The Sci-Fi Christian – 9/16/12 “The Sci-Fi Christian: John Carter, Savior of Mars” featuring Matt Anderson, Daniel Butcher, and Koby Radcliffe
Episode 82: John Carter, Savior of Mars
– September 16, 2012Posted in: Books, Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Movies, News, Podcast, Review, Sci-Fi
This is one of the John Carter vinylmations I mentioned. http://apps.facebook.com/disneyvinylmation/?fb_source=search&ref=ts
I am typically a spectator in the podcasting world, however, my soul was deeply distressed by your last podcast and I am compelled to speak out for truth and justice. The Barsoom series by Edgar Rice Burroughs is one of the greatest fiction book series created by man. The movie on the other hand is a perverse adaptation created by dense mind that is utterly offensive to any true lover of Barsoom. I’m sorry to call you out Daniel, but your alleged love of this movie AND the books saddens my heart and labels you a heretic of Mars. Ben, I am able to find forgiveness in my heart for your liking of this movie because you just do not know…
On an encouraging note your podcast is absolutely AMAZING! Thanks for sacrificing your time for my entertainment!
PS- I don’t believe that John Carter just vanishes from world to world on some unknown wimp. I think when he dies in one world he is transported to the other. He died on Barsoom at the end of A Princess of Mars from lack of oxygen and then dies on Earth at the beginning Gods of Mars from exposure.
Ouch
But at least you didn’t call me the other guy!
I agree the books are richer than the movie. But I still see the movie as one possible way to bring it to the big screen and an enjoyable way at that. Are there key differences yes, buti think Stanton was trying to capture key points othe story and deliver under two hours.
Your explanation of his first Martian transfer, along it’s being the right answer, makes more sense than whim. It was a point not on the tip of my brain.
Viva Barsoom!
Incidentally, the 1970s Marvel comic (“John Carter, Warlord of Mars”) was set in Carter’s decade on Mars, after most of the events of “Princess of Mars” but before he returned to Earth at the end of that book. Kane was a big Carter fan and took great pains to place it within the Carter “canon” correctly.
I haven’t read the books, but really enjoyed the movie. It wasn’t a life altering movie by any means, but it was a lot of fun.
I imagine it will be a lot like Dune. I enjoyed the Dune movie (the 80s one) but understood it to be different than the books. Funny enough on the books, I found the series difficult to plod through at times and eventually let it sit. And though I haven’t picked up any of the newer books that deal with past events, they seem very intriguing.
I guess maybe a better comparison would LOTR. I am a huge fan of the books and lore and the movies. However they are two completely different things. My biggest beef with the movies was the changing of behaviours, particularly among Frodo and Samwise. But that’s neither here nor there.
But I support, The Other Guy™, in that the movie was very entertaining and well worth watching. It has encouraged me to read the books… at some point down the road. Something the Hunger Games has not done.
-RC
Listening to the Podcast, a couple on-the-fly thoughts:
You mentioned not reading the “final” novel, “John Carter fo Mars.”
Whew, don’t bother. You dodged a bullet, there. It’s a bit of a mess. You can tell that the 1st half was penned by ERB himslef, but the second half, to our understanding was written pothumously from his notes, by family members. The quality drops off to a maddening level, to the point where you winder if they ever even read any of the source material. Example: Radium Pistols suddenly become “Atom Guns.” What the heck is an “Atom Gun?”
Excellent catch on the C.S. Lewis reference!
“Jesus is my Jeddack?” Hmmm. Gotta love the spontaneity of a podcast.
Great Job. You have a new fan!