard working colonists. The series drops some elements and tosses in many more, such as cyborg bounty hunters, expanding on the desert water-seekers, and a side plot involving a cover-up. Along the way Jim, Frank, and a spunky tag-along little sister learn more than they bargained for about their little friend. Willis, a native creature capable of simple speech and very inquisitive too. And of course the almost mythical aboriginals wandering in the background.Could have followed the book more. But well done as it stands.

I was always a big fan of Saturday morning cartoons, any genre. My favorites were always Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or whatever shows based on comic books were currently running. When I was in the sixth grade, Red Planet came out. I liked the miniseries so much that I bought the book, which was written towards children of my age. I loved it. It wasn't the same as the miniseries, but they came close enough in imaginative scope. I think Heinlein would've been proud. Since then I've become an avid Heinlein and sci/fi fan. The film not only inspired me to read more, but it also inspired me to dabble in my own authorship. The worth of my stories has yet to be proved, but the therapeutic value is unmatched by anything else. I've seen the film again, after having read the book, and it is still amazing. This film is targeted at children, and is perhaps the best kid's movie I've ever seen.

Red Planet the animated miniseries based upon the novel by RAH is a mixed bag. I'd have liked it to have been more faithful to the book but it is pretty good for what it is. There is a lot to like and a lot to hate. The villans and action sequences are disapointing but the feel that New Ares (Mars?) has is quite nice. The alien "locals" are also well done. I wish they'd do more animated miniseries based upon novels, it would much improve the quality of animation on television.