Weekly Review of John Carter: Disney's Newest Hero

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is KB and I’m back once again with another weekly Real to Reel post and review from on new movies currently in theaters. This past weekend I had the pleasure of viewing a delightful film from Disney called “John Carter”. This movie is clearly one of Disney’s successful installments of non-animated adventure films.

John Carter takes place in the 1800s and between the two worlds of Earth and Mars. Yes, I did say Earth and Mars! The movie opens up in 1881, post civil-war era with our protagonist, main character, John Carter walking through the streets of New York City. Apparently being followed, John Carter has sent an urgent telegram to his nephew, Ned, to “come see him at once”. By the time Ned reaches his uncle, it is revealed that it is too late because John Carter has passed away and left all his rightful belongings to his favorite nephew, Ned.

John Cater has left Ned a large estate and an even larger amount of monetary wealth. Yet of all that Ned acquires in his uncle’s will, it is John Carter’s journal that seems the most important. As Ned reads the journal, it takes him back 13 years to when John Carter’s adventure began. The adventures of John Carter begin in the year of 1868 in New Mexico. As Ned reads on, he learns of his uncle’s fight with the U.S. Union Soldiers and a tribe of Apache Indian bandits. Also of his exploration and findings of gold and a mysterious “Spider” figure.

The story takes a turn for the weird once he goes in description of his deportation from Earth to Mars (or Barsoom as it is called by the natives). John Carter awakens to find himself in a foreign land and realizes that he has supernatural abilities. Ned goes on to read about his uncle’s involvement with the natives and being caught inside of civil war within the planet.

John Cater is definitely an enjoyable movie for all to see. The movie has a well-written story, which includes action, adventurewww.imdb.com/title/tt0401729/, science fiction, and a love story. This has been one of the best films that I have seen for overall and would definitely recommend it for anyone interested in seeing a well-rounded movie over a warm bag of popcorn and a cold drink.

I will have to give this film a 4.75 out of 5 stars because it doesn’t leave of any indication that there will be a sequel when there should be one.

Once again (as I normally end) this has been Real to Reel and I am KB saying “Be Easy”! Now go see the movie! 

Review: Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance

Photo Courtesy of IMDb (2011)

                                                       

So as I have promised for the past week or so, I am returning with posts of my latest major film reviews. During this time of the 2012, there have been plenty of interesting movies to choose from for review. This time around, I chose Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance for my subject of review. I am very happy to do so for particular reasons that will become clear throughout this post.

First of all, I have to say that when I first heard during the end of 2011 that a sequel to Ghost Rider would be premiering; I was ecstatic. I began searching various Videos on Demand (VOD) websites such as www.Youtube.com and www.WorldStarHipHop.com to find trailers and sneak peeks for the film. So after patiently awaiting the sequel for one of my favorite films and comic book characters. I was awarded the opportunity to see Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance.

Check out the trailer of the movie for yourself by clicking on the hyperlink for the websites above.

I will be completely honest with my opinion and review of the movie to benefit those that have not had the opportunity to see it as of yet. Let me start off by informing any potential viewers of this film that it has totally separated itself (in storyline) of the first Ghost Rider film.  Although Nicolas Cage has returned to play the famed part of Johnny Blaze/ Ghost Rider, the movie gives no reference to the original Ghost Rider film. After viewing the introduction to Ghost Rider 2, the viewer will notice that it does not coincide with how the original Ghost Rider movie concluded.

Throughout the progression of the movie, I noticed that it focused more on the visual effects rather than the storyline. The movie also never focused on the main trait of the Ghost Rider character when faced with opposition. MY GOODNESS…the Ghost Rider never cast judgment and sucked the soul of anyone that deserved so! The Ghost Rider producers and writers must have overlooked this important aspect of the franchise. What were they thinking?!

In conclusion, for those that believe they will be viewing a continuation of the first film in Spirit of Vengeance; they will be disappointed. It seems as though there should have been another sequel between the two films to give them some sort of connection. I will state that the one eye-catching part of the film would be the backstory of the Ghost Rider character. This gave clarification to the origin of the Ghost Rider, which AGAIN, was the most entertaining part of the movie. It is imperative that I inform those interested in viewing this film to WAIT until this film comes to NETFLIX, Blockbuster, Redbox, or any other DVD/VOD rental service before standing in line and purchasing an overcharged ticket for this film.

So here is my rating for this film for those interested…2.75 out of 5 stars. I simply based this rating on the liking of the visual effects and backstory of the Ghost Rider.

Until next time, this is KB and this has been Real to Reel!