Andrew Stanton, the Pixar mastermind that created such titles as toy story, a bugs life, monsters inc, finding nemo and wall e, brings his first live action picture to the screens with john carter. Based on the books by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the rich and vast source material would be a challenge for any director to bring to the screen but Stanton does well in establishing a believable world which carter jumps around in.
The story begins with our hero john carter as a war veteran in 1868 America being mysteriously transported to planet barsoom, that's mars to me and you. War is raging between different races as one race is planning to destroy all that stands with the help of the always reliable mark strong and his shape shifting villains. John carter inevitably gets caught up in the middle and is more concerned about getting back home to his treasure hunting hobbies, until being sidetracked by Lynn collins' beautiful princess who is trying to save her people.
Being on mars John Carter assumes supernatural powers of strength and a low sense of gravity, jumping hulk like from rock to rock. These are used effectively in the action sequences albeit not many of them, the stand out being a gladiator style fight with two giant alien apes. It all works but that's just the problem, that's all it does do. Taylor Kitsch stands his own and being a big fan of his in the excellent Friday night lights its good to see him having opportunities in big budget movies like this.
Its a relief when the story shifts to mars as the movie starts very slow in the period setting and does not take advantage of it by exploring Carters back story in depth. Points in the film being to feel familiar to other more successful pictures and in the end leaves you satisfied but wanting more. It has its moments of comedy and excitement but not enough to make this film rewarding or to warrant a second viewing.
3/5 Worth a watch
