John Carter (12A)

Film

Science fiction

John Carter

Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5
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Time Out says

Thu Jul 21 2011

This sprawling 3D adaptation of ‘A Princess of Mars’, the first in ‘Tarzan’ creator Edgar Rice Burroughs’s epic sci-fi series about a civil war soldier who travels to the red planet, has all the makings of a monumental folly. It was absurdly expensive (rumours suggest upwards of $250 million), stars no one you’ve ever heard of (the voice cast notwithstanding), is based on a property very few outside the geek community are familiar with, has a wildly convoluted storyline packed with silly names and outlandish locations, is saddled with one of the least exciting titles in recent memory and was directed by a relative newcomer getting his hands on a major live-action studio picture for the first time.

Taylor Kitsch is John, a reclusive ex-soldier who discovers a secret portal to the planet Mars – or Barsoom as it’s known in the local language. There he steps into the middle of a war between the forces of evil, led by preening conqueror Sab Than, Prince of Zodanga (Dominic West), and the forces of general decency, as represented by philosopher-scientist-princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins).

Now, maybe there are legions of multiplex-goers to whom the words ‘Sab Than, Prince of Zodanga’ sound like a surefire bet – but it’s unlikely. And this is merely the tip of a hefty iceberg: chuck in some four-armed Tharks, some eight-legged Thoats and Mark Strong as an evil spirit and you’ve got an unholy mess. Luckily, thanks to some stunning visual design, a sense of wry humour and ‘Wall-E’ director Andrew Stanton’s knack with an action setpiece, it’s a very entertaining, unusual and loveable mess.  ‘John Carter’ could be ‘Dune’ for the 21st century – or it could be the next ‘Avatar’. Only time will tell.

Author: Tom Huddleston

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Release details

Rated:

12A

UK release:

Fri Mar 9 2012

Duration:

132 mins

Cast and crew

Director:

Andrew Stanton

Cast:

Polly Walker, Mark Strong, Daryl Sabara, Willem Dafoe, James Purefoy, Dominic West, Samantha Morton, Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Ciarán Hinds, Thomas Haden Church

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 3/5 (10 ratings)

  • It's supposed to be a lot of fantasy fun guy's, why do you all have to see what there isn't, its a fairy story guys, chill out and have fun, it's a good fun film.

    Lamps Wed Aug 29 2012
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • I went to see " carter" with my teenage son , he loved it , he doesnt get out much ! I sort of enjoyed it. For me...lynn collins is best thing in film......3 d is poor....very poor.......would i recomend it ? Only if you arr a sad lonely nerd......im just off to see it again !

    iceman2011 Sun Mar 25 2012
    Rated as: 2/5
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  • PS: I should have said 'Space King of Mars' because it more closely summarises the strange mix of earnestness and ineptitude in the film. Awful.

    Phil Ince Tue Mar 20 2012
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  • I fancied a big piece of cheese at lunchtime on Friday and went to see this film on the biggest screen at the Islington Vue. I was the only person in the cinema and I wish I'd made more of the opportunity to misbehave because the film was a terrible bore. Mark Strong and Lynn Collins are just right but everyone else is just dreadful. Ciaran Hinds has the head of a boggle-eyes terrapin and making him Space King really did the film no favours.

    Phil Ince Tue Mar 20 2012
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  • I kind of enjoyed the movie, but I got bored towards the end. It was a bit to predictable and long winded for me, if I been on my own I would have walked out, I was with my wife and she thought it was brilliant, I guesss you can't please everyone eh.

    Graham Tue Mar 20 2012
    Rated as: 2/5
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  • Well, as the intro credits and action happened with names like Tars Tarkas, Dejah Thoris (were did I hear that name before!) and stuff about the 8th ray and Isis, you may well be saying..."you wot!" but by 10 minutes in you'll be hooked by the roller-coaster story. Never dull, and great CGI. Lynn Collins makes a super warrior princess, and the Brit cast of Mark Strong, Dominic West and James Purefoy seethe menace. Rollicking good fun. Recommended, but for Sci-Fi buffs and fans of the cast only. Those who seek a meaningful art house movie, look elsewhere.

    Blaize67 Tue Mar 13 2012
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • Thanks for suggestions Alan and Ian. I'm a big fan of flat-o-vision and totally agree about the terrible artifically layered look of 3D (as well as the deliberate overuse of cinematographic effects such as parallax, abnormal depth of field etc to over emphasise the effect).

    Tony Mon Mar 12 2012
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  • For Tony, and anyone else wanting to see it in 2-D; we were told at our local Vue last night that they'd be having it in 2-D next week. I must say I'll be glad when 3-D dies a death again - my wife is partially sighted and the films look blurred to her. I'm fully sighted but think they look artificially layered. Avatar (and the trailers for John Carter) still manage to look stunning in both formats.

    Alan Mon Mar 12 2012
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  • Agree with the review. It felt a bit like Stargate to me. Saw the 2D version and didn't feel like there were scenes just thrown in for 3D. Was entertained despite the dodgy 'leaping about' effects near the beginning that sort of looked like he was dangling on strings from the waist. Oddly, it ended up seeming not as made-up as it did at the start, and enjoyed some of the humour, too.

    entertained Mon Mar 12 2012
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • 3* is exactly the right verdict - it's ludicrous, barely makes sense and the script seems like a bit of an afterthought, but also great looking, endearing and a huge amount of fun.

    Sophie Sun Mar 11 2012
    Rated as: 3/5
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