R. L. Seiber – Google

Mediocre, and by that I mean Average film overall but some of the CGI work is lacking especially the Alien being scenes. I've seen better aliens in some games I think. Impressive concept but not very realistic and Direction could be better. Worst thing about this film is the silly dialogue and clichéd acting. Far too predictable. This film just missed being something special and different, maybe it was made too early on someone's learning curve? If you don't mind being bored there are some great scenes here that do work but they're not enough to carry an entire film. It actually has the look and feel of a made for TV production, albeit with a big budget. If you haven't seen Mission To Mars you're not missing much. Better to watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind again.... 😐

A+ for effort but a bit too mediocre for my taste. I can say that because I've seen many SciFi Fantasy films and mediocre isn't bad, just somewhere in the middle overall. Performances are fine but the story is rather drawn out and gets a bit goofy. Thirty minutes less would have paced things better, and we really don't get to know the spider 'alien' as well as we should. But then again he is a figment, isn't he? I don't feel like I got to know any of the characters well enough to care about them, despite all the melancholy. Far too much time is spent dwelling on redundant regrets. Interesting but confused effort, keeps searching for something to say to be relevant but doesn't quite know what it is or how to say it so it says everything and too many clichés are used. Makes it feel like an A.I. movie. The only reason to watch this is Adam Sandler's performance which is very good considering the subject matter, but it won't change your life. By the way if you like this you should consider watching something this movie pays homage to, another titled Solaris. Great Russian SciFi classic.

AMAZING FILM! As a youth in the 1970's I remember the comic books and novels based on Mr. Burroughs' eternal character and this is John Carter's finest moment! This film is an oddity for Disney, suprisingly adult and graphic for their family style of entertainment. Even the swearword, G.D. is spoken but just once by an ancillary character early on. I am truly impressed by the ambitiousness of this production, it's one of the most articulate and strangest CGI films I've ever seen. It reminds me of Avatar and Herbert's Dune. Hardcore SciFi. This story is very classic, written in 1912 I believe (John Carter- A Princess of Mars), and it does show a bit but it works on a number of levels that make it sophisticated enough to be timeless. I am confounded that Disney allowed this fascinating production to 'flop', or to be perceived as such! Everything about it is so well done.... I'm beginning to wonder if it was meant to be a tax write off, but why?! The franchise would have had so much to offer. If you like Classic original SciFi like Flash Gordon or Buck Rogers this film is for You! Before them, before Superman and Batman there was John Carter and he was very human. A beautiful film, a wonderful adventure. So glad it happened in my time.

Another awesome masterpiece from the great Mr. Denis Villeneuve, whose storytelling talents are rivaled only by the great Mr. Christopher Nolan. The Dune films are new benchmarks for the art of CGI in Cinema, they never would have been possible otherwise. That being said they are the most sublime realization of Science Fiction that I have ever experienced. Dune is also a violent story and I am so impressed that violence was not exploited. It's mostly implied and happens off camera which is a fine testament to the director's storytelling ability. Brilliant to make a film accessible for all. Graphic violence is a form of Pornography that we need to do away with. Amazing films, looking forward to more of the same.

Almost perfect 'prequel' for our beloved classic, but liberties have been taken with the (sigh) original.... Timothée Chalamet is a worthy succesor to Gene Wilder, even though his hair wasn't made the right color and the story is very much like a Roal Dahl story but a more dark Roal Dahl story. Too much time is spent in misery and struggle I think, even though there are 'fun' moments throughout. Most characters are adults as well which is a little unbalanced compared with the original. I also didn't enjoy seeing Willy as an 'endentured servant', but it is an interesting tangent. Just felt tiresome in short order. We all know he's clever and wiley, so why would he allow that to happen to himself in the first place? I really like the Oompa Loompa, Lofty, a wonderful piece of work but he's much more sophisticated and far from needing to be 'saved' from harm as explained by the original Willy. I'm not so sure all the musical numbers work either, some are awkward and seem unesseccary. A bit forced. It also makes Wonka feel more like Mary Poppins. I just don't feel the same Magic here that is in Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory....until the end which is STUNNING and makes Wonka worthwhile BECAUSE it harkens back to the BEAUTIFULNESS of the 1970's Willy Wonka. I do have to question why we have a (shudder) remake (?) and now a prequel, how about a SEQUEL? I would like to see how Charlie has continued the Wonka tradition and maybe he could go to Oompa Loompa island/land to help fight off the monsters that threaten them! Would be GREAT FUN.... If only Wonka could have more joyful visuals instead of being drably suppressive and grittily real....it would be phenomonal. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'C' for story. 'B' for music. 'A' for overall effort.