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Miniatures Adventure => VSF Adventures => Topic started by: Faust23 on March 10, 2012, 07:54:35 AM

Title: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Faust23 on March 10, 2012, 07:54:35 AM
Frakkin AWESOME!

I've been waiting 20 years for this, and it nailed it!  :-* :-* :-*

Andrew Stanton is a big fan, since childhood, and he did a remarkable job of capturing so much scope and bringing it all together in a well crafted, well acted, and beautifully illustrated epic.

Enjoy!
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Slayer on March 10, 2012, 10:05:49 AM
good to hear, going on Tuesday. Never read the books so no expectations
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Captain Blood on March 10, 2012, 10:15:11 AM
Here's the review in yesterday's Guardian...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/mar/08/john-carter-review

Safe to say Guardian film critic, Peter Bradshaw, didn't like it  ;)
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: OSHIROmodels on March 10, 2012, 10:56:18 AM
nah, I reckon Peter Bradshaw is still sitting on the fence.....

"so stultifying, so oppressive and so mysteriously and interminably long that I felt as if someone had dragged me into the kitchen of my local Greggs (UK bakery), and was baking my head into the centre of a colossal cube of white bread"

 lol lol lol

Got his head up his own bum a bit hasn't he  :?

I never really listen to critics anymore. If I like the look of it I'll watch it.

Remember, Barry Norman slammed the original Star Wars  ;D

cheers

James
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Captain Blood on March 10, 2012, 11:13:12 AM
True... All true  lol
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Andym on March 10, 2012, 12:06:32 PM
Me and my goodlady won a competition from Orange last week to see an advance screening of this and came out feeling underwhelmed! It starts off great! Good ship battle which i thought was going to set the tone for the film (just what i was hoping for!) Great 3D! Brilliant idea for a story but felt it never delivered by the end. :(

The two leads in it are sooo boring! Good looking but boring! The best characters in the film are the computerised ones(the wee dog/alien is hilarious). I don't know, I may have expected too much of this film after seeing the trailer. 7.0 out of 10 and that's because the special effects and 3D are really good!
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Faust23 on March 10, 2012, 05:11:09 PM
Here's the review in yesterday's Guardian...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/mar/08/john-carter-review

Safe to say Guardian film critic, Peter Bradshaw, didn't like it  ;)

Yeah, well Cap, I think he's clueless.  My wife was skeptical going in.  Within the first 5 minutes she was hooked.  I loved it.

Go read Capone's review at Ain't it Cool News.  His is the most accurate review of the 8 or 9 that I've read.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Dewbakuk on March 10, 2012, 08:48:17 PM
Been to see it today. I liked it, I saw the 2d version as the others don't like 3d films. It drags a little in the middle but I didn't mind that and enjoyed the film. The others however were less impressed...
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Marine0846 on March 11, 2012, 01:50:32 AM
I plan to go see it this week.
Been waiting years for soone to film it.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: coggon on March 11, 2012, 02:56:02 AM
An acquaintance who saw it last night gave the following review:

"Too much jumping"
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: aecurtis on March 11, 2012, 03:51:10 AM
Jumping was OK, although the speed was accelerated (but consider the moans otherwise, that the jumping was sooo sloooow!).

Saw it yesterday; loved it.  Wonderful CGI, breathtaking scenery.  Airships tip-top, Tharks done superbly.

Allen
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Gary Mitchell on March 11, 2012, 05:14:54 AM
I endorse too. Good rendition.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: CPT Shanks on March 11, 2012, 06:11:10 AM
I'm going with Hells Yeah! I found it fascinating. For me this was better than Star Wars. Go see it.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: YPU on March 11, 2012, 11:26:49 AM
Bad reviews had me planing to not go, but hearing you lot go on about it like this changed my mind, not sure if its even out here yet.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: chantyam on March 11, 2012, 11:37:27 AM
May just wait on the DVD coming out
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: The_Beast on March 11, 2012, 12:29:20 PM
I certainly enjoyed it; did as well as can be expected by source, white apes not withstanding.

I didn't go all wobbly, mind you. However, I'm not concerned about how much was spent on producing it. I was satisfied with what I spent going into the theatre. Good romp all around.

I will say, had a bit of problem with the whole 'how can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all...', but I think I've got that sorted out.

I shall probably go again, may even give the 3D a try.

Doug
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Jonas on March 11, 2012, 03:50:29 PM
My wife and I are going next week. It is so rare that we go to the theatre, so I really look forward to this movie.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Faust23 on March 11, 2012, 04:41:01 PM
John Carter is a great date movie.  I've told my wife several times over the years that she's my Dejah Thoris.

Now she has context to what that means.  And Lynn Collins nailed the role.  She wore too many clothes.....that's my only complaint.

I'm going to try it in 3D.  The funny part is, you realize just how much Lucas ripped ERB off for Star Wars....

Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Mr Evil on March 11, 2012, 11:37:16 PM
Was a good open ended film loved some of the designs , costumes and ideas, my Lady and I enjoyed it :) i would go see it again, i didn't feel the £d added anything to the film in fact i forgot it was 4d for much of the film, but then i see 3D as a gimmick to push the price up.

I did leave asking one question,,, where is the john carter toy range ??? be great to grab some and convert ;)

Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Skrapwelder on March 11, 2012, 11:51:50 PM
I read a few places on the web that because of the lack of broad market appeal for the Pirates of the Caribbean toys Disney would only be producing limited collectibles for collectors markets.
If the movie is a box office success and sequels get a green light we may see toys in the future, who knows.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: ZuluPaul on March 12, 2012, 12:15:32 AM
Saw it today & really enjoyed it. Certainly not totally loyal to the books but a ripping good yarn. Wife liked it also. Thought they nailed the Tharks perfectly.  :)
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: goon3423 on March 12, 2012, 01:11:57 AM
Just saw it in Imax 3-D with the wife & the boy, we all enjoyed it! Not 100% faiithful to the books but it's a fun time at the movies! 3-D was great by the way.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Alfrik on March 12, 2012, 01:52:16 AM
The Mrs and I watched, enjoyed it and give it thumbs up. It will be in our DVD film library when its available. Especially loved the interpetation of the Tharks.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: DFlynSqrl on March 12, 2012, 01:56:30 AM
I saw it yesterday with a couple of friends who had no idea about the character or the books.  They both enjoyed it.  I did as well.  Woola was certainly a favorite.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Faust23 on March 12, 2012, 02:18:31 AM
Glad to hear it guys!   :D
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Hairy Haggis on March 12, 2012, 03:43:26 AM
Zachary and I went to the movies last night to see "John Carter of Mars". I have read all the books and have been following the progress of the film for some time. I've really been looking forward to this film. The movie didn't follow any story line of any of the books,but it was a rousing GREAT time!! The movie held to the flavor of the books and had a good storyline in it's own rights. I loved the movie, and I'll be wargaming their story line soon. I just need to scratch build some fliers, and finish painting up my Tharks.
 
As ever
Colonel Hairy Haggis
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: mysteriousbill on March 12, 2012, 03:17:02 PM
Damn good movie, but I like this kind of stuff. I don't know if it will make the 250 Million it needs to break even.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Faust23 on March 12, 2012, 03:43:25 PM
It's already pulled in 100 million domestic + internationally.  It's marketing sucked so it's up to us fans to spread the word.  That's why I started this thread.  ;)
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: mpennock on March 12, 2012, 03:47:31 PM
I saw it yesterday and thought it was pretty good. There are some changes, but I can understand why they were made. Maybe now I can finish all of those Bronze Age figures that I've had lying around for far too long.....
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: FramFramson on March 13, 2012, 02:58:20 AM
Saw it!

Nothing stuck out as grating or terribly obnoxious (there's even a little winking joke with the audience about belaboured melodramatic speeches in Dejah Thoris' first appearance), which is actually more than I can say for most modern films like this!

As some people mentioned, Kitsch's delivery was a little flat, but when I say "a little" I mean that literally: it's a terribly minor complaint and doesn't really detract from the film. And sometimes it actually kind of just works.

I barely felt any of the mid-movie drag some people mentioned; the whole movie went by quite quickly for me. Even though I have yet to read the original books I could see where elements from later books have been patched in, but it's not too jarring at all.

That mostly sounds like a list of "Complaints I could have had, but didn't", so I will also add that in addition to an overall sense of fun the fantasy/sci-fi elements were played well without being overdone. I can echo that the effects and visuals were very good without being overdone. The characters are all likeable and serviceable in their own ways. Nobody stands out (except maybe Willem DaFoe as Tars Tarkas, as some of you have also mentioned), but they all do a sound, serviceable job. And that's actually pretty respectable.

All in all the movie is actually quite decent and a lot of fun!
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: surdu on March 13, 2012, 09:32:50 AM
I read all the books and enjoyed the movie.  My wife and kids have not read the books, and they enjoyed the movie.  I have a few minor quibbles, and I thought the tone was a little darker than I expected.  In the end, I think the movie was a good effort to bring the books to the screen.  It was way better than the typical Hollywood hatched job.

Buck Surdu
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Tars Tarkas on March 13, 2012, 07:17:06 PM
My name may be a clue to this, but I loved it!  Ad did my wife and son, who haven't read and re-read the books like I have.  Like any fan, i was wary of changing the story, but I can see why most changes were made and frankly the dialogue had to be drastically improved from the originals.  When I saw the green martian incubator I knew the source material was being respected, even if the baby Tharks should have been taller.  (Stop it, stop the geeky nit-picking!  OK, I will.)
And Lynn Collins was a hot Dejah Thoris!  I only wish the critics could get over themselves and stop rooting for an epic failure, because I want sequels.  (Chessmen of Mars would be nice.)
"Virginia will fight for us!"
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Jonas on March 13, 2012, 10:06:38 PM
So we just saw it today, I think it was pretty good and would love to see more movies in the series and I consider getting the books or comic-books....  My wives only comment was "It was long..."...
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Jakar Nilson on March 13, 2012, 10:34:15 PM
When I saw the green martian incubator I knew the source material was being respected, even if the baby Tharks should have been taller. 

But they were so cute and cuddly!

I saw it today with some friends and we all loved it. I was thinking the same thing at the same time, but it was more like "Oh my god! It's the incubator! And the ruins, they're like the description of those houses that Carter stayed in near the beginning of Princess! And..."
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Doomsdave on March 13, 2012, 11:53:52 PM
I still haven't seen any toys in my local stores though.  I am going to be angry at the dearth of toys. I can just feel it.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: zebcook on March 14, 2012, 04:09:00 AM
Saw it with my wife, a friend and his two kids, 11 and 10 (boy and girl). Everyone had a really good time, hardly noticed it was 2.5 hours, and nobody felt ripped off. Kids loved it. Old guys loved it. Wife loved it.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: tnjrp on March 14, 2012, 06:22:47 AM
I still haven't seen any toys in my local stores though.  I am going to be angry at the dearth of toys. I can just feel it.
I share your pain, but I do believe Di$ney didn't. If it the movie doesn't tank completely* maybe there'll be some expensive small manufacturer resin stuff tho :?

---

*) I haven't seen JC yet but it does seem us nerdy people (most miniature gamers, for one) have generally liked it more than the critics. Unfortunately I don't think John Q. Public even at this day and age gives a rat's hindquarters about what freaks and geeks go on about on the 'net...
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: aecurtis on March 14, 2012, 02:54:28 PM
I was surprised to see under "New Releases" in the bookstore yesterday several volumes comprising the eleven original Barsoom novels under the Disney Publishing label.  So they haven't given up on *all* the tie-ins.  There were also new releases of "not authorized by the EB estate" books in the section.

Allen
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Dr DeAth on March 14, 2012, 11:13:11 PM
Just got back from seeing the film, I've not read the books so can't comment on the 'accuracy' but as a movie and VSF inspiration I thought it was brilliant. CGI is excellent, fights and battles are good, didn't think it was too long either.  Lots of inspiration for terrain and other stuff too.




 
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Marine0846 on March 15, 2012, 01:48:53 AM
A fun movie.
I read the books years ago.
I think they pulled some of the better parts of a few different books into a pretty neat story.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Schogun on March 15, 2012, 12:34:48 PM
Saw it yesterday. I am a big fan, so I enjoyed it. Yes, the director/writer changed a lot of JC's back story (a lot!), but it still tracked okay.

What I didn't like was [SPOILER ALERT, although seen in the previews]...

...how high/far JC could jump. Even on our moon with 1/6 gravity, a man cannot jump 20 ft. into the air. Okay, let it go and accept that JC can jump a ways. But then he jumps hundreds of feet! Many times holding another person! I didn't like that at all.

Also, although Woola the dog-beast was cute, I feel this was a Disney mandate in order to appease kids.

Still, I would recommend it and would see any sequels. After all, it is John Carter of Mars.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: shadowking1957 on March 15, 2012, 01:45:43 PM
45 year long fan of the books, and waited and  was  overjoyed at the result, it worked and the guy who did it had a passion for the books it showed. The  green men and characters were brilliant and there out look spot on. the red men and the  clothing  etc again wonderful and felt at home. Woola was the show stealer  amazing character for a  martian Dog. the battles were  again out of the books. The princess well she should have had a bit less on but great beautiful woman. Tars tarkus and sola perfect, and carter was John carter for me... Oh and kanto kan wonderful  and the actor spot on.

Recomended  movie for all and my greem martians and red men will be onthe table top to celibrate...

Tony
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Sterling Moose on March 17, 2012, 01:27:29 PM
Saw it last night with chairface and another guy from our gaming group.  Thoroughly enjoyed it, good battle scenes, great Tharks all, lots of gaming and modelling ideas.  The cinema was pretty full for a movie that was spanked by the critics - what do they know anyway?  Saw it in IMAX 3D but would have been just as happy to see it 'normal', sometimes the action sequences don't translate well into 3D and give a false perspective, and me a headache!

I see demand for figures increasing so Bronze Age Miniatures, RAFM and Brigade Games better start ramping up those casting machines!!
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Chairface on March 18, 2012, 12:32:35 PM
Saw it last night with chairface and another guy from our gaming group.  Thoroughly enjoyed it, good battle scenes, great Tharks all, lots of gaming and modelling ideas.  The cinema was pretty full for a movie that was spanked by the critics - what do they know anyway?  Saw it in IMAX 3D but would have been just as happy to see it 'normal', sometimes the action sequences don't translate well into 3D and give a false perspective, and me a headache!

I see demand for figures increasing so Bronze Age Miniatures, RAFM and Brigade Games better start ramping up those casting machines!!
`

My biggest dissapointment is that Dejah Thoris spent the entire movie clothed, but it was a Disney movie after all.  ;) An excellent movie, very well done. I will be buying the dvd. There was a lot of inspiration for VSF gaming and terrain making. Tin Man miniatures has a 30% off sale on until April 1 by the way

http://tinminis.com/
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: The_Beast on March 18, 2012, 12:58:12 PM
`

My biggest dissapointment is that Dejah Thoris spent the entire movie clothed, but it was a Disney movie after all.  ;) An excellent movie, very well done. I will be buying the dvd. There was a lot of inspiration for VSF gaming and terrain making. Tin Man miniatures has a 30% off sale on until April 1 by the way

http://tinminis.com/

I see the adult section is reduced as well, allowing you to game around your disappointment.  lol

Truth be, a non-NC17 (or whatever you folks up there call it) version is about required. I was more disappointed with the Disney-ized pup, and that only mildly.

Soft in my old age...

Doug
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Leapsnbounds on March 18, 2012, 03:11:29 PM
 I had read all the John Carter books when I was 12.  The Venus books came later.  I thought the movie captured the essence, the Romance, and the mystery of the Mars books that so captivated me when I was a boy. (Alright pre-pubescient teenager). It certainly had "Princess of Mars" with Tracy Lords beat.
 I hope that there is a sequel.  It just might get into gaming this once again.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: THE CID on March 19, 2012, 05:17:48 PM
Hi  Ive just put a set of John carter comics on Ebay, if any members are interested, I will give a good discount. Just PM me. THE CID.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290685797595?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Matakakea on March 19, 2012, 05:47:52 PM
I finally managed to see the movie yesterday and throughly enjoyed it. There were some nice ideas for figures, just a pity the licencing fees would probably be too high to make worth while.
My only complaint was the trailer for Spiderman. I've never seen Imax before and there should have been a health warning for thoses of us with vertigo :o
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Dr Mathias on March 20, 2012, 02:25:18 AM
Watched it tonight. I go to a movie in the theatre about once a year, if that (wife and kid out of town!)

I haven't read the books but being a fan of VSF I was somewhat aware of the story, as it crops up in various places like League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Frazetta artbooks. I really enjoyed it and found myself hoping it outperforms expectations. The sky flyers and their control mechanisms are beautiful.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: THE CID on March 20, 2012, 06:59:33 AM
Hi  Ive just put a set of John carter comics on Ebay, if any members are interested, I will give a good discount. Just PM me. THE CID.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290685797595?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649


comics reserved.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Donpimpom on March 20, 2012, 07:05:14 PM
I'm an ERB fan, I went to cinema under a severe pessimistic expectation.
And gladly i had a good time watching it, my wife enjoyed the film even more than me.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Doomsdave on March 21, 2012, 08:19:42 AM
Not likely to be a sequel.  Disney reports it will take a $200M bath on the project. 
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Ramshackle_Curtis on March 21, 2012, 09:11:48 AM
John Carter was a bit of a bigot want he? He was upset that the civil war ended with the north winning.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: tnjrp on March 21, 2012, 09:15:53 AM
I don't know if that makes him a bigot but othewise his regard for life (or rather, lack thereof) in A Princess of Mars is downright chilling at times. He's supposed to be an eternal champion of sorts (probably did influence Michael Moorcock in that regard quite a bit as well) tho so maybe that explains why he's a right bastard.

The movie has reportedly motified this and made Carter something of a reluctant warrior. Although it's not source-faithfull, it'll make the movie quite a bit more palatable for me, I freely admit.

---

Oh, and in support of Doomsdave:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17442200
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Conquistador on March 21, 2012, 09:10:16 PM
John Carter was a bit of a bigot want he? He was upset that the civil war ended with the north winning.

Trying to avoid politics, not every Southerner was pro-slavery.  Many men from New England fought for the Confederacy because of a belief in State's Rights.  Just as many Southerners fought for the Union in the name of the "inseparable union" but were not anti-slavery.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Amazing-Civil-War-Little-Known/dp/1567313043/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332363814&sr=1-1

Who wouldn't be unhappy "their side lost" in a war?  The French in 1870?  The North Koreans in 1950's?  Oh wait, they think they won... Germans in WW2?   The Carthaginians? Austria-Hungary after WW1? 

Be serious, ERB was not pro-slavery and I don't remember John Carter being particularly any more a bigot than any other American (or Brit, or Frenchman, or Belgian) of his time.

Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Conquistador on March 21, 2012, 09:12:36 PM
I don't know if that makes him a bigot but othewise his regard for life (or rather, lack thereof) in A Princess of Mars is downright chilling at times. He's supposed to be an eternal champion of sorts (probably did influence Michael Moorcock in that regard quite a bit as well) tho so maybe that explains why he's a right bastard.

<snip>

The approach to warfare in the 19th Century was far more "pragmatic" (cold-blooded to some) in European and American cultures then currently.

Gracias,

Glenn
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: tnjrp on March 22, 2012, 07:47:08 AM
In the case of the book Carter, his "pragmatism" extends to saying more than once how he would willingly kill every Martian to protect Dejah Thoris. That sort of hyperbole sounds more like a psychotic mania than a pragmatic view to warfare.

Be serious, ERB was not pro-slavery and I don't remember John Carter being particularly any more a bigot than any other American (or Brit, or Frenchman, or Belgian) of his time
The only reference to real world slavery in APOM is something along the lines of "house negroes adored Carter" so one can assume he was probably not very cruel to them at the very least. But other than that, it's all speculation really (except if some mention is made in the latter books of course, have no precise recollection of them).

ERB probably wasn't unusually racist for his time although his books do feature a large number of rather degenerate natives (cannibals in Africa and the like).
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Conquistador on March 22, 2012, 10:25:55 PM
In the case of the book Carter, his "pragmatism" extends to saying more than once how he would willingly kill every Martian to protect Dejah Thoris. That sort of hyperbole sounds more like a psychotic mania than a pragmatic view to warfare.
<snip>

 lol "Love Sick irrationally - on steroids" - I believe that to be a fascination/"love"  ::)  reaction of the young/first time in an emotional commitment myself.  IIRC, and I may be wrong, wasn't this the first time John Carter was swept off his feet?  I got the impression he had little experience in matters of the heart {or gonads if you are cynical.} :o

Personally and unemotionally - I'd not hesitate to kill anyone or any creature that I felt was a valid threat to the safety of my wife or children or even nation but that may be an indication why I ended up in the job I am in currently.   :o  I only see John Carter differing in expressions for that era... perhaps being unsophisticated in matters between the sexes is a factor in his statements.  Or perhaps we read too much into such comments from our 21st century viewpoint...  ;D
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: richarDISNEY on March 22, 2012, 10:28:29 PM
I loved it.
Saw it twice already...
 :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Faust23 on March 23, 2012, 12:53:36 AM
I loved it.
Saw it twice already...
 :-* :-* :-*

I'm going to go see it again this weekend.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: tnjrp on March 23, 2012, 07:28:38 AM
Personally and unemotionally - I'd not hesitate to kill anyone or any creature that I felt was a valid threat to the safety of my wife or children or even nation but that may be an indication why I ended up in the job I am in currently
And perhaps you also, like Carter, contemplate a nice little genocide to round it all off - "Let's have no reservations, let's have clean sweep"?

But by all means, let's chalk it off as a sign of the times (of writing and/or supposed occurence, whichever you prefer) or severe infatuation - I'm still glad that it's (apparently) been left out of the movie.

EDIT: removed a line for being completely out of line and incidental to the issue. Self-censorship IOW.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Donpimpom on March 23, 2012, 12:02:01 PM
apparently we all enjoyed the film, but seems to be a failure in terms of finances.
maybe it's a film for genre geeks?

Sad thing is if JC film fails we can forget about more films on same genre, for instance a Carson of Venus film
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Faust23 on March 25, 2012, 06:16:36 AM
Just got back from JCM in IMAX 3D.  I don't do well with 3D because I wear glasses and there is a blurring effect during action scenes. 

My friends Bob & Drew hadn't seen it, and they LOVED it.  We can't understand why Disney dropped the ball on the marketing for this film. Makes no damn sense.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: ugsome on March 25, 2012, 07:16:24 PM
Good movie. My kids loved it.
It will probably be less cinema visits in the future due to 3D.
My eyes didn't like. Same with with my wifes.
If they continue to show some movies only in 3D then
I will wait until I can watch it at home.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Doomsdave on March 26, 2012, 12:07:02 AM
Saw it last week in 2D.  Loved it.  Disney did a good job even if it didn't hew precisely to the source material. It was my wife's first exposure to John Carter and she enjoyed it thoroughly.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: ushistoryprof on March 28, 2012, 10:16:43 PM
Saw "John Carter" this weekend with my son and it was much better than the critics would have you believe. It is not really the story line of the Warlord of Mars that Burroughs wrote-so once you get over that it is good fun film with fantastic sets and great special effects. I would love to see a series made but enless it does fantastic (like the Pirates series) outside the states I feel this is a doomed hope.

Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: OSHIROmodels on March 28, 2012, 11:16:28 PM
I must admit that Disney have really annoyed me about the way they said its their biggest loss ever, even before the first few weeks of showing it are over. Statements like this are just going to make the general public not go and see it and therefore make the loss all the worse  :-[

Dumb asses  ::)

cheers

James
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Donpimpom on March 31, 2012, 09:47:23 AM
I must admit that Disney have really annoyed me about the way they said its their biggest loss ever

Really? worse than Atlantis? they lost a lot of money also on it.
Maybe the VSF and Steampunk it's a doomed genre in cinema?
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: swiftnick on April 07, 2012, 09:11:20 AM
Saw it last week and loved it. The film of the year so far and the best film I have seen for a while.
I was enthralled from beginning to end. It was a real visual treat. The attention to detail was incredible. The only jarring note I thought was the sometimes clunky dialogue.
It's a real shame the way Disney have gone about releasing this film. Talking it up as a loss even before the film was out. Kind of puts a death knell to anymore which seems a bit silly as surely the next one would be a lot cheaper.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: luidinuovo on April 07, 2012, 09:19:58 AM
Saw "John Carter" great Film,try to find the Books in German but the price is to high,they start at 40€ and end at 90€ for a book  :-[.
The withe Apes are Cool.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Paddy649 on April 07, 2012, 09:29:16 AM
I know the industry regards JCM as a dog but.........for sci-fi heads is JCM better than Avatar? 

Just a thought!

P.S.  I did like Avatar but felt that the PC message being pushed down my throat confused the sci-fi elements.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Sterling Moose on April 07, 2012, 03:45:49 PM
I thought John Carter was better than Avatar.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: elysium64 on April 07, 2012, 09:15:48 PM
I thought John Carter was better than Avatar.

Definitely a +1
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: jscottbowman on April 12, 2012, 11:52:14 PM
On the whole it was a fun flick, saw it with my 8yr old son who loved it.

I wasn't familiar with the books, but like the period in general...

Things I didn't like - couldn't stand the ridiculous jumping... far too excessive, it just looked stupid and reminded me of that crappy Hulk movie.

Also the fight scene where John is surrounded by and kills hundreds of Tharks single handed... just silly and 'unrealistic', if its safe to use such a word for such a 'period/setting'?

Finally I found it odd that the technologically advanced 'humans' fought with swords, while the primitive aliens had firearms... WTF!?

Things I liked - the hover ships looked cool, and I liked the sinister controlling 'priests'. The love interest totty was fairly appealing too in a mature sort of way...

I'd give it a 5/10

Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: SBMiniaturesGuy on July 27, 2012, 08:20:16 PM
Ok, I'm a late starter when it comes to movies, rented it on On Demand cable -- I thoroughly enjoyed it! While, yes, the super jumping was a bit over the top, it did keep the movie flowing (in the books John Carter would jump roof to roof, but how long can you do that in a movie??). Overall, CGI and world setting -- phenomenal! Costumes, yes! Great actions scenes, both land and air combat. The Tharks were really well done and the flyers were really original looking. The super-blaster bracelet could have been done better, but then you find out later it's a channel for the 9th Ray super duper stuff. And I even liked Oola -- they could have made his face a little less dog-like, but it was OK.

I also liked the Therns and how they tied in Earth with a cross-world/cross dimension angle. In the original book he just passes out and wakes up on Mars after his spirit goes walk about. That was a pretty common deus ex machine for the 1930s -- you want the guy on Mars, or Venus, or the Green Star Planet, so just have them "spirit travel" or just pass out and wake up there. But I think people today are much more technology/explanation focused, so this new element to the movie helps the audience with the belief suspension important to buy into him being on Mars. Kinda funny, the old "It's mysterious spiritual powers" angle won't fly, buy people are just fine with the "It's mysterious alien technology" angle!

Overall a Two Thumbs Up. Other than the fact the studio wasn't very good at cost control and blew the marketing, I don't see why the so-called "critics" panned it. It was everything I want in a fun action movie -- great setting and costuming, cool world background, good characters, great action scenes that were over the top!! I'll probably get this movie on DVD, and could see a cool campaign game out of it pitting Therns against Humans across the alternate Solar System... 8)

Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Patrick R on July 27, 2012, 08:37:06 PM
There is a theory that Carter is in fact a mental projection created by the ancient Orovar to explore Earth in a distant past and found his way back to Mars.  And neatly explains the spiritual powers.

http://www.erblist.com/erbmania/tangor/aliencarter.html
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: SBMiniaturesGuy on July 27, 2012, 09:43:42 PM
Yes, but you can't really convey that in a movie like this today. Back when ERB wrote these stories people were all into mysticism and and seances, so that made sense. Now we're into alien technology to explain whacky plot devices. Same effect, basically, but suits our current attitudes.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: supervike on July 27, 2012, 11:24:34 PM
My kids got me this movie for Fathers Day, and I was very happy with it.  Fun story, paid good homage to the original source material and had great effects.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: magokiron on July 28, 2012, 03:18:16 AM
The critics really disliked this movie, but I enjoyed from start to finish (ok, there are some slow spots, but nothing grounbreaking. A lot of other financially successful movies are worst, and heartedly agree is much better than AVATAR).

It's a shame that we won't see any secuels.

That's Disney for you.

Best wishes.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: OSHIROmodels on August 07, 2012, 09:43:45 AM
Best. Film. Ever.

cheers

James
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Malamute on August 07, 2012, 10:48:59 AM
Best. Film. Ever.

cheers

James

 lol
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Cherno on August 07, 2012, 11:25:39 AM
Just saw the movie as well. I think it had too many different strange names of places, races and individuals to comprehend for kids ;)
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: The_Beast on August 07, 2012, 01:16:41 PM
Just saw the movie as well. I think it had too many different strange names of places, races and individuals to comprehend for kids ;)

When I was young, that would have just added to the experience; a blur of strangeness and wonder was what I sought. Any crumb of understanding only made me want more of the baffling to try and strain to work out.

Alas, the grandchildren live hours away, so they aren't around enough to ground me in how the young are now.

Doug
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Gibby on August 08, 2012, 11:28:51 PM
Bought it on a whim in Asda, watched it tonight with my girlfriend. We both loved every minute of it!
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Dr. The Viking on August 10, 2012, 10:52:52 PM
Still haven't seen it.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: OSHIROmodels on August 11, 2012, 12:11:40 AM
Still haven't seen it.

Slacker  ;D

cheers

James
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Leapsnbounds on August 11, 2012, 03:58:19 AM
I enjoyed the movie a lot.  I was saddened that it didn't do well at the box office, I dont' know why.  The movie really captured the books. I thought "they did a great job.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Miniman on August 12, 2012, 02:35:37 PM
I reluctently rented this on Blue Ray last night due to the bad reviews that it got when it came out.
I have to say that my wife and I enjoyed it. Not bad at all.

Now I never read the book so this was all new to me. I liked the idea behind all of it.
There are a few quirks in the story like how do they breath the atmosphere on mars?
Why can he jump like that?
I didn't think there was that much life on Mars?
With the teleportion part he could have landed anywhere in the universe so the story could have been updated to a more believable planet rather than Mars.

I know it's just a movie and I did like it a lot.
So where are the games for this?
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Penchour on August 12, 2012, 03:26:02 PM

There are a few quirks in the story like how do they breath the atmosphere on mars?
Why can he jump like that?
I didn't think there was that much life on Mars?
With the teleportion part he could have landed anywhere in the universe so the story could have been updated to a more believable planet rather than Mars.


Some of the answers are in the movie, like for the air, one of the green martian explain it's produced in devoted giant facilities (think "terraforming"). Of course, the (6 or 7 ?) books are giving a more detailled view of the whole process (like how the different attraction enable human muscles to perform such jumps), as well as some variations on the story. But remember it's been written during the 1920s ! Keeping the plot is one thing, endulging a few differences to come with a single movie that could match (well, try to) actual demand is an genuine thing. Now, the whole story being known as "Martian cycle", it would have been strange to place it anywhere else than on Mars, don't you think ? Ok, I'm pretty sure NASA's Curiosity won't find the remains of those civilisations on real Mars, but it's only (old fashion) science-fiction after all ;)
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: fastolfrus on January 07, 2013, 11:51:13 PM
Got the disc amongst our Christmas presents, but didn't get a chance to watch it until tonight. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Haven't read the book (although Glynis read it years ago).

It's a shame that the disc didn't have more special features - would like a "making of" type feature giving more on costume and sets, it looks to have definite possibilities for gaming.
Title: Re: Just saw John Carter
Post by: Red Orc on January 21, 2013, 03:01:39 PM
I agree; I watched it a couple of days ago and pretty much enjoyed all of it, though there were a few little niggles (like the sound effect for the flyers sounding like Star Wars jetbikes). But definite potential there, and it looked pretty fabulous.