John Carter
The movie John Carter is based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs serialized stories on Barsoom (his name for the Planet Mars). During the 19th and early 20th Centuries, it was common to publish your stories in weekly magazines or newspapers. Only upon completion is the book format released. ERB’s first Barsoom story – published in 1912 – was called the “Princess of Mars.” Why Disney did not select that name is up for debate. Unfortunately, their choice of title and insufficient marketing are two prime reasons it is not doing well at the box office. Regardless, I would recommend any fan of science fiction to take the time to see the movie. ERB, better known these days for his Tarzan stories, was a prolific American science fiction writer who has influenced many of today’s film makers (including a young George Lucas) and science fiction writers (such as Ray Bradbury and Arthur C. Clarke).
This movie is not a faithful representation of the book, and for the most part, this is good. ERB, like many of the white upper-class of his time, could be patronizing and racist. As those views are thankfully no longer main-stream, they will not fit in a theatrical version released in 2012.
We learn the story of John Carter through his nephew – Edgar Rice Burroughs – and the diary he left behind. The basic story (without giving too much away) is John Carter, a Confederate Captain, is transported to Mars where he encounters tall green creatures, warring factions of humanoids, and god-like entities called Therns. John Carter is played well by Taylor Kitsch. However, I would never believe he was from Virginia for one moment. While Virginians do not have a thick drawl like Texas, they are still Southerners. Once I could get based that idiosyncrasy, he was fine in the part. Lynn Collins (Silverfox in X-men Origins: Wolverine) did a good job as the intellectual Princess, Dejah Thoris. She also was very good with a sword – would give Xena a run for her money. Willem Defoe and Thomas Haden Church voice the rival Tharks (green martians). The cast also includes Ciaran Hinds (Dejah’s father), Dominic West (the would-be ruler of Mars and groom to Dejah), and Mark Strong (as the manipulative thern). Daryl Sabara – best known as Juni in Spy Kids – plays ERB.
The effects are fabulous. CGI characters, such as the Tharks, fit smoothly within your frame of vision. The story is a nice mix of action, adventure, love, and loss. I’ve read some complaints about the story being “too old” suggesting something written a hundred years ago would have no relevance. If that were true, why do we still perform Euripides or Shakespeare? In this movie, the themes of self-destruction, greed, love, and war are still relevant. So, if you enjoy sci-fi stories, go, watch this movie, have fun.
