John Carter Of Mars film Review

Written by visionPosted in BlogTags: A princess of Mars, Awesome, Disney, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Frank Frazetta, John Carter, Mars, TharksMarch 7, 2012No comments

We were lucky enough to get preview tickets for the Massive new Disney movie “John Carter” of mars. Based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs novels a Princess of Mars and lots of other ‘something’ of mars titles. We were also interested to learn that Mr Burroughs also wrote the Tarzan series so it seems fitting that Disney turn his vision of Barsoom into a movie. The stage is set for what could turn into a long running science and swashbuckling saga.

We were with a mixed group of all ages and unanimously we all loved it. While some among us were desperate to find something to hate the enthusiasm of the more die-hard sci-fi geeks among us won it for JCM. Personally I can say that I didn’t want it to end and would have happily sat through a bit more explanation of some of the plot holes and complicated story elements that were glossed over a bit too quickly. The CGI was flawless and the interaction between CGI ‘Tharks’ and human/martians was spot on. It really felt like they had spent alot of time trying to film as much of it as possible and using the CGI when it was impossible not to. We can’t stand those converted to 3D films that studios seem to think we want to see but John Carter can join the ranks of Avatar as a film you should definately see in Imax 3D cinemas.

John Carter sets out to make his fortune in the Arizona gold rush after the civil war. Attacked by Apaches, he takes shelter in a cave. a mysterious talisman projects Carter, to the bright red planet, Mars, in a time of War, a world of mysterious cities and strange four armed beasts.

Finally it feels like Disney has invested in a Science Fiction that reaches out and embraces its audience, giving equal measure of humour, action, romance and emotion. They really don’t make them like this anymore. The strong female leads almost steal the show and Taylor Kirsch is an excellent central character. The motion capture actors are incredible and its rare to feel such an emotional attachment to computer animated aliens.

Most people I have spoken to have no idea about this film which is a massive shame because it feels like this property really needs a good shove if it is going to enter peoples peripheral imagination. The posters seem to lack the style and composition of the original Frazetta style artwork. While the costume and effects department seems to revel in the connection with the original artwork the Promotional artwokers seem to have ignored this completely and either give too much away or don’t give enough. It is a struggle to find many pictures online but if they had just stuck with the original compositions everybody would be getting alot more excited about now.