Movie Review: John Carter

I caught the matinée of John Carter today. I found it reminiscent to Stars Wars in its epic-ness and humor; the story was interesting, the characters entertaining. My only critique concerns the actor who played the main character. Taylor Kitsch, though effective in his action segments as John Carter, needed more screen presence. Kitsch assumes the role of reluctant hero in the story, but comes off a little too unassertive and timid in his delivery. Ironically, though Mar's low gravity gives the Earthling Carter super strength and Hulk-like jumping ability, it seems to also rob him of the gravitas needed to pull off the job as male lead. (Marc Wahlberg in Planet of the Apes comes to mind). My advice to Kitsch: Rent Dirty Harry and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and take notes from Sensei Clint. Beyond that, an entertaining film. "B+"