John Carter: A Blast from the Past on Mars
John Carter (Kitsch), a headstrong veteran of the American Civil War, finds himself transported to Mars due to a series of cosmic mishaps. He discovers a world inhabited by warring factions: green, four-armed natives and stately, tattooed humanoids. In this alien atmosphere, the Virginian unexpectedly gains superhuman abilities, positioning him to alter the course of Martian history.
A Century in the Making
The Martian adventures of Captain Carter have been a long time coming to the big screen, nearly a century in fact. In that time, followers inspired by Edgar Rice Burroughs’ work have significantly shaped the science fiction genre, borrowing heavily from the author’s best ideas. As a result, “John Carter” might seem derivative to viewers unfamiliar with the source material. You’ll see echoes of Lucas’ “The Phantom Menace,” Cameron’s “Avatar” (especially in scenes where the blue-skinned protagonist delivers a passionate speech to the natives), and even Snyder’s “300.” It’s best to set aside concerns about plagiarism and simply enjoy the film for what it is.
Surprisingly Wholesome
For a $250 million blockbuster, the film is surprisingly charming, even heartwarming. While battles rage and characters perish, the violence feels no more intense than the Ewoks’ rebellion against the Empire in “Star Wars.” Director Andrew Stanton, known for “WALL-E,” infuses the film with an old-fashioned fairytale tone from the prologue to the very end. After Captain Carter’s sudden death, his nephew Edgar (Burroughs, of course) inherits a journal detailing his uncle’s adventures on the Red Planet. What follows is a whirlwind of cowboys, Indians, aliens, gold-filled caves, bizarre monsters, and scantily clad sword-wielding beauties.
A Genre-Bending Adventure
In just over two hours, “John Carter” manages to be a Western, a peplum epic, and a full-fledged “Star Wars” adventure. Most importantly, it never loses the wonderfully outlandish tone that modern storytelling often lacks, a tone reminiscent of old Jules Verne novels or Burroughs’ own works. We aren’t burdened with explanations for why the hero leaps like a grasshopper or effortlessly defeats four-meter-tall giants. In this fantastical world, characters live in the moment rather than overthinking, making it a truly captivating experience.
Memorable Characters and Creatures
Even for the sake of the local “Princess Leia” (Collins), whom everyone respectfully calls “Professor,” even though she spends half the movie crawling on all fours in revealing outfits, it’s worth watching. And for dog lovers, the filmmakers have a special treat: a wonderful and loyal toad-dog that even the most ardent cat person would love to scratch behind the ears.