3. John Carter
Rather unfairly,
John Carter was given a rough old time by critics over the summer. Scoffed at for being unoriginal and for somewhat jumping on the epic fantasy bandwagon, it garnered poor and unsatisfactory reviews. Whilst the criticism it drew wasn't truly unfounded, it did detract from the film's successes; a classic case of film critic nitpicking. Shadowing the footsteps of John Carter, a former Confederate captain of the American Civil War, the film's chronicling of an unlikely champion draws at many a heart-string before its heartfelt close. Having been unknowingly transported from Earth to Barsoom - Mars to you and me - Carter's initial priority is survival. This is made infinitely easier when Carter, who has endured and acclimatised to Earth's much denser level of gravity, is able to perform superheroic acts. After which, his focus is on returning home; a more difficult challenge. Overall,
John Carter was a genuinely enjoyable experience. Akin to a similar recent Disney release,
Prince of Persia, it was no trendsetter, neither was it revolutionary in any sense; it was merely a casual film to be content with.