*Cracks Knuckles*
I went and saw John Carter this past Friday and I have to say this movie was fantastic. First and foremost, I've recently become a huge fan of the Barsoom series. Having been a geek for as long as I have, I'd been surprised to discover I'd never really heard of Barsoom (sans maybe in brief passing) and never knew how much it influenced what I loved as a geek. So, when I first saw the trailer, I got into it in a big way. I've currently read all of the comics and am working my way through the novels (Hell, made a CoH character based on an aspect of Barsoom). My knowledge is not vast regarding it, but my inner fanboy feels a connection to Burrough's work.
It's important to note, I am not a purist. I do not need to see an exact replica of a beloved work appear on the big screen so long as it is somewhat faithful to it (i.e. Asylum's Princess of Mars movie *shudder*). For this movie, it's about 50/50. There were many faithful aspects to this film and many (mostly the plot) that were not. The general premise of John Carter's adventure (Travel to Mars, find the princess, save the day) is there, with some of the events, in a general sense play out accordingly, with slight differences. Many of the designs of places (such as the city of Hellium) felt true and, despite that reviewer's opinion (and, somewhat limited eyesight I'd say) even the looks of the Red martians looked somewhat accurate. They appeared somewhat reddish tan [Tattoos not withstanding] and distinctly stood out compared to John Carter himself.
Though some things (Such as the nature of the Therns [Heck, even there BEING Therns in this movie] were not quite so accurate. How Carter got to Mars is not quite how he does in the books. The movie was even a little liberal with its interpretation of the location of city of Zodanga (something that was never really confirmed by Burroughs). And, of course, there were plenty of tropes (including, I believe, the Wilhelm Scream).
But, I didn't care. Because to me, Barsoom did it first. The fact that Burrough's works influenced so much of what I love as a geek, It mattered little. And, in an odd way, I felt like Burrough's work influenced the changes they made to the movie...about Burrough's work (odd way to think about it, but it feels weirdly appropriate).
So, all in all, should you see this? ABSOLUTELY. If you are not an overall purist, this movie is a fantastic, fast ride across the surface of Mars and, feels quite faithful to the original works (Despite all the changes), and is a film I plan to see again ASAP.
Assuming I can remember where I parked my Thoat.
I went and saw John Carter this past Friday and I have to say this movie was fantastic. First and foremost, I've recently become a huge fan of the Barsoom series. Having been a geek for as long as I have, I'd been surprised to discover I'd never really heard of Barsoom (sans maybe in brief passing) and never knew how much it influenced what I loved as a geek. So, when I first saw the trailer, I got into it in a big way. I've currently read all of the comics and am working my way through the novels (Hell, made a CoH character based on an aspect of Barsoom). My knowledge is not vast regarding it, but my inner fanboy feels a connection to Burrough's work.
It's important to note, I am not a purist. I do not need to see an exact replica of a beloved work appear on the big screen so long as it is somewhat faithful to it (i.e. Asylum's Princess of Mars movie *shudder*). For this movie, it's about 50/50. There were many faithful aspects to this film and many (mostly the plot) that were not. The general premise of John Carter's adventure (Travel to Mars, find the princess, save the day) is there, with some of the events, in a general sense play out accordingly, with slight differences. Many of the designs of places (such as the city of Hellium) felt true and, despite that reviewer's opinion (and, somewhat limited eyesight I'd say) even the looks of the Red martians looked somewhat accurate. They appeared somewhat reddish tan [Tattoos not withstanding] and distinctly stood out compared to John Carter himself.
Though some things (Such as the nature of the Therns [Heck, even there BEING Therns in this movie] were not quite so accurate. How Carter got to Mars is not quite how he does in the books. The movie was even a little liberal with its interpretation of the location of city of Zodanga (something that was never really confirmed by Burroughs). And, of course, there were plenty of tropes (including, I believe, the Wilhelm Scream).
But, I didn't care. Because to me, Barsoom did it first. The fact that Burrough's works influenced so much of what I love as a geek, It mattered little. And, in an odd way, I felt like Burrough's work influenced the changes they made to the movie...about Burrough's work (odd way to think about it, but it feels weirdly appropriate).
So, all in all, should you see this? ABSOLUTELY. If you are not an overall purist, this movie is a fantastic, fast ride across the surface of Mars and, feels quite faithful to the original works (Despite all the changes), and is a film I plan to see again ASAP.
Assuming I can remember where I parked my Thoat.