The original sci-fi hero finally on film!

John Carter

Quick, name some of the best, most fantastic, most adventurous sci-fi films to date! Chances are that you might name Star Wars, Avatar, Stargate, Flash Gordon, Buck Rodgers, or any number of other popular or cult hits.  If you did, then chances are also good that they share a common root in sci-fi literature; a hundred-year-old series of books by Edgar Rice Burroughs, featuring a hero named John Carter.

After all these years (that is, years of production hell and filming rights being flip-flopped all over the place), Carter finally hits the big screen.  With today’s production values and technology, the results are certainly thrilling.  The film moves pretty fast, with maybe just a few parts of drag.  It’s loaded up with gracious amounts of intense action, fight scenes, and battles.  The special effects are gorgeous.  There are parts that come off as “pulpy,” in a manner that could befit a story in the Heavy Metal magazine.  But above all, everything works together to form a decent piece of escapism.  By the end of the film, I felt I was effectively immersed in the world of Barsoom (Mars, that is) and its inhabitants.

Most negative reviewers would target the story of this film as being predictable, uninspired, or convoluted.  I don't know how close this movie is to its original book; there are indeed some parts that are predictable, and the story overall is quite formulaic; but I have no idea as to whether or not it’s supposed to be this way.  The most critical viewers expecting ground-breaking storytelling may be disappointed.

Right from the start, the movie establishes itself as something fantastic (and specifically admonishes the notion that this would be hard sci-fi; those expecting total scientific accuracy will be disappointed).  Understanding the fantastic nature of this story, there was never anything about it that hampered my enjoyment; I was able to follow the story and understand the world it took place in.  Characters are not huge standouts, but I enjoyed watching them.  It does its best to attribute some key themes regarding war and finding a cause to fight for.

The film is pretty well-made, with quality photography.  A few shots appeared to be sloppily-edited, but most of the film is put together well.  Acting is not terribly outstanding, but it’s not terribly bad either; I grew to enjoy Taylor Kitsch’s machismo as John Carter, and Lynn Collins’ attitude as the princess.  Writing is really no better or worse than most other films.  This production has phenomenal sets, props, costumes, and special effects; I really loved the look and style of the film.  Music is appropriately adventurous.

Given the mixed reviews this film is receiving, I'd only recommend it as a rental.  However, I do regard it as a film well worth seeing for all sci-fi fans.

4/5 (Entertainment:  4.5/5, Story:  4/5, Film:  4/5)

"Fight! For immortality!"

Immortals

Tarsem Singh has only directed a few films to date, and all have shown impeccably artistic visual flair.  After the grim, surreal dreamscapes of The Cell and the exotic fable of The Fall, he would seem to be the perfect choice to direct a Grecian-themed fantasy film.

As expected, the man delivered on a visual level.  The art design behind Immortals is itself worth a look, given the elaborate costumes, the intricate setpieces, and the imaginative special effects.  It also helps that this film has a decent amount of action.  It is about as bloody and grisly as 300, and perhaps a grade darker in tone.  As well-choreographed as the fights are, I found the film fairly satisfying.  The only problem is, the film tends to drag in certain areas.

Unfortunately, this film does get panned for being all style and no substance.  There’s certainly no historic, cultural, or even mythic accuracy; it’s a Greek-themed fantasy in name only.  Even the art direction appears more far-east than Mediterranean.   Following it as a fantasy world of its own kind, it comes off as a finely-blended rehash of various other fantasy stories; imagine the fights of 300 mixed with the theological concepts of the Clash of the Titans remake, combined with the oracle stuff from The Scorpion King, and the revenge theme of Conan, and the character archetypes of…well, Clash of the Titans yet again.  In this day and age, Immortals feels like just more of the same.

That is not to say that it is completely without merit.  Even if it isn’t original, the film does a fine job of establishing its own concepts here and there, and overall establishing itself as its own universe.  Within this universe, the characters receive just enough treatment to keep the story going.  By the end, it reaches a fairly satisfying climax.  If you’re seeking something truly original, it may disappoint; for a mere piece of entertainment, it’s satisfying enough.

The film looks really slick, with quality photography and editing, and gracious amounts of top-notch special effects.  Parts of the film look quite darkly lit, I believe as part of the film’s artistic intention.  I felt that the acting was decent; Mickey Rourke played an extremely menacing villain, Henry Cavill was quite macho and commanding as the hero, and I enjoyed watching Freida Pinto in her role.  The film’s writing shows a few good strengths in the dialogue.  No expense is spared on the film’s elaborate sets, props, or costumes.  The music score is generally not bad, and has a few strong crescendos.

I was fairly pleased with this film, but it has received mixed reviews.   I can only recommend it as a rental.

3.5/5 (Entertainment:  3.5/5, Story:  2.5/5, Film:  4.5/5)