Apr
John Carter of Mars
What in the world happened to the wonderful story of John Carter of Mars?
Well, to start, Disney messed with the title.
The recent movie, Disney’s John Carter was a failure, or at least that’s what the pundits would have you believe. There will not be a sequel.
Now, to some of this, the “failure” of the film is a real head-scratcher. Yes, the story was a mixture of more than one of the Barsoom books, but that didn’t make me any less interested.
I found the story compelling, and close enough to the books to be in no way offended. The special effects were wonderful, the action excellent, and the description of the near-superman powers of John Carter were well done.
So why did it fail?
With a budget of $250 million, with good actors, a decent story, and excellent effects why didn’t this movie make it?
Some are saying the title had a lot to do with it (writers, take heed). A more appropriate title might have been “John Carter of Mars” which would have gone some ways to waking up people who had not read the classic novels that this was both a sword and science romp.
Instead, Disney elected to aim for a younger audience, and put their name into the title giving us a thought that we might be seeing Micky or Donald, or any one of a thousand or so animated cute and cuddlies.
I think the “failure” was a bit more insidious, though. I think the movie failed largely because that is how it was introduced to the movie goers. Whether we believe it of ourselves or not, I think we are often lead this way or that based upon what the critics claim.
Oh, I know, there are people–myself for one–who tend to go for the movies panned by the critics. Somewhere along the line I got the idea that movie critics are not reviewing movies I would like (in the first place), and if they disliked them, I would probably enjoy them quite a bit. And, in fact, this seems to prove out.
We need only look at the John Carter movie as an example.
How did you feel about Disney’s John Carter? Did you await it breathlessly? Did you bother to go and see it? And, if you did see it, what did you think?
I couldn’t wait for John Carter, though most of the ads didn’t do it for me. The initial ads, with My Body is a Cage and Kashmere I liked, but most after I didn’t care for, but it didn’t change my desire to see it because I love the original stories so much and I LOVE the film. Seen it 7 times and would go again if it were still playing here. I think Disney did a real disservice to the film in not giving it the attention it deserved and missing the boat in multiple ways with the marketing. I believe that is the reason Rich Ross of Disney has been fired (or quit). They screwed their own blockbuster and that is uncalled for because John Carter is anything but a Turkey and should never have bombed in the US! It did very well overseas and should have done great here too. But people just didn’t go see it here, which is just sad! I hope Disney will hire a great replacement for Ross and that they redeem themselves with regards to John Carter.
I’m with you on this. I loved the film (and before them the books! In fact, I think “A Princess of Mars”, the first of the Mars books, was the first book I ever read cover to cover.
Thank you for your comment and insight.
Here is my take on the situation…having seen John Carter three times I can say that it really was an epic fun/romantic film, the likes that are no longer made these days. I think it is more an issue of poor business decisions in terms of how to market the film, which how they spent $100 million I have no clue! Ross (now former Disney Head) seems more like the reason why John Carter didn’t do as well here in the U.S., while overseas it was a huge hit! I sure hope that the new Disney chairman restores the good business practices of the film unit and allows for a John Carter sequel to be made and market the right way.
I miss movies like this as well. I hope that perhaps Disney will recognize their mistake and push on with a sequel or two. The story certainly warrants it!
I went to see John Carter because I noticed the guy from Wolverine who had a role as Gambit was in it. Didn’t know anything about Edgar rice Burroughs, his epic tales of Mars. That was the thought process for going to see John Carter. I was swept away and loved the movie. I have seen it several times, took family and friends who didn’t know the story or anything about it. The reaction was the same. They loved it. Its a good film with adventure, interplanetary love story and great creatures. I can’t see how they possibly could have spent $100 million in advertising and promotion. There’s no merchandise, posters, or T shirts. I predict when it comes out on DVD this movie will be discovered by all those who didn’t show up because they were unaware how good it was. Announcing it was huge flop 10 days into its run didn’t help. Who does that? Need to take that 1st quarter write down. Good riddance to Ross
I envy you your several viewings. I’m going to have to wait until it comes out on BluRay before I can see it again.
I agree that the loss of Ross is no loss at all.
Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
I had waited nearly 30 years to see the Barsoom stories as a movie. I remember reading an article ages ago that said Disney was going to be working on them, after giving up the rights to Narnia (which I also enjoyed) and was looking forward to seeing it.
I almost missed the movie due to the fact until someone said they’d seen it opening weekend, I thought it was still opening in June. I saw one TV ad. I had seen a trailer in the theater last summer during the $ .50 kids’ movies we went to.
I was not disappointed in the movie. It had something for everyone – humor, action, adventure, a non-sappy love story, and friendships. My entire family enjoyed it, including my husband (who hadn’t read the books), our 10 year old daughter, 7 year old son, and our almost 2 year old (she clapped a few times). Sadly, Disney seems to have given up on it. Where was the non-stop TV ads? The in store action figures and other merchandise? Where were the fast food tie ins? Normally we see so much out their for new movies I feel like I’ve already seen it before I ever get to watch it. Not so with John Carter.
We don’t go to a lot of movies, but we went to see John Carter (of Mars) two times. I would love to go see it again. We haven’t bought many DVDs over the last few years, but we will be getting John Carter (of Mars).
Disney did, indeed, drop the ball in this. It wasn’t the movie that failed, it was Disney’s marketing… and what a surprise that was. They’re usually way out front with their merchandising and advertising.
Thanks for dropping by!
When I saw the first trailer for John Carter and finally realized it was for a film about the Mars book by Burroughs, I was excited. I thought if Disney got it right, it would be a great film. And when I saw it the first time, it was a great film and Disney got it right. Unfortunately, Disney’s marketing fell far short of doing justice to this great film. And until Ross’s departure, the company line was we did what we could for this film. Now a Disney consultant is saying that marketing may have been the problem with Disney’s head of marketing departing 2 months before John Carter’s release. Hopefully.with a successful dvd release, the new powers that be at Disney will see there is life and interest in John Carter and approve a sequel.
I’m right there with you. I’ll be buying the DVD soon as it’s available, and hope, as well, that this gets them off their fat… erm… well… and gets a sequel into the works.
I appreciate your comment!
The movie was pure magic and escapism! From the beginning to the last “Barsoom”. Wonderful cast choices….Lynn will be truly the incomparable Dejah Thoris forever…and Taylor was quite awesome too! Woola stole every scene he appeared in…and Giacchino´s score was superb. I didn´t want it to end. Another “miracle” were the 100 millions spent in marketing. Pretty invisible…the bad press writing opinions without actually seeing the movie. Please, TPTB..take us back to Barsoom!
How in the world can someone pan a film they haven’t seen? What a pity!
…and YES! Let’s get a sequel in the works!
Thanks for dropping by!
I was totally blindsided by the release. Loved the books. Wanted the film and almost missed it due to not seeing ANY ads. No posters, no bus wrappers, NADA! Partly my fault for not watching TV I guess, but really Disney? Not even a coke can? Luckily I had a friend with a birthday party who spotted it. Loved the film and have been going back weekly since then and will do so as long I it plays within 50 miles of me. Pre-ordered the DVD too. Sadly I must make my own action figures since Disney didn’t bother. I really want a sequel. Mr. Iger, Mr. Lasseter – take us all back to Barsoom!
(Grin). I’d have bought that Coke (even after giving ‘em up) just to have the Barsoom can. sigh.
Thanks for the comment!
och ohem oktay wuise barsoom
Yeah. What you said. (grin)
I thought it was an instant classic. A sort of 21st century combination of Jason and the Argonauts, Star Wars, with the wonderfully unique adventure story created by Burroughs as its centerpiece. A great movie that was inexplicably ignored, marketed by apparent apathetic middle schoolers, with almost ZERO tie-ins, products, or anything. Boggle the mind. And now $300M worldwide box office, DVD sales to come, and a GOLDMINE on their hands if they have the GUTS to give Stanton the green light to make II and III simultaneously.
Hear hear!