John Carter from Disney opens from Disney in theaters this weekend. As a character in the public domain, we've been seeing different attempts at exposing the character to today's generation. Both Marvel and Dynamite Entertainment currently have comic series based on the characters and now Disney is hoping to build their next action-packed franchise out of it.

We watched the movie in glorious IMAX 3D and are now ready to let you know what we thought.

First of all, here's our quick first impression:

Now we'll each take a turn to go a little more in depth.

Sara's Thoughts

The best part about going into a movie with relatively low expectations is being proven wrong and actually enjoying the film. This is exactly what happened with John Carter, which far exceeded my expectations. Disney's latest film is sure to be considered an epic. Everything about this film is huge. The characters are big, bold and entertaining and the story will transport you to Edgar Rice Burroughs' mythical Mars.

The story opens in the present and transports the viewer 13 years into the past where John Carter, played by actor Taylor Kitsch, is searching for gold. What he finds instead is a an amulet that transports him millions of miles away from Earth and onto Mars. The pacing of the story is perfect. At the beginning we watch as John Carter adjusts to being in a completely different atmosphere. Mars is unlike Earth and here, Carter is given incredible powers. We are then introduced to some of the supporting characters that will play a pivotal role in the remainder of the film. The supporting characters are what really brings this film to life. It is really easy to find yourself enamored with characters like Sola, Tar-Tarkas and Woola; the lizard-dog.

There was a lot I really enjoyed about the film. The interpretation of Dejah Thoris was fantastic. She's smart, savvy, proud and she refuses to play the role of damsel in distress. She's a fully capable woman and I liked how Carter found himself attracted to these particular character qualities. The interaction between the two characters is fun, entertaining and believable.

Overall this is a great story with interesting characters and the acting is good enough that you will feel like they are on Mars. Sure the film had it's flaws. The ending was rather predictable, but if you don't think too much about it, enjoy the character interactions and can appreciate the cinematography then you will not be disappointed by this film.

Tony's Thoughts

There's nothing better than going into a movie with minimal expectations. Taylor Kitsch's name has been a bane to comic book movie fans since his performance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Having recently re-watched that movie (don't ask me why), Kitsch's performance is the least of that movie's problems. I also watched the entire Friday Night Lights series and Kitsch, while didn't have a crucial role in the series, was an extremely likable character. And that's what we get in John Carter.

Having read only a handful of random WARLORD OF MARS issues, I had a passing idea what the premise of the movie would be. Carter was a Confederate soldier that gets transported to Mars and takes part in a bunch of battles. The movie offered much more than that.

Arriving at the theater, I was a little concerned in seeing in in IMAX 3D. But the design of the glasses allowed you to see the entire screen and the effects are impressive. The movie is very ambitious in delivering several locals. We begin in the late 1800s, see some flashbacks and then journey to Mars. At some points I was wondering who exactly this movie was made for since it almost felt like there was something for everyone.

Kitsch and Lynn Collins (as Dejah Thoris) do a great job in the roles they are given. I was surprised that I somehow had no idea Mark Strong, Dominic West and other notable actors were also in the movie. Needless to say, it was a nice surprise. Which goes back to Disney's marketing for the movie. I had only seen a couple trailers. Perhaps I don't watch enough television because I haven't seen very much press for the movie and up until last week, I wasn't exactly sure when it was even being released.

The movie is not perfect. It's not supposed to be. It's about a guy that goes to Mars, fights alongside a beautiful princess while plenty of aliens are also running around. There's an odd mixture between the old time period, the simple/savage nature of the planet while we also get some heavy duty sci-fi elements. As I mentioned, there's something for everyone.

The story's pacing does have its ups and downs. We don't start out immediately on Mars, but that's a good thing. We see a little of what makes Carter tick but who he is and why he's turned his back on everything becomes clear throughout the film. The ending becomes a little predictable but what can you expect. It's not a horrible ending. It fulfills what the movie needs and there is the possibility we could see more of Barsoom.

Based on my first impression, I gave the movie a 4, rounding the score up. I wasn't expecting a whole lot but I was pleasantly entertained. Kitsch does a great job in the role and there is plenty of action and special effects to keep your eyes glued to the screen. Die hard fans might feel a little different but if you're looking for a fun movie with action, adventure and humor, and aren't necessarily looking for a masterpiece, you should be happy with this movie. I applaud Andrew Stanton in his first live action directorial debut.