True science fiction movies are always hit or miss. Mostly hit for me and mostly miss for Cordell. I like it when a writer or director finds a story thats isn’t based in some reestablished mythology. I like it when they try and invent some of there own. New worlds, new customs, new language. I dig it. Cordell I feel is much more traditional in the sense that he likes to be able to fall back on convention.Â JohnÂ CarterÂ (of Mars) is completely unconventional.

We start off with a War weary confederate soldier just looking to get rich and live out his live in relative peace. Of course things are never that easy. The first person to try and rope him into a fight is a cavalry man, played by Bryan Cranston! Random but enjoyable. Then he finds himself inextricably transported to Mars where not one, but TWO different alien races want to enlist him in a cause to fight for. I guess you can’t change who you are, or thats what the movie would tell you anyways. Now I brought up Bryan Cranston, but he isn’t the only memorable face in this movie. It is just filled with great character/supporting actors. Some of my favorites are of course, Dominic West, of 300 and the Wire fame, Ciarian Hinds AND James Purefoy, Polly Walker, ALL from HBOs Rome, Mark Strong, Willem Dafoe and Thomas Hayden Church. Then we get into the uncredited voice cameos which include Jon Faverau and David Schwimmer. Lots of names floating around in this movie and I loved every minute of it.

Lets move onto the 3D; Superfluous. As is most 3D done after the fact. It certainly wasn’t bad 3D, just 3D that I wouldn’t pay for again. I mean, Avatar had 3D I would pay for, the Hobbit will have 3D I will pay for, butÂ JohnÂ CarterÂ (of Mars) was 3D I wished I hadn’t. To wrap this up, I want to say that I think Sci Fi and Adventure fans alike will all findÂ JohnÂ CarterÂ a worthy time at the theater and certainly the best movie of the Year (so far that is…).

Conclusion: I say pay full price, but Cordell thinks it should be avoided all together.

Until next time…

See you at the theater!