Movie Review : John Carter 3D

For a $250 million movie to be tracking just a 30 million was shocking and soon after named Walt Disney’s huge disaster. I’ve been wondering that what is the reason of this unexpectedly flop. In fact I watched John Carter 3D at an IMAX 3D and figured out what was the reason.

First I think you should watch trailer.

As you can see, (also believe that you agree with me) trailer was awesome. As matter of course trailer is trailer and do not overwhelm your first feeling after watching this trailer.

The Movie is based on the novel, considered a classic example of 20th century pulp fiction. Princess of Mars, it is called, and this series has inspired great number of well-known science fiction writers in the 20th century.

First opinion: Since it is 250million worth film, Walt Disney expected huge box office hit and profit. Perhaps they were depending on original novel fame and thought this would lead this movie up to the top. Obviously Walt Disney has run some marketing works in order to insure their success. But not much. They’ve released first 10 minutes of the film just two days before the film debuted, to gain viewers attention.

Very promising isn't it? But it wasn’t enough I suppose. The result was disastrous as I mentioned above.

Plot: John Carter is an American Civil War soldier who gains superhuman powers due to Mars gravity. With cause sudden event he is transported to the planet Barsoom (Mars) for there are bigger problems awaiting his arrival. Carter is caught in a conflict of epic sorts between two humanoid race Red and Blue Martians. Also the green skinned warlike nomads called Tharks are in middle of the war. It is only matter of time that Carter acknowledges the need for being blessed with all that superhuman powers -- he's got to save the locals as well as Planet Mars from its destruction.

Positive Sides: 

With no doubt, Walt Disney has really considered on 3D effect and did great job I think. Whole design structure is great and definitely you feel great 3D adventure. I should mention some characters as the Martian dog Woola, John Carter's ugly but cute pet, as well as Tars Tarkas leader of warlike race called Tharks. Also Zodangan's moving city, the dragonfly-like aircraft were good enough to mention as positive side.

Criticism:

Despite some impressive CGI battle scenes, and fantastic creature design, the story itself feels episodic , predictable and kind a boring , with Carter repeatedly being captured and escaping over and over again as well rescuing Princess Dejah from falling from the sky. It happened 3or 4 times I recall and it felt like Dejavu. In the beginning of the movie it takes far too long to bring Civil War veteran Carter to red planet Barsoom. Furthermore, bad-ass and boss like characters are get kicked their asses very easily. Within a second, Carter can cut them in halves. These are fixable mistakes among many, many more. Ending is too quick like main build-up is too long and they had to end the movie in hurry. Narrator speaks about 3-4 min and movie ends. That was weird and kind of disappointing.

 

Overall: It is almost obvious to me that John Carter became box office flop. Because of lack of marketing and disappointing plot (except for 3D effect). Besides premiering with many other cool movies at the same time wasn’t good choice indeed.  At least it didn’t reached my expectation. 5 out of 10.