John Carter (2012)

Post by **Primula Baggins** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 4:55 pm

Very little more and very much the same as what we've already seen, was my impression. Nor do the effects look more polished. My enthusiasm is lagging for this now.

Post by **Frelga** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 5:46 pm

My enthusiasm evaporated when I saw the actor cast in the main role. Reedy thing, and that thin beard does not help at all. Meh. This movie needs eye candy to sell. [/i]

Post by **Alatar** » Wed Feb 08, 2012 12:53 pm

Here's some new footage

http://youtu.be/_pMRf9-Yzko

Wed Feb 08, 2012 4:32 pm

"Our world is at war, and Earth is next."

What the heck are they on about? This is looking less and less like an adaptation of the book and more like something with some of the characters and creatures from the book, but no real relation to the story.

Post by **vison** » Wed Feb 08, 2012 4:46 pm

Voronwë the Faithful wrote:"Our world is at war, and Earth is next."

What the heck are they on about? This is looking less and less like an adaptation of the book and more like something with some of the characters and creatures from the book, but no real relation to the story.

For the luvva pete.

Well, I was never very hopeful and now I'm less so.

It could have been such a fun movie! I never thought it could be "serious", but it could have been fun like the first Indiana Jones movies or The Mummy movies, that sort of thing.

It seems to me that the story was just made for a movie, just the way it was.

Wed Feb 08, 2012 4:51 pm

It might still be a fun movie, for those who haven't read the books. I really can't say. But I have far too much of a connection with this story to be able to enjoy something that strays as far as this is appearing to. My only hope is that the trailers and such are grossly mischaracterizing the way the film will actually turn out.

Post by **Primula Baggins** » Wed Feb 08, 2012 5:15 pm

That's not an unreasonable hope, but we'll see. Mainstream reviewers probably won't help; they won't know the books and won't care. Fortunately there are always geeks who get sneak peeks and can warn (or possibly encourage) the rest of us.

Post by **Alatar** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:06 am

It might still be a fun movie, for those who haven't read the books.

Thats certainly my hope, and for the record this looks exactly like an Indiana Jones/Mummy Returns movie to me. But then I enjoyed Prince of Persia so obviously I have a very high tolerance for family action adventure cheese! And who knows, maybe it will serve as a further impetus for kids to pick up the ERB books. I know my son will be more interested in reading them if he's seen the movie.

Post by **Primula Baggins** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:20 pm

AICN's Quint visits the John Carter set and posts a looooong (and spoilery) report (so long I won't be able to really read it until tonight):

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/53465

Skimming it brought up some interesting details and some changes that will probably be controversial for book fans. And some heartening stuff; there does appear to be some real knowledge of the books involved, and respect as well. The changes don't seem to be based on ignorance or not caring, but on what is technically possible and sometimes on a more modern vision of the story, for better or worse. I'll probably have more to say when I've really read the whole thing.

(Quint says he's returning to The Hobbit next.)

Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:58 pm

Probably the most interesting thing about that report is that Stanton is planning to film The Gods of Mars and The Warlord of Mars as well. Interesting. A lot of stuff in there that I didn't like the sound of, but I'm not ready to completely give up on it yet.

Post by **Impenitent** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:33 am

Ahmna seeyit!

Post by **Alatar** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:34 am

I have to say guys, I'm really looking forward to this. I'm not a book firster (and am deliberately not reading till after I see this) but this looks like pure Flash Gordon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... R6HUkzxjR0

and King Kong all mixed into one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rf55GTEZ_E

Post by **Maria** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 3:20 pm

Looks good to me!

Post by **vison** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 5:05 pm

So this guy who's playing John Carter is from Beautiful SuperNatural British Columbia. He lived in Kelowna, and then lived and played hockey in Langley! He was going to be a professional hockey player but had to give up that dream due to an injury.

I guess I'll have to go see it now.

Post by **axordil** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 1:29 am

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/03/04/j ... e-preview/

Like the link says, a ten minute chunk of the film.

Post by **axordil** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:45 pm

Speaking as someone who only knew the stories vaguely and second hand, the movie was pretty all right. There were fast parts and slow parts, but the fast parts weren't so fast as to confuse and the slow parts didn't drag. The tone is respectful but not drearily so: the intent is not camp, but there are funny bits along the way, and they are played as funny bits.

One thing I AM convinced of now is that most movie reviewers are kinda dim. Many complained about there being too many funny sounding names to remember. There are roughly six that matter.

Post by **Holbytla** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 2:36 am

I almost went to see it this weekend.
Couldn't find the motivation though, for that or much of anything.
Plan on seeing it fairly soon though.

Post by **vison** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 2:28 am

So, one article I read says it's the biggest flop since Ishtar.

Sad, if true.

Post by **Frelga** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 3:35 am

Sounds like the critics are unhappy with it, but reviews on torc are pretty positive. I might go this weekend, if it keeps raining.

Post by **axordil** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 6:04 am

I repeat my previous assertion: most film critics are stupid. Maybe one in ten is bright enough to understand the fundamentals of film AND remember more than three names. That's not even accounting for the ones with tastes so narrow they can never be trusted to see movies in half the genres out there.

But more than that: anytime a big budget movie comes out, so do the knives. The parasites on the fringe of the industry like nothing better than a story of colossal hubris and failure, and they'll invent it if need be.