John Carter of Mars, part 02

Last Friday, my wife and I went to see John Carter in 3D. As anyone who reads this blog knows, it's something I've been looking forward to watch for the past few weeks. It was Lisa's first 3D film (mine was the Phantom Menace a few weekends ago); her first response after watching some previews in 3D was this:

"Why would anyone want to watch films in anything else but 3D?"

As far as I can tell, the movie combines elements of both Princess of Mars and Gods of Mars into one plot. (I'm currently reading Princess of Mars, but only about a third of the way into it.) I was very pleased with it, and I really can't find anything much to fault in it. 

The visuals were engaging: the movie avoided cheap 3D effects and focused instead on the scenery and the characters. There was chemistry between the two leads, John Carter and Deja Thoris. Besides being a science fiction thriller, the movie is a romance. The script gave them motivation for romance, and (in my mind) it was earned. For me and most everyone (I believe), the best part of the movie was the Tharks (Green Martians with four arms each). Regardless of whether you've read the Barsoom series or merely heard about it, the first thing you think about is the Tharks. And they don't disappoint in this film. Their CGI animation is expertly done, and you can't help but admire them whenever they are onscreen. The script hints at their heartless barbarism, without making them too unpalatable. (ERB makes them into real heavies at the start . . .) Their individual characters are distinct and credible.

And finally, the mysterious Therns ended up being good villains. They were both sinister and Machiavellian in nature. Their real agenda is hinted at, but there is always a sense that there is more hidden. At one point, their leader says that they are not about destroying worlds, but about managing their deaths. Also, there is an ambivalence to their portrayal -- it's not that they are evil per se, but rather more scheming and opportunistic in nature. Their technology and their powers make them seem god-like. Real nice big baddies . . . .

Seriously. Fun. Movie.

The first weekend box office reports are in, and it doesn't look very good for our film. But this can be attributed to the criminally bad marketing campaign that launched its release. And of course, the title doesn't help much. (Which is why I call it John Carter of Mars.) Please support this movie. Go ahead, treat yourself. See it in the movie theater. Maybe even in 3D.

Again. Seriously. Fun. Movie.

John Carter of Mars, Part 01

There seems to be a buzz developing online about the movie John Carter due to be released on March 9. The film is based on Edgar Rice Burrough's first Barsoom novel Princess of Mars. The story is about a Civil War veteran who is mysteriously transported to the dying planet of Mars (known by the inhabitants as "Barsoom"). He finds himself in the middle of the life-and-death struggle between Red and Green Martians for limited resources.

The film has been poorly marketed by Disney. Starting with the title John Carter. Only science fiction fans would recognize the reference. I just read today that the original superior title John Carter of Mars was rejected because it tested poorly with women (I guess). The Super Bowl trailer conveyed little to nothing about the film. But I saw the 3D trailer for it last weekend in the movie theater, and it looked awesome!