That will be one tense Rube Goldberg landing in 2012. A failure would be very disappointing. Phoenix gives at least some hope that NASA has landing with rocket motors on Mars under control.

The way it lands is awesomely elaborate, for anybody who hasn't seen it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BudlaGh1A0o

Watch it in 720p!

You're right about the tense landing. The thing that makes it hard is this:

Phoenix mass: 350kg

Spirit/Opportunity mass: 550kg

MSL mass: 900kg