★
★
★
★
- Leaves A Lot To Be Desired [For rating system, see information tab at top of blog]
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Release Date: 9th March 2012
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Director: Andrew Stanton
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Writer: Andrew Stanton - Mark Andrews - Michael Chabon (Screenplay) - Edgar Rice Burroughs (Story)
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Cast: Taylor Kitsch - Lynn Collins - Samantha Morton - Willem Dafoe - Mark Strong - Thomas Haden Church
Review
As is common with a range
of Disney live action films, 'John Carter' is actually an adaptation. It came
from a story named 'A Princess Of Mars', first written in 1917 by Edgar Rice
Burroughs, the same man that brought us 'Tarzan'. When you consider that the
story of 'John Carter' was originally written nearly a century ago, the imagination
used in its production is something to behold.
The film is a
fantasy/sci-fi action production following the character of John Carter, an
American civil war veteran who is unknowingly transported to Mars. There, he is
confronted by a race of alien
barbarians, a war between two human factions and a princess in need of a saviour.
Unfortunately, I have
little to say of a positive nature about this film; it is weak in a range of
areas. The storyline is common to Disney, following the standard;
'unknown-hero-saves-the-world-and-gets-the-girl' dynamic. This predictability
is furthermore accompanied by a barrage of weak performances which are unrealistic
and somewhat stylized. The dialogue also lacks any imagination, and the
direction disorganised. Furthermore, the film’s
length, over two hours, leaves one feeling drained, and ultimately bored.
The single positive aspect
to acknowledge from 'John Carter' are its numerous action sequences, in which
special and sound effects, and editing are effective, but this in no way makes
up for the areas in which the film needs improvement. Due to the emphasis on
adventure sequences, 'John Carter' will attract the kind of audience that is
synonymous with action films - the pre-teen adventure-hungry boys. However, even
for this specific target audience, there are unfortunately, films currently
viewing that are far better than 'John Carter'.
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