After decades of aborted attempts to bring Edgar Rice
Burroughs’ John Carter of Mars books to life on film, here finally is an
audaciously satisfying epic popcorn movie that dares you to find something
wrong with it. As seen in some recent
big summer sci-fi movies – Iron Man (2008), Star Trek (2009),
etc. – certain filmmakers appear to have hit on the right recipe for weeding
out the elements in action film that historically have made audiences and
critics alike roll their eyes in frustration.
Depending on your point of view, the formula may seem like overly calculated
homogenization or it might be cause enough to simply have fun at the movies
again. What I liked specifically about John
Carter is the following: 1) I wasn’t distracted by big name stars; (Taylor
Kitsch in the title role does a fine job).
2) It lacked the factors that made the similarly themed Avatar so
overblown and pretentious; primarily a weighty self-importance. 3)
It’s unforced senses of adventure, humor and whimsy are a relief and a sharp
contrast to the cynical and boring attempts at the same in most “big”
movies. 4) It successfully sidesteps criticism of its play-it-safe
formula by getting you involved in a well-told story, not allowing you time to
announce your predictions about what clichés are coming. 5) Its
special effects feel germane to the story; and it’s very strange for me to say
that since I’m so used to being annoyed by the blurry and incongruous-looking
effects in most sci-fi/fantasy extravaganzas.
And 6) Its themes – (identity,
personal freedom, race, empire) – are valid and relevant without being
blatantly allegorical or patronizing in their presentation.
No comments:
Post a Comment