Disney's John Carter [DVD]

I still don't really understand why this film scored so poorly from critics when it was released or how they got the marketing of the film so wrong - many people have never even heard of this film, despite the fact it had a huge budget from Disney as well as some decent well-known actors involved.It's based around the character of John Carter from the novel written by Edgar Rice Burrough but absolutely does not require any previous knowledge of this or having read the book - it works great as a stand alone magical sci-fi adventure following Carter's expeditions to the planet Barsoom/Mars and is full of wonderful and creative creatures and alien landscapes that look awesome thanks to some very impressive and believable CGI. The story is engaging and easy to follow for kids/younger viewers, but with a decent amount of depth to it for older viewers to enjoy it in a more involved way beyond the spectacular visuals and interesting characters.It's one of my favourite sci-fi films to watch with nieces and nephews and I really wish the film had done much better at the cinema so they could have made a few sequels.

The first time I saw this movie was on Netflix, & I was pleasently surprised as I quite liked it. Then I saw it a second time on TV, & enjoyed it even more. Then I found out that the critics slammed the film, & that it wasn't popular with cinema goers only wiping it's nose at the box office. I find that incredibly hard to understand, as this is a good movie. I bought it on Blu-Ray to watch again, & I thoroughly enjoyed it yet again. I lent it to a mate (not telling him anything about it so he had no preconceptions), & he said it was the best film he'd seen all year.The CGI is spectacular for the most part, & the Tharks look utterly stunning. The story is great too, & the guy playing Carter does a damn good job. I think that this is one of the most underated movies of recent years, & that it will become a hidden gem to future generations. Give your eyeballs a treat to the 250 million dollars they lavished on this movie, & ignore all the miserable naysayers. This is retro science fiction/fantasy action as it's best.

An epic sci-fi movie that received rather mixed reviews when it was released; I knew of the Edgar Rice Burroughs character through illustration work long before the film, so I already had an interest in this.It's visually spectacular, with impressive character design, CGI work and settings; I don't have any issues with it's pacing or the character development – it is, after all, a lightweight adventure story that doesn`t have any great intellectual ideas to push - so relax, go with it and it's perfectly enjoyable.I found it mildly objectionable that Disney didn't have the guts to market it as a proper sci-fi fantasy, but otherwise I don't see any reason for some of the more vitriolic criticism some have meted out.Watch it yourself and make your own mind up.The standard UK DVD release has an audio commentary, a 10-minute “making of” featurette and English subtitles are available.

"John Carter of Mars" was a big budget sci fi adventure that was billed as the new Star Wars. Having hyped itself to the stars the end result was always bound to be disappointing. If it had been delivered with greater modesty then maybe it would be seen today with greater charity. Watching it again all these years later is like watching the original movie of "Dune". It is always much better than the critics would have you believe. In fact this is a thoroughly enjoyable romp that really has nothing in it to criticise. If you watch it today without pre-judging it then you will be greatly entertained. I have never grown bored of this. Always very watchable. Recommended.

When I found out Disney were taking over the Star Wars saga 10 yrs ago I was told to watch John Carter for the creatures to get an idea and feel.... well, they wasn't wrong, Johnn Carter is just an amazing film, must have seen this film about 10 times now since I bought it. Theatures has Starwars signature all over it. I would recommend this to any die hard Starwars fans. 5 *****'s!Well done Disney just a shame there wasn't a trilogy of John Carter Films as I know there's at least 3 novels if not more in the series .....

This 2012 sci-fi fantasy adventure is told in flashback after the sudden death of John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), as his nephew, Edgar Rice Burroughs (Daryl Sabara) reads Carter's journal. After a run-in with Apache’ Carter takes refuge in a cave but finds himself transported to Mars [Barsoom] where his bone density gives him apparent super-hero abilities such as being able to jump high and perform feats of incredible strength. Here he finds a raging Civil War and is captured by the green four armed Martians [or Tharks].The world created is credible and is typically a Victorian era creation of the future, fantastic insect like flying machines and a mobile city all highly over-engineered with metal beams and huge cogs. The acting is good, the special effects superb [in the main] and well filmed, whilst featuring heroines in distress, the world, desolate and decaying, futuristic cities and a culture and science uniquely different to our own. While in the background are the mysterious Therns who have an agenda of their own.The disc opens to a language selection screen offering most European languages, selection takes you into some Disney ads, then your in the main menu offering few real features; Play, bonus features [documentary & commentary], scene selection, set-up [languages and subtitles] and sneak peaks [a short collage of Disney cartoons].The film failed to recoup its production cost but that doesn’t make it a bad movie. It does take a while to get into the main story, but it’s never slow or boring, tending to keep a good jogging pace throughout. It’s a fun adventure with no swearing or nudity and is only a 12 rating due to some of the ’fantasy’ violence. Easily gains a ***** thumbs up if you want a “Buck Rodgers” meets “Indiana Jones” adventure.