DVD Review: “John Carter” hits blu-ray and DVD

Tuesday, June 5th, 2012

For younger audiences that missed the magic of Star Wars – movie technology at its best — John Carter does its best to harnesses movie making magic. The visuals in the film are fantastic. If you are thinking of adding the DVD to your home entertainment collection, make sure it is a blu-ray. And if you happen to be the proud owner of a new 3-D TV, this one is worth upgrading to a 3-D version. With a running time of 132 minutes you will be happy to have your remote control in hand. The story line setup and conclusion would have been better left on the cutting room floor. Instead of creating the bookends that I believe were intended, the film drags. But rest assure the visuals in this film, the world created, are stunning and well worth the watch. For our full review of the film click here.

THE PLAYERS:

Director: Andrew Stanton (WALL-E)
Writers: Andrew Stanton (screenplay), Mark Andrews (screenplay) and Michael Chabon (screenplay). Edgar Rice Burroughs (story “A Princess of Mars”)
Actors: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton, Willem Dafoe, Thomas Haden Church, Mark Strong.
Transplanted to Mars, a Civil War vet discovers a lush planet inhabited by 12-foot tall barbarians. Finding himself a prisoner of these creatures, he escapes, only to encounter a princess who is in desperate need of a savior.

WHAT YOU’LL LOVE:

The special effects and the world that is created, simply stunning.
360 degrees of John Carter, a look at the making of the film shot on one of the busiest days of production. A “behind the magic” view.
100 Years In The Making, a sort of history of John Carter from its origins to the Disney version on-screen.
Disney’s second screen, an interactive feature that the youngsters in your house will enjoy as they explore John Cater’s journal.
The second chance to marvel at the visuals in this film.

WHAT YOU’LL HATE:

That the intro and conclusion of the film are just as long and drawn out as you remembered in the theater.
That you don’t have a 3-D TV yet to watch John Carter on, this is why 3-D exists.