This is how you know a studio has failed to properly market a movie: they put out a minute long YouTube video explaining what the movie is actually about, complete with pop music and a jokey narrator.
Look, guys, it’s not like the “John Carter” series is complex. Wacky, yes, but complex, no. It’s about a dude who goes to Mars and gets in a bunch of fights.
Mostly this seems to be an attempt to shift the tone of the marketing and make it clear that this is not a self-serious action movie, but does actually have the occasional touch of humor to it, although the presence of the giant CGI bulldog is probably generating screams from nerds as we speak.
Anyway, the full condescension fest under the jump.
image courtesy Disney




As a licensed attorney, I am currently looking for a way to have everyone associated with this film locked up.
“It’s about a dude who goes to Mars and gets in a bunch of fights.”
And yet Russell Crowe was not considered.
Yeah, what the hell? Russell Crowe loves fightin’ ’round the worlds.
Well….I dunno. I think it’s aimed at kids – and is way better than the “Phantom Menace 3D” promo that is also aimed at kids.
Goddamnit, it’s a 100 year old story – you think they would play up its influence a bit. Or maybe they fear that would turn people off – like having “Mars” in the actual title. They think and worry themselves into corners so much they get paralyzed after awhile. Is it outdated and corny? Sure, but makes Burroughs relevant (and I hate that fucking word) is his ability to write some of the best action sequences there are.
Yeah, clearly this hasn’t been marketed by a crack squad of marketeers. But I’m liking this the more I see of it, and it looks like Carter’s introduction to Woola is pretty close to what was in the book. I’ve waited a long, long time for this movie and my ass is gonna be parked in a seat when it hits theaters.
Ugh, don’t remind me, I have to sit through that 3D turd next week. I’m looking forward to it too, but I worry it’ll be a great movie with a meh response thanks to incompetence.
If this movie does even moderately well I see no reason why DC can’t come out with a Adam Strange movie.