John Carter Family Movie Review

movie review rating guide for parents and families

MPAA Rating
PG-13

for intense sequences of violence and action

Genre
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action

Director
Andrew Stanton

Starring
Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong

Studio
Walt Disney Pictures

Release Date/In Theaters
3/9/2012

John Carter Movie Summary

An action adventure film about an ex-military captain John Carter, Taylor Kitsch, who is mysteriously transported to Mars where he becomes the center of a conflict between the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas, Willem Dafoe, and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris, Lynn Collins.

John Carter Movie Review for Parents

-by Ginger

            John Carter was first conceived in 1912 as a magazine serial. The John Carter in this soon to be Disney classic is based on the original, only the original was not in IMAX. This parental guide to the movies thinks that this is a must see for science fiction fans and non-science fiction fans alike. It promises to be potentially as epic as Star Wars.

            John Carter is a Civil War veteran with handsome close cropped black hair and eyes of steel-grey to match his sword. John Carter is transported to Mars where he finds a world of barbarians and fantastic aliens. This larger than life hero fights alien monsters gladiator style and finds himself in a fight to save a city on the planet of Barsoom (Mars). The best thing about being on Barsoom is that he finds that his strength and jumping ability are amplified. John Carter must use these abilities to save the city where he has landed.

            Disney had a lot of fun creating this one. Some of the characters that you will meet on this delightful adventure are Tardos Mors, the Jeddak (king) of Helium. There are also armies of Tharks, four armed creatures who are tribal and primitive in nature. Tars Tarkas is the king of the Tharks. You can’t forget Woola the Calot. Calots are large lizard-like creatures who also resemble a dog in a way. They have 10 legs and lots of sharp teeth, but they do have a lovable side. You definitely do not want to be on their bad side. Luckily, Woola is protective of John Carter, because Carter was the first to come to his rescue. Yes, Woola is similar to Luke Skywalker’s Wookie, only not as furry.

            The cinematography is fabulous, the creatures are fantastic, and John Carter is a larger than life hero who has come to save the day. This movie has intense action and frightening fight scenes, but then again, it would not be much of a movie without them. These scenes are the reason for the PG-13 rating. You have to be warned that the main character spends much of the movie without his shirt and that the females are scantily dressed throughout. This is the reason for placing this movie above a PG-13. Other than these details, this movie is just good science fiction that will be a delight for everyone.

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