Transmitting from a secret OSI base in Alberta, Canada, Bionic Bob and his Bionic Daughter have just returned from the movie theatre, where they watched JOHN CARTER.
Bionic Bob is a forty-something nerd who has read pretty much everything written by Edgar Rice Burroughs and seen almost every movie adaptation of his works.
Bionic Daughter is 11 years old and has never read a John Carter book, but her favorite movies are Avatar, Harry Potter and the Lion King.
Here are our thoughts on the movie….op2:
BB: Okay, daughter, what did you think?
BD: Well, I really liked the dog thingie!
BB:
You mean Woola?
BD: Yes! He was very funny and cute in an ugly way.
BB: Alright then, but what did you think about the actual movie?
BD: Well, it was very entertaining. The very beginning was a bit confusing, but after 5 or 6 minutes everything made sense. I really liked the big giant green things…
BB:
You mean the THARKS?
BD: Oh yeah, them! They are creepy but awesome. They have 4 arms, which is really cool. The visuals are amazing! John Carter is awesome because he is like a super jumper bunny guy who beats up lots of badguys.
BB: Interesting. Anything else you wish to add?
BD: I don’t want to give to much away, but the part where you see what happened to John Carter’s family was both sad and totally epic at the same time!!!
BB: So daughter of mine, what score would you give this movie?
BD: I would give it a solid 9 out of 10!
BB: Thanks for your input.
BD: Your welcome. Bye!
Let’s have a round of applause for my super kid! :clap2:
Now for my impressions of the movie. I know the reviews are all over the place, critics either really loving and disliking this movie. I can honestly say, for myself, this was the most
FUN I have had at a movie in a long time! This movie is just good, old fashioned epic matinee style adventure! I would easily put it on par with the very first STAR WARS movie or RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK!
Really.
In my book, it is that good.
Maybe better.
I have waited my entire life for this movie. I read all the ERB Mars novels when I was 10 years old. I absolutely adore them, especially the first 3 books, which I think should be required reading for anyone who calls themselves a fan of science fiction and fantasy. Written in 1912, the first book is groundbreaking on so many levels and inspired countless other storytellers, writers and movie makers. Without John Carter there really would be no Flash Gordon or Star Wars or Avatar.
But I digress, back to the movie itself. I found the movie completely engaging from scene one. This movie, while Saturday matinee in action at times, it is
not a park your brain at the door type movie.
You do have to listen and pay attention. There is a lot of information to digest, you are dumped into the middle of an alien world and bombarded with lots of alien names, titles and customs. It is not spoon fed to you. It can be a challenge, even to one who has read the books. But it is the kind of challenge I like and wish more movies gave me.
The look, world building, and special effects are some of the best I have ever seen. The CGI rendered Tharks are masterpieces! With in minutes you forget they are computer animation, as they seem as real as you or me.
The story is not a literal translation of the original novel, A Princess of Mars. It is more of a mining of all the best elements of the first three novels, crafting a slightly different narration but one that is completely faithful of the world created by ERB.
Some things, including one very key plot point, have been dramatically changed for cinematic storytelling reasons and I actually applaud these changes. They make for a much more dynamic and dramatic story.
There is one scene where John Carter and friends are being chased by the Thark Horde, and he has had enough and finally makes his first stand with only his loyal Woola at his side. This scene is CLASSIC! One of the best moments in any sci-fi movie ever done. It is heroic, inspirational and crushingly sad and heartbreaking all at the same time. It is one of many outstanding moments for me in this movie.
The cast is wonderful. Lynn Collins is a revelation as Dejha Thoris! From the first moment she appears on screen, she steals the movie with her magnetic personality and warmth. I think I may be in love! Taylor Kitsch, won me over as John Carter. I was leery when I first heard he had been cast, but he quickly makes this role his own with just right amount of pathos and integrity. The romance between these two characters is completely believable and brings much heart to this adventure tale.
Mark Strong and Dominic West as our badguys are great fun. This is not Shakespeare, they are not complicated characters. These are classic evil, power hungry, unredeemable villians. And they play their roles perfectly.
The movie on a whole completely works for me. I was smiling from start to finish.
Andrew Stanton has once again proved he is a master maker of movies, whether they are animated or live actions. This man knows story and he knows character.
I really hope the movie going audiences will take a chance to go see this movie despite Disney's horrible marketing campaign and embrace this movie for it's old fashioned adventure style because I want a sequel!!!
And maybe, just maybe, if this movie is a success, we can finally get a real Tarzan movie!
I give JOHN CARTER 9.5 out of 10!!! It is retro-sci-fi/pulp done to PERFECTION!!!