Island at the Top of the World was a pretty good Disney movie, for its time. As an added bonus, it had Mako as one of the stars. He steals the show, naturally.
I remember seeing this when I was 5 at a drive-in theater that's no longer there. I wanted to know more about Vikings after that...
I liked John Carter. My wife, who games with me, liked John Carter. Nearly everyone I've asked who saw it liked John Carter.
I'll never understand why it didn't do better. I was so hoping for franchise. At least a trilogy.
Still disappointed.
It actually didn't do THAT badly to tell the truth.
The problem was it cost an unbelievable amount to make with a budget that spiraled so out of control, by the time it was done it would have had to be the likes of a Dark Knight/Avengers/Avatar type blockbuster to make a nice enough profit to consider sequels or even be a great success...
My opinion on John Carter:
(1) I thought it was a really fun movie.
(2) However, 99% of the viewers had no idea that the story predated Star Wars by 60 years, rather than post-dating it by 40. So it came across as extremely derivative to the point of being totally unoriginal.
(3) On top of that -- and this was the real problem -- Taylor Kitsch has absolutely nowhere near the kind of larger-than-life screen charisma that propels an action-adventure movie franchise. Look at successful ones: Harrison Ford carried two of them, Ahnold two more, and Robert Downey Jr (much more recently) two more. James Bond? Moore was the Saint before that; Brosnan was Remington Steele; Dalton lasted only 2 movies before they realized he simply wasn't up to the task. If Kitsch had the goods, people would have overlooked the campy, derivative feel, they way they still do for new Bond movies.
I liked John Carter. My wife, who games with me, liked John Carter. Nearly everyone I've asked who saw it liked John Carter.
I'll never understand why it didn't do better. I was so hoping for franchise. At least a trilogy.
Still disappointed.
I thought Jon Carter was okay...it's not a favorite movie as I think they tried to cram too many things into the movie.
But really the failure of the movie mostly rested on Disney giving up on it and screwing up the marketing before it even was released.
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Dejah actually wearing clothes and not being red?
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(3) On top of that -- and this was the real problem -- Taylor Kitsch has absolutely nowhere near the kind of larger-than-life screen charisma that propels an action-adventure movie franchise.
I also liked the movie, and would have liked it more if they'd gotten someone with some *charm* in the role. Carter was supposed to be a southern gentleman, among other things, and someone able to play that up, like McConaughey (sp?), might have been able to bring that across.
Kitsch seems fine in serious roles, like in Savages, but doesn't really work as a POV/lead character, IMO. Being (for the most part), the only Earth-human on-screen for much of the movie, it was essential that Carter be an approachable engaging sort of personality.
(3) On top of that -- and this was the real problem -- Taylor Kitsch has absolutely nowhere near the kind of larger-than-life screen charisma that propels an action-adventure movie franchise.I also liked the movie, and would have liked it more if they'd gotten someone with some *charm* in the role. Carter was supposed to be a southern gentleman, among other things, and someone able to play that up, like McConaughey (sp?), might have been able to bring that across.
Kitsch seems fine in serious roles, like in Savages, but doesn't really work as a POV/lead character, IMO. Being (for the most part), the only Earth-human on-screen for much of the movie, it was essential that Carter be an approachable engaging sort of personality.
I am honestly really curious on how the Kitsch does in True Detective, since he is one of three main leads for this upcoming season
I am honestly really curious on how the Kitsch does in True Detective, since he is one of three main leads for this upcoming season
The other two are SOOOO BAAAAAD that he might shine in comparison! (I share Stewie's opinion of Colin Farrell)