Went to John Carter today and it was an excellent romp.
It stays faithful to the source material while not being exact to the letter. There are changes to the story, but most of these were done to provide emotional context without massive exposition and to provided needed compression to fit within a 2 hour feature.
If you like swashbuckling and carnage, adventure and thrills on a grand scale this film is for you.
I want to share what an impressive film this is as well. I encourage people to see this one on the big screen. 2D or 3D. Either one will do. I really felt that Mars (Barsoon) and its alien cultures were seamless. It has a lot going for it as a standalone film. Though I'm hoping for a strong enough showing to support at least one more film in the setting.
As I watched this story, I considered that much of today's sci-fi owes a lot to Burrough's John Carter series of books. Both George Lucas and James Cameron, for example, must have read this series as young readers. Ironically, without both their film making careers this movie might not have translated as smoothly as it does.
In the novel, there was far more exposition about John Carter's state of mind, about why emotionally he was ready to leave Earth and make Mars his home, and about the cultures of Barsoom. They streamlined the story, and made changes that conveyed the emotional state in a more concise manner. There were things that were cut, but if they were added I am hard pressed to name what could else could be cut to allow additional material to be added.
I wish they had more John Carter merchandise. Where's the John Carter action figures, models of the Martian airships, the John Carter video game, and the Whoola plush toy?
I'd love to see this film. However, after reading this article a while ago I was hoping that one day a film would be made. http://www.badassoftheweek.com/johncarter.html (article has isn't kid-friendly)
I'd love to see this film. However, after reading this article a while ago I was hoping that one day a film would be made. http://www.badassoftheweek.com/johncarter.html (article has isn't kid-friendly)
Plan on seeing it either this week or next. I grew up reading about and drawing the denizens of Barsoom/Mars, so I've been highly anticipating the release of this film. I'm actually rather shocked and saddened to see so many people who are 1.completely unaware of this classic sci-fi, and 2. completely unaware of the fact that the creator, Edgar Rice Burroughs, is the same guy who made the very well-known, white man of the jungle...uh, y'know, umm,.....TARZAN?! Hell, some radio hosts were talking about this on Friday and didn't even know who ERB was - WTF, really?
Sad how people have let history and knowledge slip away to this extent.
Plan on seeing it either this week or next. I grew up reading about and drawing the denizens of Barsoom/Mars, so I've been highly anticipating the release of this film. I'm actually rather shocked and saddened to see so many people who are 1.completely unaware of this classic sci-fi, and 2. completely unaware of the fact that the creator, Edgar Rice Burroughs, is the same guy who made the very well-known, white man of the jungle...uh, y'know, umm,.....TARZAN?! Hell, some radio hosts were talking about this on Friday and didn't even know who ERB was - WTF, really?
Sad how people have let history and knowledge slip away to this extent.
:rolleyes:
So True.
I have had to explain that to people all week. I also point out that John Carter was actually Edgar Rice Burroughs first success.
Having read some Tarzan and some John Carter, and having seen many incarnations of Tarzan in film and on TV, I found "John Carter" to be far more faithful to the source material than anything that has been done with Tarzan. That is not to say that it follows it to the letter, they cut a lot of material out, and made some adjustments so all the parts still fit, and still have about the same emotional impact.
After having read "A Princess of Mars" just this week, and seeing exactly what was cut and changed, I think the changes made worked to create a wonderful two-hour epic.
I have had to explain that to people all week. I also point out that John Carter was actually Edgar Rice Burroughs first success.
Having read some Tarzan and some John Carter, and having seen many incarnations of Tarzan in film and on TV, I found "John Carter" to be far more faithful to the source material than anything that has been done with Tarzan. That is not to say that it follows it to the letter, they cut a lot of material out, and made some adjustments so all the parts still fit, and still have about the same emotional impact.
After having read "A Princess of Mars" just this week, and seeing exactly what was cut and changed, I think the changes made worked to create a wonderful two-hour epic.
So thrilled to hear this and SO looking forward to seeing it! I have been waiting most of my life for this movie! I first read EBR's Barsoom novels as a kid back in the '60's. Actually Tarzan was the least of his creations. There's also Carson of Venus and the world of Pellucidar... the world at the center of the Earth. In one of his novels, in fact, Tarzan journey's to Pellucidar. But John Carter was always my hero. And his books introduced me to another concept that was rather novel in those days (novel... get it? heheheh) and that was the strong warrior woman who was the equal of any man and a man/woman relationship based on friendship and mutual trust and respect and equality. It changed my whole outlook! From that day on no lesser woman would do heheheheh (and I found her and we've been together for over 25 years!)
So thrilled to hear this and SO looking forward to seeing it! I have been waiting most of my life for this movie! I first read EBR's Barsoom novels as a kid back in the '60's. Actually Tarzan was the least of his creations. There's also Carson of Venus and the world of Pellucidar... the world at the center of the Earth. In one of his novels, in fact, Tarzan journey's to Pellucidar. But John Carter was always my hero. And his books introduced me to another concept that was rather novel in those days (novel... get it? heheheh) and that was the strong warrior woman who was the equal of any man and a man/woman relationship based on friendship and mutual trust and respect and equality. It changed my whole outlook! From that day on no lesser woman would do heheheheh (and I found her and we've been together for over 25 years!)
Rest assured that Dejah Thoris can hold her own and stays sexxy and femine and believably tough.
I have not had a chance to read Edgar Rice Burrough's stories, but I look forward to reading them. Some of my favorite authors consider this man to be one of their favorites too. I'm a huge Robert Heinlein fan, and he puts references of The Princess of Mars series in more than one of his novels.
Heard the movie wasn't so good. Got slaughtered in the box office. But so far I've seen only positive reviews here... wth?
I've been catching the poor box office analysis, too. As far as behind the scenes goes, the name Disney might have had negative impact on the overall production. But I'm also reading about advance screenings that seemed to have panned the movie in some circles. Some of today's analysis suggest the film had no redeeming qualities from the start. To which I have to firmly call BS and poke a stick in some peoples eye.
I would be thrilled to see this film bounce back in the face of the negativity.
Now something that does occur to me is that this film is released in 3D. As an unproven film series, that may be the real reason for film goers to look askance at it. I think the ticket prices are too darned high for 3D. I admittedly went out of my way to see it in 2D at a matinee. Once I saw how good the film was, I have intention to see the film again. Maybe even in 3D.
My first theory was that critics are rather out of touch, and as a result their opinions are different than the regular moviegoing public.
To me, I think the jury's still out on whether or not there's a huge disconnect between critics/film buffs and the regular audience. Not sure if that speaks ill of the critics.... or the people.
Poor marketing is responsible for the poor opening. I took my son to the film, but it was difficult to convince him to go based upon the trailers. I wanted to go because I knew what John Carter was, but to the uninitiated those trailers do not entice. They needed some trailers featuring Woola. My son loved the film, we agree that Woola is awsome.
Hopefully, John Carter will pick-up box-office steam due to word of mouth.
This is the first film I have seen in IMAX 3D, the experience was so magnificent that words do not do it justice. It will just have to suffice to say that i am going again this up comming weekend, and I look forward to other IMAX 3D experiences in the future.
Excellent movie, loved every moment of it. Going to get the book(s) as soon as I can.
As I noted above, the books are available for free download. If you wish to have a hardcopy, there are numerous publishers because they are in the public domain.
WarpVis you're a fountain of information! Any ideas when JC is coming to BluRay? Seriously.
I do not know when John Carter is coming out on Blu-Ray, but I signed up on Amazon to be notified by e-mail when it does.
As far as being a fountain of information, I am just enthusiastic. In truth, while I have read and heard a lot about the John Carter series, i have not actually read that many of the actual novels. i ran acros "Chessmen of Mars" about 20 years ago and read it, liked it, and put the series on my list of things to read, just had not had the real oportunity.
Then I heard about the "John Carter" film, so I decided to read "A Princess of Mars" and liked it a lot, then saw the "John Carter" film, and it has been a very long time since I found a movie experience so satisfying.
I just want others to now about this great film, and of Edgar Rice Burroughs' other great hero.
I do recommend everybody read the novel. While the film is very faithful, Tars Tarkus, Sola, and Kantos Kan have much larger roles in the novel, and there is much discussion about Martian culture. I find that the film and the novel complement eachother nicely.
In the novel, there was far more exposition about John Carter's state of mind, about why emotionally he was ready to leave Earth and make Mars his home, and about the cultures of Barsoom. They streamlined the story, and made changes that conveyed the emotional state in a more concise manner. There were things that were cut, but if they were added I am hard pressed to name what could else could be cut to allow additional material to be added.
Ah, well the comic of A Princess of Mars has been around for some years now, I suspected that the movie was semi-influenced by that as well then.
Went to John Carter today and it was an excellent romp.
It stays faithful to the source material while not being exact to the letter. There are changes to the story, but most of these were done to provide emotional context without massive exposition and to provided needed compression to fit within a 2 hour feature.
If you like swashbuckling and carnage, adventure and thrills on a grand scale this film is for you.
Ah, well the comic of A Princess of Mars has been around for some years now, I suspected that the movie was semi-influenced by that as well then.
The movie may very well have been influenced by those comics, by the comics from the 1940s, or from the newspaper strip before that. I was clarifying my statement that the movie was true to the novel written in 1911 when I said the movie was faithful to the story.
I enjoyed the movie a lot. It seemed well-paced, lacking any serious plot holes, and had a fantastic setting. Also, knowing that the source material is from the early 20th century puts a lot of other Science Fiction I learned to like in a new light.
Here is my problem: It fell in with a Bad Theme for movies lately.
What I mean by Bad Theme;
Cowboys vs Aliens... Horrible movie. I felt sorry for Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig and Olivia Wilde for getting involved in that... thing...
Outlander, which is basically Vikings vs Aliens, a B movie with a decent budget.
Now John Carter....
I admit, I know nothing about him other than the movie trailers, but I can't help but add it to the previous bad theme. Why?
I look at the trailer and see: Conan vs Aliens...
Comments
As I watched this story, I considered that much of today's sci-fi owes a lot to Burrough's John Carter series of books. Both George Lucas and James Cameron, for example, must have read this series as young readers. Ironically, without both their film making careers this movie might not have translated as smoothly as it does.
Not sure though, seemed Disney made it too younger age though..
A Princess of Mars
In the novel, there was far more exposition about John Carter's state of mind, about why emotionally he was ready to leave Earth and make Mars his home, and about the cultures of Barsoom. They streamlined the story, and made changes that conveyed the emotional state in a more concise manner. There were things that were cut, but if they were added I am hard pressed to name what could else could be cut to allow additional material to be added.
http://www.badassoftheweek.com/johncarter.html (article has isn't kid-friendly)
Now I gotta read those books first though.
Nice article!
And since you mentioned you were interestedCLICK HERE for FREE DOWNLOAD "A Princess of Mars" the first John Carter novel.
I do like Project Gutenberg
I recommend watching the film first and then reading the book to fill in the gaps.
Sad how people have let history and knowledge slip away to this extent.
:rolleyes:
So True.
I have had to explain that to people all week. I also point out that John Carter was actually Edgar Rice Burroughs first success.
Having read some Tarzan and some John Carter, and having seen many incarnations of Tarzan in film and on TV, I found "John Carter" to be far more faithful to the source material than anything that has been done with Tarzan. That is not to say that it follows it to the letter, they cut a lot of material out, and made some adjustments so all the parts still fit, and still have about the same emotional impact.
After having read "A Princess of Mars" just this week, and seeing exactly what was cut and changed, I think the changes made worked to create a wonderful two-hour epic.
So thrilled to hear this and SO looking forward to seeing it! I have been waiting most of my life for this movie! I first read EBR's Barsoom novels as a kid back in the '60's. Actually Tarzan was the least of his creations. There's also Carson of Venus and the world of Pellucidar... the world at the center of the Earth. In one of his novels, in fact, Tarzan journey's to Pellucidar. But John Carter was always my hero. And his books introduced me to another concept that was rather novel in those days (novel... get it? heheheh) and that was the strong warrior woman who was the equal of any man and a man/woman relationship based on friendship and mutual trust and respect and equality. It changed my whole outlook! From that day on no lesser woman would do heheheheh (and I found her and we've been together for over 25 years!)
Rest assured that Dejah Thoris can hold her own and stays sexxy and femine and believably tough.
Heard the movie wasn't so good. Got slaughtered in the box office. But so far I've seen only positive reviews here... wth?
I would be thrilled to see this film bounce back in the face of the negativity.
Now something that does occur to me is that this film is released in 3D. As an unproven film series, that may be the real reason for film goers to look askance at it. I think the ticket prices are too darned high for 3D. I admittedly went out of my way to see it in 2D at a matinee. Once I saw how good the film was, I have intention to see the film again. Maybe even in 3D.
To me, I think the jury's still out on whether or not there's a huge disconnect between critics/film buffs and the regular audience. Not sure if that speaks ill of the critics.... or the people.
Hopefully, John Carter will pick-up box-office steam due to word of mouth.
This is the first film I have seen in IMAX 3D, the experience was so magnificent that words do not do it justice. It will just have to suffice to say that i am going again this up comming weekend, and I look forward to other IMAX 3D experiences in the future.
WOOLA ROCKS!!!
Thanks for the link.
As I noted above, the books are available for free download. If you wish to have a hardcopy, there are numerous publishers because they are in the public domain.
Ran across these excellent reviews:
4 Reasons Why John Carter Was Surprisingly Awesome
Ignore The Critics: Go To See John Carter Its So Much Fun
John Carter The Greatest Movie You Dont Want to See
John Carter is a fun, well-scripted, original take on hundred year old science fiction
Disney's 'John Carter' movie review, trailer: Why all the complaints?
I saw it in IMAX 3D, and it was worth every penny of that expensive proposition. You've only got yourself to blame if you miss out on the opportunity to do the same.
Definately worth a look.
I do not know when John Carter is coming out on Blu-Ray, but I signed up on Amazon to be notified by e-mail when it does.
As far as being a fountain of information, I am just enthusiastic. In truth, while I have read and heard a lot about the John Carter series, i have not actually read that many of the actual novels. i ran acros "Chessmen of Mars" about 20 years ago and read it, liked it, and put the series on my list of things to read, just had not had the real oportunity.
Then I heard about the "John Carter" film, so I decided to read "A Princess of Mars" and liked it a lot, then saw the "John Carter" film, and it has been a very long time since I found a movie experience so satisfying.
I just want others to now about this great film, and of Edgar Rice Burroughs' other great hero.
I do recommend everybody read the novel. While the film is very faithful, Tars Tarkus, Sola, and Kantos Kan have much larger roles in the novel, and there is much discussion about Martian culture. I find that the film and the novel complement eachother nicely.
Ah, well the comic of A Princess of Mars has been around for some years now, I suspected that the movie was semi-influenced by that as well then.
Agreed. I really liked the movie overall.
The movie may very well have been influenced by those comics, by the comics from the 1940s, or from the newspaper strip before that. I was clarifying my statement that the movie was true to the novel written in 1911 when I said the movie was faithful to the story.
Here is my problem: It fell in with a Bad Theme for movies lately.
What I mean by Bad Theme;
Cowboys vs Aliens... Horrible movie. I felt sorry for Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig and Olivia Wilde for getting involved in that... thing...
Outlander, which is basically Vikings vs Aliens, a B movie with a decent budget.
Now John Carter....
I admit, I know nothing about him other than the movie trailers, but I can't help but add it to the previous bad theme. Why?
I look at the trailer and see: Conan vs Aliens...