Every year at least one film gets picked on to be the sacrificial turkey and ends up suffering at the box office accordingly. In 2012, it seemed that was the fate of John Carter. I remember being confused by the advertising campaign and never actually saw a trailer. It was only later that I heard it was based on Burroughs' Princess of Mars.I eventually picked up a copy on blu-ray out of curiosity as I have a bit of a fondness for pulpy science-fiction (I even like Jupiter Ascending).
Does John Carter deserve the beating it got at the box office and by critics? Frankly, it doesn't. In a post-Star Wars world it doesn't feel that original, but the source material likely inspired much many 20th century science fiction films - and there are plenty of similarly derivative films that do enjoy success.
Kitsch makes a fine action hero in his part as an interplanetary Indiana Jones. He has an earnest charisma and good chemistry with the martian princess played by Collins.
Visually, it's a stunning looking movie with occasional comic touches and the action is generally well directed keeping on the right side of thrilling without ever becoming incoherently frentic.
Verdict: Mars' curse attacks.
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