VISUAL REVIEW


JOHN CARTER (2012) Visual Review by David Bruce



(iPad/iPhone here) Trailer.
Walt Disney Pictures presents the epic, action-adventure film "John Carter," based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs classic, "A Princess of Mars," the first novel in Burroughs Barsoom series. 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of Burroughs' character John Carter, the original space hero featured in the series, who has thrilled generations with his adventures on Mars


Themes: ACCEPTANCE and ADAPTATION
The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.


Andrew Stanton directed and co-wrote the screenplay for Disney/Pixar's WALL-E


LYNN COLLINS as Dejah Thoris and TAYLOR KITSCH as John Carter
Taylor Kitsch: "It's the most physical role I've ever done. The jumps, the stunts, the sword training... I mean, almost every scene on Mars, I'm on wires." 
Lynn Collins: "They've hung us every which way. After this film, I think my fear of heights has been completely annihilated."


DOMINIC WEST as Sab Than, JAMES PUREFOY as Kantos Kahn
and CIARAN HINDS as Tardos Mors


MARK STRONG as Matai Shang, DARYL SABARA as Edgar Rice Burroughs and RAAD RAWI as Snide Councillor


Central message: “You have been given gifts. Are you going to use them for yourself, or the betterment of others”
--Andrew Stanton (Director/Screenwriter)



(iPad/iPhone here) Clip: I’m on Mars
(Bloom where you are planted)


LIFE: TAKING MANY LEAPS OF FAITH. 
Søren Kierkegaard: “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced… What if, rather than speaking or dreaming of an absolute beginning, we speak of a leap?”



(iPad/iPhone here) Clip: MARS’ BEST FRIEND
(Bonding sometimes happens with little choice)


Bonding comes in all kinds of forms!
Romantic bonding as fate, choice and, of course, essential to box office.



(iPad/iPhone here) Clip: Canyon Escape.
(Keep on truckin’. Never give in nor up)


“My goal is to want to believe it. To believe it's really out there.”
-- Andrew Stanton (director/writer)


INTERESTING SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS:
John Carter = Jesus Christ
1. Comes from other realm
2. Is a savior
3. Is despised and rejected
4. Has supernatural abilities
5. Has a death and resurrection


THE FEEL OF REAL.
Producer Jim Morris: "As much as possible, we decided to shoot in actual locations and minimize the amount of digital set creation, so that the audience always feel like they are grounded in real places. We hope this will add an additional layer of authenticity that will heighten the believability and realism of the film."


Costume Designer Mayes C. Rubeo: “I wanted to portray an ancient look but within a science fiction movie, this is a vision that was born 100 years ago by Burroughs. It has to be fantastical with imagination and color. The way the Barsoomians wear the accessories, headdresses or one of the elements of a costume has a very important impact on the film and helps to differentiate the people of these two cities. I did a huge amount of research and we came up with a substantial look for the tribes that is both effective and dramatic."


"What would it be like..?" -- Andrew Stanton (director/screenwriter)