Teaser trailer for Andrew Stanton’s John Carter (2011) Mystifies

The teaser trailer for John Carter (2011), formerly titled “John Carter of Mars,” came online a few months ago and tempered expectations.  On the one hand Disney/Pixar legend Andrew Stanton directs the film; he’s proven his worth in directing Finding Nemo and Wall-E and co-wrote numerous Pixar movies including Toy Story.  This will be his first live-action film and features a gifted cast.  On the other hand, the preview borders on cheesy with a multitude of CGI (albeit decently rendered for a preview) and leaves something to be desired.  Then again, don’t all teaser trailers do that?

The film is based on the early-twentieth century Barsoom series, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and follows Civil War veteran John Carter as he is transplanted to a distant planet (Mars presumably) where a world war rages on as well; there he discovers his destiny to become the planet’s savior.

Based on the plot synopsis and the somewhat uneven preview, the hype for the film has deflated a bit.  It actually dropped at least ten spots on my Most Anticipated Films list.  Nonetheless, audiences should faith in the filmmaking pedigree for making an immersive action-adventure.  Moreover, perhaps Stanton will bring along his deft Pixar touch that always seems to pull the heartstrings.

John Carter – starring Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Bryan Cranston, Dominic West, James Purefoy, Ciaran Hinds, Thomas Haden Church, and Mark Strong – opens in theaters on March 9, 2012.

 

 

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