Based on reactions from real people at the theater where I watched the movie I think it's hitting all the right high points. There is action, adventure, mystery, and good writing and good acting. The trailers and teasers were not doing the movie justice.
That's all I want to say in way of review and spoilage here. But I want to reiterate what I have said here and elsewhere -- Disney really screwed up by imposing a 2-year embargo on the media for the movies. They should have been creating a lot of interest and support for the project (which is expected to run to 3 movies if this release succeeds) by letting the fans look over Andrew Stanton's shoulder. Look at how Peter Jackson engages with his fans. This is what science fiction and fantasy film-makers need to do.
There should be hundreds, thousands of Fan blogs and social media accounts dedicated to the John Carter franchise. Fans should be drooling at the mouth, standing in line waiting to see the film (okay, they were standing in line at my theater tonight). It just seems like Disney did everything in its power to act like it was ashamed of John Carter, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and the whole science fiction and fantasy genre.
Sure, some of the decision-makers who were responsible for the travesty of advance publicity for "John Carter" of Mars have since left the company -- but the truth is that Disney's CEO and Board of Directors chose the wrong people to handle the publicity. The bad decision-making began at the top.
If audiences forgive Disney for this massive promotional screwup and propel "John Carter" to the top of the box office for the weekend (and in my opinion they should) then Disney needs to take its lumps, learn its lessons, and do the next two films in the franchise better.
'Nuff said.
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