John Carter (2012)

This is a solid movie. In the Arizona Territory in 1868, former Confederate captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) of Virginia is prospecting for gold, but is pursued by the 7th Cavalry and the local Apache Indians. He enters a cave and sees a strange figure materialize holding a lighted medallion. When John picks it up he is immediately transferred to a Martian desert. The difference in gravity allows him to jump higher and be stronger. He is captured by giant four-armed green Martians known as Tharks. He is joined by red skinned human princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). They embark on a journey to discover the path for John to return to Earth, but then Dejah convinces him to fight for her people's freedom.

The heroic protagonist comes from Edgar Rice Burroughs' 11-volume Barsoom series of novels, written from 1912 to 1943. This is director Andrew Staton's first live action film, having previously worked on animated Pixar movies. Filming locations in Utah included Lake Powell and the counties of Grand, Wayne, and Kane. A special screening of the film was held for both the team members and families of the New England Patriots and New York Giants. John Carter is intended to be the first film of a trilogy.