I finally made it out to see John Carter last week, accompanied by three kids, ages 6, 8 and 9. We went despite–or perhaps because–the film had already been declared one of the biggest all-time flops.
We all enjoyed it tremendously. The film was visually impressive, entertaining, and had a satisfying twist at the end. This was clearly a marketing failure, and one that some think might have negative consequences for years to come.
I wish I could comment on how well the film portrayed the vision of Edgar Rice Burroughs, but I have to admit I’ve never read the series. I’ve always been more interested in a possible Mars of the future, and not an impossible fantasy world of the past. Disney’s marketing missteps aside, perhaps other American moviegoers share my sentiment.