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The Infamous Billy The Kidd Speaks To JOHN CARTER Himself, Taylor Kitsch
You'd better get used to seeing Taylor Kitsch, because there's going to be a lot of him to go around in the coming months. Starring in Peter Berg's movie adaptation of the Hasbro board game BATTLESHIP and in Oliver Stone's SAVAGES, Kitsch's big year kicks off with the title role in the long-awaited JOHN CARTER.
I don't think I need to explain the arduous journey JOHN CARTER has made to finally being realized in 2012. From MGM to Disney to Paramount to Disney again, with all types of creative minds at work trying to bring Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom series to life, nothing ever came to fruition until now. Disney regained the rights and handed over such a delicate property to director Andrew Stanton for his first live-action feature film, following on the heels of his Pixar success (FINDING NEMO and WALL-E).
With JOHN CARTER finally a go, it fell onto Stanton to find the right man to embody John Carter. After an extensive search, that honor was bestowed upon Taylor Kitsch. To this point, Kitsch has been known mostly for his role as Tim Riggins on the critically-acclaimed, but very difficult to find FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS while it was still on the air, and for being the man to finally bring Gambit to an X-MEN movie in the WOLVERINE prequel.
JOHN CARTER is a huge opportunity for Kitsch to cement himself as a lead actor capable of carrying a film as ambitious as this. However, with the marketing campaign by Disney seriously being questioned, there may be only so much he can do as far as getting fans and non-fans into the theatre to see the movie.
When I recently had the chance to talk with John Carter himself, Taylor Kitsch, I wanted to know about the pressures of finally bringing something with so much history to life on the big screen as well as his own feelings on whether Disney has done its best to ensure the success of JOHN CARTER, which would then lead to more films in the series. I get the feeling some aren't going to be too happy with Kitsch's consideration, or lack thereof, for the Barsoom fan base, but it is pretty clear that he is passionate about the character and the project, which may be all we can really ask. Enjoy...
The Infamous Billy The Kidd: Hello.
Taylor Kitsch: Hello!
The Kidd: Good morning.
Taylor Kitsch: How are you doing, man?
The Kidd: I’m alright. How are you this morning?
Taylor Kitsch: Not bad. I just had my coffee and I’m waking up.
The Kidd: (Laughs) Yeah, same here.
Taylor Kitsch: Exactly, right?
The Kidd: It’s a little bit early, but we’ll make do.
Taylor Kitsch: I know. I know we will.
The Kidd: I wanted to ask, because you’ve already had some experience with taking on a much beloved character in a franchise before doing Gambit for X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE... So I’m sure you’re a little bit more equipped with what comes with such a huge role now than you may have been then. Going into a film like that, how do you deal with really vocal fan reaction that comes with doing a character that’s so realized?
Taylor Kitsch: Yeah, I don’t think you really listen to them to be honest with you. I don’t know, I think the biggest guy, the one man that you want at the end of the day to be proud of your work is the director. I mean I’m breathing life into Stanton’s childhood dream and no one is going to put more pressure on yourself than me, you know? To do this justice and yeah the books are quite… of course they are a hundred years old from Edgar Rice Burroughs and I just met his whole family actually at the premiere and they couldn’t be more happy. That means a lot. I’m just super proud of the movie, so you’ve just got to remember that I’m dealing with the script as well and my job is to do that justice and bring him to life for everyone.
The Kidd: JOHN CARTER has been in development as a film property for a really long time, going all the way back to the 1930s. I’m sure along the way you became aware of all of the different names that have been kind of attached to it, like Tom Cruise, Robert Rodriguez, Jon Favreau and what not. Why is this the JOHN CARTER that’s the one that finally broke through? Why here? Why now are we finally getting a JOHN CARTER that no one has been able to crack thus far?
Taylor Kitsch: I think it’s the CG and where we are at with that. I feel it’s even more limitless. Even talking to Jim Morris, who executive produced this and his background is self-explanatory, but it’s more of just the timing of all of that coming together as well and you’ve got to believe it kind of gets into the right hands for the right reason and I think that happened with Andrew Stanton. Favreau came to set and he’s got a small tiny… He plays one of the Tharks in JOHN CARTER, so I mean he came to set and he was just, from what I heard and remember, he was more than just happy to be a part of it. It really did get in the right hands in Andrew Stanton. I mean his adaptation is incredible. It’s an incredibly intertwined film and it’s very heavy. There’s a lot of heart first and foremost in this film.
The Kidd: And on top of that it’s… Especially the Burroughs books you can just see now the influence that these books had on other films later and how they were heavily borrowed from, films like AVATAR and some of the STAR WARS films. Is there almost a concern that today’s audience will view something like this and say “It’s been done before,” even though they’re not really aware of the fact that this was the first to do it?
Taylor Kitsch: I think it’s just that. It’s just that they’re quite simply not aware and this is more original than anything I’ve seen truly - the arc of John Carter, the Civil War pieces… It’s a period piece escapism, you know? I think you’re going to get caught up in that and I think that’s the best part of that. You’ll see obviously from the air ships to some of the battles, but I mean with anything you want to make it your own and I think we did that and really ran with it to be honest with you. I guarantee you there’s twists and turns in this that aren’t in any of those.
The Kidd: With all of the history of the JOHN CARTER series and knowing how highly regarded the Burroughs books are, do you put a lot of pressure on yourself to kind of make this film a success and to live up to the expectations of the fans of the Barsoom series?
Taylor Kitsch: No, I think it goes down to just me, man. I mean that motivation would last a day. At the end of the day it’s the work I put in and the guys I’m around. You want to lead by example on the set and on the day I’m not going “I hope the fans like this or that.” I do my own prep and I prepped with the Civil War historians in Texas. I immersed myself with the Civil War for months. So it’s a matter of holding onto those things and bringing life to the script and what’s in front of me and I think you do your job and you go and do the best you can and I’m pretty darn sure we made a great movie and we are very proud of this and I think people are going to be as well once they get in there.
The Kidd: How difficult is it to play a character that is so well established though? Is there a certain amount of leeway that…
Taylor Kitsch: I tell you what... There’s more pressure to play Kevin Carter than any kind of fabricated kind of comic book… When you have a guy that’s lived and has left what he’s left behind, you have his family and his two best friends watching you play him, that’s pressure. When you get, and I understand this pressure with an Edgar Rice Burroughs and the Gambit and stuff, but you know that is pressure playing a Kevin Carter. With everything else I have a lot more creative control and if I didn’t, I wouldn’t take the role, you know? It’s about making it my own and that’s the beauty of acting and art. That’s why you go all around the world to see who can play this John Carter. It’s like every single actor is going to have a different take and a different look of who he is to them and Stanton liked mine. I’m pretty darn sure when you go in there, you’re going to dig it.
The Kidd: In that respect did you go back to the books at all to kind of see how John Carter was written? Or did you just really stay to what was on the page in the script and trust that the writing captured this character?
Taylor Kitsch: When I walked out of that first meeting with Stanton I wasn’t allowed, no one was for that matter, to have the script yet. You got little teasers or tidbits, so I immersed myself with the books for that and you try and latch onto stuff before you get the script, but like you said once you get the script that kind of becomes your bible for the most part and what Stanton did… In the books there are little things like John wakes up on Mars and knows he’s on Mars. John sees Dejah Thoris for the first time and is madly in love with her and will do anything for her. What Stanton did is he really did explain how he gets to Mars, the lack of gravity… There’s an arc to every single thing, from the relationship with Woola to learning to jump to Dejah Thoris to Tars Tarkas. I mean it’s pretty incredible how intertwined that script is and there’s definitely nods to the book throughout without a doubt.
The Kidd: There’s been a lot of talk and discussion, at least in the online community, about how the film has been sold so far and I know Andrew Stanton has been really adamant about trying to keep things very secretive to a point and making people want to go out and experience it rather than hand them everything beforehand. Are you satisfied that the strengths of JOHN CARTER have been showcased enough promotionally right now to get all of those people into the theater that would enjoy a film like this?
Taylor Kitsch: That’s a damn good question. I mean I get where Stanton is going. I truly do and you just have to entrust in him and the storytelling and the cast and us that when you do get in there you’re going to love what you see. I’m all for not showing the twists and turns and that, but I do think… I’d loved to have seen a little bit more Civil War in there. I think that’s a huge piece of John and you’ll learn why in the film. You know, but at the end of the day I have to just be okay with the job that I did and just keep that hat on, because I can’t put every other one on, man. So I have to entrust that they are going to do what they are going to do, but obviously I’m on the inside looking out, so I know they are going to do an incredible push starting today, so maybe we will see some more of the love story and more of the background of John.
The Kidd: We’re going to be seeing a lot of you this year between JOHN CARTER and BATTLESHIP and SAVAGES, both hitting later this summer, but I want to ask you about BATTLESHIP.
Taylor Kitsch: Sure.
The Kidd: There was kind of a lot of eye rolling and some groaning when it first got announced simply because it’s Battleship. What can you say to assure us that it isn’t simply just a movie based on a board game?
Taylor Kitsch: You have Peter Berg directing this… You’ve got Liam Neeson and we had a lot of fun doing it and I think you’re going to feel that. I just saw the last trailer and I’ve seen a good portion of it and I’m watching myself, which is hard enough, but I mean I can let go and I truly just went in and enjoyed the ride and Pete and I are very close and we will not settle. I think you feel that in the film or you do. We pushed the boundaries and it’s an incredible balance, just action… It’s really a fun movie, but there’s also some heart in there that is going to surprise a lot of people.
The Kidd: Speaking of Pete, let me ask one more question here. Earlier this month he said a script for a FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS movie was about done and really if they can get everybody’s schedule lined up that it could actually happen. What’s the latest that you are actually hearing about the direction of a FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS movie and are you still interested in returning to that familiar territory if it’s going to happen?
Taylor Kitsch: Pete knows where I sit with that. What you just said is news to me. I haven’t gotten a script or anything for FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. I love that character in the show. It means so much to me and I love where we left off and I would just have to read the script and I’m sure if I am in it it’s going to be quite a small, small part.
The Kidd: Okay. Thank you very much, man, for talking to me. I really appreciate it.
Taylor Kitsch: Thank you, man. I appreciate it.
The Kidd: Alright, thank you.
Taylor Kitsch: Bye.
I'm sure Kitsch is aware of talk of JOHN CARTER flopping before it even opens, partly due to the large budget Disney poured into it and partly due to the studios' perceived failure to really promote the film to reach the proper audience, and that weighed into some of his answers. However, once this is all said and done, there's going to be a lot of examination as to the risks Disney took with JOHN CARTER and how they went about making people aware of it once it was ready for release. That's not going to fall on Kitsch; that's all going to be Disney's marketing team. I hope they haven't chalked it up to a lost cause, but we'll see what kind of push they give it this week, and whether or not it's too little too late.
JOHN CARTER is in theatres this Friday, March 9.
-Billy Donnelly
"The Infamous Billy The Kidd"
Follow me on Twitter.
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I'm gonna see this movie.
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Mar 05, 2012 2:31:14 AM CST
Should have asked him why he looks like James Franco
by melgibsoncalledmethenword
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Mar 05, 2012 2:41:45 AM CST
Maybe red and black eyes would have made his Gambit tolerable
by nerd rage
Maybe not.
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Q. Mr Kitsch - what did you do to prepare for the role of John Carter?
Ans. I bought a trampoline. -
I will definitely see it.
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Taylor Kitsch, next seen appearing in 21 JUMP STREET?
After that a sequel to the Woody Harrelson classic... WHITE MEN CANT JUMP - BABY YOU'S WRONG! -
It's not good.
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He says they're doing an incredible push the day of... Wondering if I just missed that push, or if it was the Superbowl, or if it's coming this week (the week the film opens?! bit late)
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Mar 05, 2012 3:56:14 AM CST
Looks like something Lucas would make today - that's not a good sign
by frodofraggins
I know nothing about the property, but the ads make it look very shallow and kid friendly
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Mar 05, 2012 3:57:28 AM CST
John Carter is not very good and Taylor Kitsch is not very good as John Carter.
by fortunesfool
Seriously. I think every line of dialogue is delivered as a statement.
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I can't be the only one who thinks it whenever they read his name.
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Seen this myself and there is no doubting it is just not good. It's a convoluted, confused, cliched mess of a film that is going to leave A: A massive hole in Disney's pocket and B: The audience trying to work out what kind of science fiction fantasy western dogs dinner they are watching.
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It's like there's no other movie coming out this year except JOHN CARTER which everyone knew was going to suck months ago.
And if it's any revelation, the Tomato meter for this has ZERO top critics. Just a few schills like The Kidd (can't wait to see THAT name on a poster) ready to nauseate us with article after article of a major bust that will kill a few careers (lead will never get another major lead, director will never get another major film) Good thing talent like Mark Strong will just continue along though....but fuck that guy needs to fire his agent. It's the second year in a row where he plays an extraterrestrial villain in a shit film. -
I dont get? Is he famous in the states or what..Ahh fuck it, just give me a new Tintin adventure that we European know of.
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Mar 05, 2012 5:04:24 AM CST
Kind of Blah on this. Maybe I`m worn out from all the tentpoles these days.
by higgledyhiggles
CG has gotten boring. They can imagine anything supposedly and yet everything kind of ends up the same somehow ? Not bad just a little bland.
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But you could empathise with Sam Worthington's character in Avatar. There's no reason to empathise with John Carter. There's a flashback to some person he couldn't save in the Civil War but that's glossed over in 1 minute.
It also has the worst opening to a blockbuster movie ever... the pre-credits sequence is a real headscratcher. Stanton forgot the famous maxim: "To have odd things happening to odd people is an oddity too far." -
Mar 05, 2012 5:49:22 AM CST
Unobtrusive Fantasy Art Poster Campaigns way to go for 'creating' Striaght Fantasy Genre audience
by even9
hey instead of going out for drinks or for a meal why don't we check out that fantasy adventure playing in the flicks that's been hanging around
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I just listened to that Andrew Stanton radio interview, where the interviewer pushes him on the question of the title and Stanton gets a little tetchy! It's a long podcast but Stanton comes in at around 27mins...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/kermode -
Mar 05, 2012 6:23:31 AM CST
If it was written now would it just be called The Princess" "No it would just be called The
by happybunni
Ha hahahha
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when AICN will do it for free ! ;-)
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I'm going to go see David Smith instead.
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was Watchmen. It seems that everyone who'd read the (graphic) novel loved it, everyone else hated it. Is John Carter working the same way ?
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Maybe John Carter will also do well at the Box Office, this weekend?
I'm going to see it, because I like sci fi\fantasy and I haven't been to the movies in a while.
My expectations are still low though... -
Mar 05, 2012 7:48:55 AM CST
give me a 10 of these before you force me to sit thru another tintin
by j2talk
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I think it will be worse for the Disney film industry if this movie becomes a success. The Marketing department is going to be like "SEE! Look what we did. We took your horrible little movie and forced millions of people to give you money to see it!". I really hope not. I hope this film fails, just so Disney stops relying on focus groups like the ones that told them to drop "of Mars" from the title. And so the current Marketing department never touches another big budget movie again.
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Mar 05, 2012 8:12:42 AM CST
Every time an actor or director says they dont give a rats ass about the fanboys...
by logan_1973
I think its awesome.
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Mar 05, 2012 8:16:35 AM CST
Just call the site "Ain't it John Carter News" and get it over with
by girugamesh
Feels like the constant "America's Got Talent" BS/Product placement that takes up 80% of the Stern Show nowadays. I hope the film does well, but jebus, enough already
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Mar 05, 2012 8:21:47 AM CST
JOHN CARTER IS ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES OF THE YEAR.DONT MISS IT.
by killik
AMAZING FILM.GO WATCH IT.
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Beautiful to look at, well directed, but thought Mr Kitsch made for a pretty dull John Carter. Sorry pal, wasn't feelin' it.
Woudn't mind a sequel though. -
Maybe I am in a bad mood this morning, but why does AICN transcribe their interviews in such a literal fashion? "Hey man." "Hey." "How's it going?" "Nothing much." "Cold out?" zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Also, if your interviewer leads off his first question with "I wanted to ask ..." cut that SHIT out of there. Edit.
If you want to run verbatim interviews, why not just run video? I'd much rather actually see Taylor Kitsch being interviewed by a 300-pound man dressed as a cowboy than read it. -
Mar 05, 2012 9:12:38 AM CST
I'd much rather actually see Taylor Kitsch being interviewed by a 300-pound man dressed as a cowboy than read it.
by zombot
SERIOUSLY- in this day and age, do video! unless this old site can't support/handle it.
I'm also for supporting the written word too, but the site doesn't seem to be able to handle that either. -
I thought he was horrible in WOVLERINE, although the chick who was in WOLVERINE and also JOHN CARTER was good. But this Kitsch guy just doesn't do anything for me.
I don't think Worthington is any leading man either, but at least he doesn't annoy me, but Kitsch just bugs me. -
Mar 05, 2012 9:18:36 AM CST
Disney must be paying attention because they just posted the entire first 10 minutes online
by wrath_of_fett
http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/169773-first-look-10-minute-scene-from-john-carter
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I completely agree with him. Fuck the fans and their expectations. Those expectations are based on their daydreaming and imaging what they think it should be like. Obviously it's impossible to replicate that, so you just do the best you can and hope people like it.
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OH HO HO. Zo, zee Tharks, zay want to play, oui? Zen let zem come. I will slay zem all.
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Mar 05, 2012 9:42:26 AM CST
I Have a Last Name for a First Name, And My Last Name is a Synonym for Camp
by aquatarkusman
He's about as much of a leading man action figure as Wallace Shawn with gout.
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Or part of the opening scene, anyway. I thought it was fantastic. Carter's multiple escape attempts had me cracking up. Looks like a very well directed adventure yarn.
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Mar 05, 2012 10:28:57 AM CST
what kind of dick calls himself The infamous billy the kid anyway
by icanthavethat
Its like someone rocking up to work an telling the guys to call him ace..hahahahahahahahaha
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I'll be seeing this Friday, definitely. I haven't watched the "Friday Night Lights" television show, so I'm really new to Taylor Kitsch. He seems like a good guy, though. Pretty smart and committed to his characters.
Honestly, I'm hoping "John Carter" kicks all kinds of ass. The early marketing of the film was bad, I think, which was unfortunate. The more recent trailers give it a more meaty, "I want to see that" feeling.
Thanks, Billy the Kid! Good interview. -
not faggy manboys
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Alright, punks, it's time to put down your fucking tweezers and stop counting those pubes - they'll come in eventually. You might even get a face full of muff someday... maybe. Right now it's time for you clueless punks to listen up. I'm no plant, and I'm no shill, but I've got something to say.
I saw "John Carter" at an Imax 3D screening in Minneapolis held by Disney on the evening of March 1st. kwisatzhaderach has it all wrong, and his complete lack of critique has me thinking that he didn't even see the movie. It is an awesome movie; here's why.
So many sci-fi movies fall into the trap of over explaining to the erstwhile audience where they are and what is happening or about to happen before the primary character is even introduced. "Green Lantern" did this terribly, opening with a full exposition leaving nothing for the viewer to discover along with the main character; we already knew what Hal Jordan was in for because the disembodied voice told us everything we "needed" to know. David Lynch's "Dune" did this famously and most horrendously with that film's opening, but he also made the drastic mistake of attempting to make a direct translation of Frank Herbert's novel, despite the introduction of the "Weirding Module" instead of going with the kung fu of the "Weirding Way". Brilliant director Andrew Stanton does not make either of these mistakes in his fantastic adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' "John Carter". I left the theatre beaming.
"John Carter" is a film that I have long wanted to see, and it really wasn't until Stanton signed on that I knew it would be amazing. I believed this because Andrew Stanton is a Pixar guy, and not only is he a Pixar guy, he's the Pixar guy that directed "Wall-E", and I firmly believe that "Wall-E" is one of the best movies ever made. With all due respect to those with previous involvement with the property, none of those guys could say they made "Wall-E". "John Carter" was important to me as a kid. Sure, I read many books in the series, but it was the Marvel Comic that thrilled me most. Marv Wolfman wrote the series and the likes of Kane, Infantino, Andru, and many other greats drew it. I loved those comics. They are burned into my brain and they were very faithful to the works of Burroughs without being strict translations. That's where I felt Stanton would really excel; making the story work for the movies, and he has done that in a rousing, crowd pleasing fashion.
After a bit of a clunky opening, we soon find ourselves on Barsoom (Mars) with John Carter, a veteran of the Civil War. First, and I won't give it away, Stanton defines Carter's transportation to Mars with a stroke of genius and in a far more satisfying way than Burroughs was able to conjure. As I said, making the thing of it work for film. Second, I have a serious man-crush on Taylor Kitsch. Perfectly cast, and I knew so little of him. Yes, I'd seen Wolverine: Origins, but the Hugh Jackman vanity piece sucked the cheese off my balls. Entirely forgettable, and that's fortunate for Kitsch. He has several seriously bad-ass moments in this flick and he does it without overbearing machismo. It comes from a place of rage in John Carter, the kind of rage that comes from serious loss in the face of warfare. By the time he gets to Mars, Carter is long done fighting for anyone but himself. Surrounded by the indigenous race, the Tharks, his first heroic moment comes when he thinks he is saving one of his own kind, and it's a great moment as he throws himself into another war.
Carter's better half, Dejah Thoris, is played by Lynn Collins, and she too is awesome after a clunky introduction. Collins is a total babe and does well with some pulpy dialogue that seems requisite of sci-fi, but she's really great doing the physical stuff and you don't see that too often from the girls. One could point to Gina Carano in "Haywire", but Collins is different. Women fighting can be somewhat brutish, outside of the ballet of kung fu, but Collins' sword play here is deadly and sexy. Certainly not your average damsel in distress. Great stuff, but most importantly, there is real chemistry between Kitsch and Collins, and it is a lot of fun seeing them fall for each other. You get really involved with these people, and that too is a rarity in today's genre pictures. Absolutely fantastic.
The four armed Tharks are a wonder to behold, and I don't mean only in a visual way. Their culture unfolds before you in a way that you aren't beaten over the head with, and like the exposition of a "Dune" or "Green Lantern" movie, the details of the lives of these incredible creatures it isn't spoon fed to you and defined. You bear witness to it all along with Carter and learn from it. It really is simplicity, but any other filmmaker would have had 5 pages of dialogue where Stanton uses the fantastic economy of a few images and makes a point succinctly. Only film can do it, and no one knows that better than Stanton. As a result, the events throughout the film are relatable to any audience. The best sci-fi is the least wordy, and though there is a few made-up words for things like "Leader", we don't get too much of that other pitfall of sci-fi - stupid made-up titles and words.
The design of the film is fantastic. Nathan Crowley (production design) and Mayes C. Rubeo (costuming) somehow managed to make everything look as though it was designed with the sensibilities of someone from the early 1900's. For instance in contrast, the Buck Rogers TV show is decidedly marked as a show from the early 80's, forgoing the original look of the character. I watched in awe, right along with Carter, at the spectacle before me. I've had the Marvel Comics look stuck in my head, and some of the insanely cool Frank Frazetta stuff (actually always thought Frazetta himself to look like John Carter), and while there is plenty of that here to absorb, it really is it's own thing. As for the ships, they are what I always pictured Ornithopters from Dune to look like. Watching these things move and being piloted is also a feast for the eyes, especially during the aforementioned first heroic act of John Carter. So cool, I'm chuckling with glee as I type this!
I expected the Tharks to be a bit beefier, but obviously I've known for awhile now that they are quite lean, but they're still very tall and it plays beautifully. Willem Dafoe plays John Carters (and our) chaperon to this new world, in Carter's case wether he likes it or not. There is a bit of melodramatic sub-plot here with the Tharks that works fantastically as a device to get us around Barsoom, and we do care for these involved creatures as well. Of course, the Tharks are computer generated matched to motion captured performances and these artists are to be commended. Woola is just the coolest companion a guy could have. The animation isn't overdone and the textures are very sound. Excellent work.
Stanton and his writers Michael Chabon and Mark Andrews, deliver a script with some real heart and moments of fine humor. There's several nods to Burroughs that are fun for fans of the books. Stanton uses perspective extraordinarily well, as with Carter leaping about the airships high above the Martian landscape. The source of John Carter's rage is definitely a cliche (think Outlaw Josey Wales), but director Stanton underplays the thing - it is literally never spoken of, not once - but when we do witness the event that marks Carter's life, it is juxtaposed with a ferocious act of self sacrifice by Carter that was truly amazing to see. That is what makes Stanton so damn good. He makes amazing decisions on how best to present the information we need as an audience. The action and the effects are totally dazzling, but there's some quiet moments where the film is able to breathe and our heroes get to know each other as we get to know them. So good. Daniel Mindel's camera isn't constantly flying all over the place, delivering solid cinematography. Everything looks great. At 132 minutes, Stanton keeps this thing moving right along nicely. And that clunky opening I mentioned? Well, that turns out to be a great opening by way of a finish that had me getting a little choked up. Seriously, I got misty, and I am one grizzled cuss, people.
I saw "John Carter" in a gigantic Imax Theatre up here at the Minnesota Zoo. This isn't your AMC Imax screen, this sucker is much bigger and there is a lot of seats in this barn and the house was packed, which I was very pleased to see that level of interest in this flick. It doesn't matter if you've been a fan of John Carter for life or never heard of him before, this movie is gripping and a lot of fun. I took my sister and neice, two girls not prone to sci-fi, and they loved it. I am not a fan of 3D, but that said, I was so into it that it didn't bother me. The image was bright and it looked great, I seriously just don't like 3D. I can't wait to see this again, I mean the day it opens, in 2D! Disney really porked the marketing on this, but it's so damn good that I think it'll be pretty big. I sure hope so, because I want to see a lot more from Andrew Stanton and company regarding the citizens of Barsoom. You see, all you snot nosed punks are in the minority of people that love movies. You make up a fraction of the share. Frankly, I don't give a shit if any of you loudmouth dipshits go to see it or not. You'll miss a great movie. -
Mar 05, 2012 11:00:21 AM CST
Science fiction fans should support big Science fiction movies
by raptor_jesus
At least ones that aren't made by Citizen Lucas. I'm seeing this in the theater opening weekend. You should too. Take your friends, if you have any.
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The fact that there aren't any major press reviews yet, for a film of this size, has me smelling 'turkey'.
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Mar 05, 2012 11:41:20 AM CST
Also, I'm debating whether I should see JOHN CARTER,
by orbots commander
...or the films opening along side it, such as ROB CARSON, JOE SMITH, GREG PILL or TONY JONES.
Tough decision, that. -
There are hardly *any* major press reviews for big action blockbusters a week before release. This isn't different and not indicative of "turkey".
All the reviews by regular folk who have seen the movie should paint a different picture for you. Real critics put their reviews out the day of (or before) release. -
If I hadn't read the books, all this movie so far to me thanks to the marketers... would be about a some turkish prison "love toy" getting attacked for pending butt rape by giant white sloth spiders. Whoope doo. After reading the books I can look forward to how Disney completely screws up the source material.
Oh well, it's going to fare well in the Box Office not much else to see this weekend. I await the opening with held breath and high hopes for something Sci-fi.
It'll be a cloudy memory when Prometheus hits the screen. -
Mar 05, 2012 12:07:00 PM CST
Why do people love Gambit, can someone explain it to me?
by sunwukong86
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Video interviews would be great, but, if I'm talking to Taylor via phone, I think you'd agree that reading a transcription works out a lot better than you watching me for 15 minutes talking to someone over speakerphone.
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Like in a podcast download.
BTW, *is* there an AICN weekly podcast, and if not, why? -
his other 2 movies other than John Carter don't flop this year. He's like the next Warren Beatty minus the successful era.
-
Mar 05, 2012 1:42:20 PM CST
The John Carter flop will be one of the biggest entertainment stories of the year
by winona_ryders_pussy_juice
It's going to make Ishtar look like Showgirls.
-
Mar 05, 2012 2:06:53 PM CST
@ melgibsoncalledmethenword - So Mel Gibson made an accurate assessment of you then!
by the_genteel_gentile
Whatever race you actually are, there's no doubt that you're a discredit to it.
You're useless, please stop polluting the world with your presence. -
Mar 05, 2012 2:13:28 PM CST
Disney is either deliberately trying to sabotage or...
by the_genteel_gentile
it's a brilliant case of underselling a sure thing with reverse psychology to force people to take a personal investment in making it a word-of-mouth hit. After all, nothing sells stronger than that.
Maybe Disney looked at the success of Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, despite an atrocious marketing campaign and thought; "we can do that!"?
But I highly doubt they're that sophisticated and machiavellian. -
Mar 05, 2012 2:16:51 PM CST
@ fortunesfool - That's just your pride talking now.
by the_genteel_gentile
As you desperately try to validate all your early criticism of John Cater and Taylor Kitsch.
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Mar 05, 2012 2:25:37 PM CST
I know for an irrefutable fact that naysayers of Kitsch never watched FNL!
by the_genteel_gentile
And the fact that you didn't watch the highest quality, most seriously sincere, meticulous, complex, compassionate, fair-minded, socially conscience character drama in television history tells me everything I need to know about your opinions.
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I didn't like it.I found the whole thing flat and unengaging. It's not a bad film, it's just not a good one. The narrative is poor and it lacks any genuine emotional interest. I didn't want to not like it, in fact I had high hopes for it with Andrew Stanton at the helm. I found it rather telling that the most entertaining character was a cartoon dog.
-
Mar 05, 2012 2:34:47 PM CST
You all do realisse this movie is made by THE brain trust at Pixar right?
by the_genteel_gentile
Why would you dare doubt it?
If you're at all familar with what this film is based on. who's crating it and what performers are bringing it to fruition - there ought to be a lot of trust that this is going to be quality.
I'd be extremely surprised if this film isn't very good. -
Mar 05, 2012 2:35:48 PM CST
^^"If you're at all familar with what this film is based on, who's craFting it..."^^
by the_genteel_gentile
EDIT.
-
Mar 05, 2012 2:43:48 PM CST
@ fortunesfool - I think you talked yourself into that opinion
by the_genteel_gentile
and now you must stand by it.
Criticizing Taylor Kitsch's line delivery is pretty weak.
I KNOW for a fact, based on five glorious seasons of FNL, The Bang Bang Club and the ten minute John Carter preview that you're wrong and grasping at straws to save face.
I haven't seen the movie yet, so it's possible you're correct about poor narative and lack of genuine emotional interest, although I can't imagine Andrew Stanton allowing that. But I do know Taylor Kitsch is the real deal and a very fine and convincing actor with a ton of potential. -
Mar 05, 2012 2:45:35 PM CST
If it was called John Carter of Mars and actually had red fucking sand....
by wrath_of_fett
I'd be ALL OVER this shit, despite the shitty marketing.
The truth is, Disney fucked the pooch on both these very fucking essential points. They need to learn that lesson. -
Mar 05, 2012 2:54:21 PM CST
Just within the ten minute preview, I saw character and emotional interest.
by the_genteel_gentile
That close-up of a loose wedding band on his finger spoke volumes.
Someone on here yesterday said John Carter lacked pathos. I saw all kinds of pathos just in that little preview.
Andrew Stanton is a great storyteller. Smart, intuitive and economical. -
It's my understandinf that within the actual movie, the title card at the end states "John Cater OF MARS".
So I guess your only reservation is the red sand then?
Keep in ind that if this does well, the sequals will will be able to build a more robust world free of the learning curve shackles of this first entry.
Without having even seen this yet, I'm already anticipating the sequal where they can go full on Empire Strikes Back on it! -
Mar 05, 2012 3:00:07 PM CST
Don't care about John Carter, don't care about Battlership...
by eustisclay
...but Savages, an Oliver Stone flick from a great Don winslow novel and starring John Travolta,, Uma Thurman, and Benicio DelToro, THAT I am interested in.
-
But then I hardly see anything in theaters anymore. I mean, I'll see Spider-Man, TDKR, Prometheus and Avengers of course, but that's it.
However, I'm sure I'll blind buy the 3D Blu-ray combo pack. 3D looks WAY better in the home than it does even on IMAX. -
Oliver Stone is one my idols!
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its not just AICN promoting the hell out of it
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Mar 05, 2012 5:33:44 PM CST
So I checked John Carter. It's up about 320% on IMDB right now since this morning
by happybunni
Guess their push is working, or they just paid IMDB to raise it.
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Oh man I can already tell these "the Kidd" titles are going to get really annoying.
First it was "vs." now it's "infamous"? You haven't earned it yet kid. -
Since you haven't seen the film yet, I must bow down to your superior knowledge of it. I'm sure a lot of people will like it - hell, some fourteen year old boys may proclaim it the 'best film eva'. For me though, it was mediocre. That seems to be enough for some these days.
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fucking spot-on review!! saw it last night at universal IMAX in LA. u pretty much summed up my thoughts perfectly. really, really cool flick
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There's a question you need to ask.
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That's no dude!
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Because it isn't a f*cking superhero film or a remake.
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Billy your interview rocked as usual your still above and beyond the best. Saw John Carter and I must admit it was a much better film then I honestly anticipated. I would watch it again without a doubt. !
Ashley Pumarada :)
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