John Carter, Grandfather of Star Wars = Awesome.

Profile picture for user dredwulf60

dredwulf60

 Member since: 2007
Location
Ontario, Canada
Forums
Community Discussion

Yes. The movie is Awesome. My wife and two little girls (12 and 10) loved it as well. Not 100% to the source material, but very reverent of it.

Hisham

I just saw it not an hour ago. I very much agree. Very reverent of the source. And at the end of the movie when "OF MARS" appeared a second after the "JOHN CARTER" title, I almost cheered. It's almost like an "Up yours, Disney" move by the filmmakers. If there's any complaints, it's that I think the character dynamic between Sola and Sarkoja and how it plays out to the end is much better in the book, but both were great in the movie.

Asok

Also, perfect mix of seriousness and humor. I rather loved it. Hated certain things, but loved much more than I hated.

I told my friend after the movie that when it comes out on DVD, I'm going to edit my own version by splicing together all of the scenes featuring Green Martians. lol

Boshuda

Asok

I hated pretty much all the actors except for Willem Defoe. I thought everything about the Red Martians felt hokey - the costumes, sets, etc. There were a lot of design choices I didn't like - the Red Martians looked too caucasian, their costumes too elaborate. The CG effects kind of grated on me at times, but really, I'm NEVER satisfied with CG effects. lol

The plot was strange and convoluted, too, though that's really less of an issue for me. I think just adapting the first book would have made a great movie. Oh well... it was fun, adventurous, and highly entertaining!

Boshuda

Asok

One thing I walked away from the movie loving was the main musical theme. So I've just bought a copy of the soundtrack for myself!

Boshuda

dredwulf60

I enjoyed the Red Martians myself. I liked their regal elvish-like style. The sky ships were wonderful, I think they captured my imagination more than anything else. Just the right blend of sci-fi with sci-fantasy.

I personally thought the green martians needed a bit more work. I understand wanting the image of Tar Tarkas to resemble the voice-actor Dafoe, but he just didn't seem dangerous enough compared to his rival; too skinny.

My beefs, and let me say they are really minor, because I loved the whole package;

Deja Thoris as a swordswoman to the point that she would be ready to tell a man to stay safe behind her. This eclipses JC for what he is; a consumate warrior. Coming from where he does, he could be suitable impressed that a woman knows how to hold a sword...and leave it at that. No reason to make her so good that she actually eclipses him.

JC's super-strength seemed a little bit...inconsistent. In some cases he can break chains easily, other times he has to work at it, others he can't do at all. In some cases he can kill a Thark with one punch, in others he gets knocked around. All can be explained away, but it's counter-intuitive for the casual viewer.

Dejah Thoris considers the wedding outfit distasteful? Doesn't actually say its too skimpy...but its definitely implied. Seriously? Coming from the source material that has them naked but for jewelry and harnesses to carry their weapons...

I would have liked to see JC a little more reverent of Dejah...he should be totally smitten and willing to do anything and everything for this most beautiful creature in existence. In the movie he comes across as being impressed, but mostly unconcerned with whether she stays or goes so long as he can get home. Plays better for a more cynical modern audience perhaps, but I was always a lover of classic courtly romance of Arthurian tales...and I gather so was Edgar Rice Burroughs from reading his works.

But...overall, great rendition of the tale, and a long time coming. Please make enough money to keep it going.

Asok

I concur. On pretty much all points. I noticed the super-strength issues too. And the jumping was a bit over-the-top at times. And believe me, I love super-jumping MORE than the next guy, so if I'm telling them to tone it down, it's probably a bit much!

And yeah, I actually wouldn't mind some sequels. Just please for the love of god fix the red Martians. I can't stand looking at them, they're so doofy.

Boshuda

Hisham

John Carter of Mars: Gambit goes to Mars and teams up with Silver Fox to battle Jigsaw's forces. Aided by the Green Goblin, they come to discover the aeons-old machinations of Sinestro.

dredwulf60

Kind of a non sequitur there...

Are you saying the movie reminds you of comic book characters? And if so, is that a good thing or a bad thing in your eyes?

Hisham

Well actually, Taylor Kitsch & Lynn Collins were Gambit and Silver Fox in the Wolverine movie, Dominic West was the villain Jigsaw from Punisher War Zone, Willem Dafoe played Green Goblin in Spider-Man and finally Sinestro in the Green Lantern movie was played by Mark Strong. :D