Luke (an Oscar-nominated Paul Newman) is sent to a Deep South chain gang after smashing up some parking meters. Convict boss Dragline (an Oscar-winning George Kennedy) tries to crack the new inmate's spirit but Luke refuses to be broken. Reformed safecracker Donn Pearce based his novel and screenplay on his own experiences of imprisonment.

When Martians arrive on planet Earth, American President James Dale (Jack Nicholson) is persuaded to extend the hand of friendship. One of the President's advisers, Donald Kessler (Pierce Brosnan), has been studying the aliens, and is keen to make peaceful contact. However, the Martians gleefully fry their greeting party from Earth, and launch an all-out attack on the planet. Various celebrity faces including Michael J. Fox, Danny DeVito and Martin Short appear briefly before being zapped by the Martian baddies in director Tim Burton's quirky spoof of alien invasion movies.

Luke (an Oscar-nominated Paul Newman) is sent to a Deep South chain gang after smashing up some parking meters. Convict boss Dragline (an Oscar-winning George Kennedy) tries to crack the new inmate's spirit but Luke refuses to be broken. Reformed safecracker Donn Pearce based his novel and screenplay on his own experiences of imprisonment.