JOHN CARTER: Over 10 MINUTES now online!

[MekaGojira3k]

[lhb412]

I've been thinking about the opinions of the film's detractors for a little while now. I love the film overall, but I always like to investigate the criticism on things I like, often conceding that there is truth to them (spoilers ahead).


The main comment: the plot in muddled. My belief as to what this comment really means: there are two rather large subplots obviously meant to be continued in sequels which, now that they've been "orphaned," stick out. The first is Dejah Thoris invention and the concept of the 9th ray. This obviously is meant to build to something important, and that doesn't come to fruition in the film, leaving it all seeming like gobbledygook. The second is the true nature of the evil Therns, their desires, just what there whole deal is. The head Thern gives that little speech to John Carter, but that just isn't enough development.

... a little off-topic, but I have to say I love the fact that two of my favorite flops, Speed Racer and Scott Pilgrim, tell a complete story and wrap everything up rather definitively.

Anyway, solutions as to how these plots could have been resolved in this movie, thus making it less muddled and making John Carter a stronger film overall:

1stly: add another minute or two of the Thern monologue-ing to John. More than that, have a flashback showing the Therns causing the deaths of other planets and describing in more detail how the Therns feed off dying planets. Just more exposition and some strong visuals (Therns roaming over post-apocalyptic wastelands looking rather pleased with themselves) would clear up just who these bad guys are.

2ndly: Have Dejah Thoris' invention become instrumental to the battle at the end of the film. Have it turn out that she had perfected her weapon secretly while she was supposed to be in preparation for the wedding. Not only does this effectively bring a close to that subplot, but it also gives Dejah more to do in the finale, so it's a win win.

[Alpha OTS]

[The Shadow]

[mrbluehair]

[mr.negativity]

[tbeasley]

This could have been really cool but Stanton simply wasn‘t the right guy for the job. It was one of the most uncomfortable theatre experiences for me. You could tell the audience was just out of it half way through. It's such a long, awkward mess.

[mr.negativity]

Disney's rights to the John Carter series of stories have reverted back to Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. But does anyone want to buy it?

[mr.negativity]

Variety:

[The Shadow]

It would be great if Kerry Conran or John Favreau could get the directors chair for a new John Carter movie; they both seemed to have a great approach to adapting A Princess of Mars (ERB Inc. even gave Paramount a free extension on the movie rights when Favreau was working on the movie in the end.)

I'm torn on the idea of starting from the beginning again with APOM and doing an adaptation that sticks closer to ERB's story, or pressing forward and starting with Gods of Mars. Depending on audiences reception of GoM the studio could either jump back and do APOM or go on with Warlord of Mars and then jump back to APOM.

As far as whoever picks up the movie rights, currently I think it'd be great if Legendary could get the rights.

[mr.negativity]