This Is More Like It: The New 'John Carter' Trailer

It seems like just a couple of days ago I was griping that although the new John Carter poster is better than previous ones, the trailers are still rather somber and lacking in excitement — wait, it was just a couple of days ago.

Well, apparently Disney's marketing team was listening to me, because they've released a new John Carter trailer, and it's pretty damn exciting!

The previous peeks we've had of Andrew Stanton's new version of Edgar Rice Burroughs' science fiction spectacular have focused mainly on the terrestrial part of the tale. And while they've revealed a film that's visually sumptuous though rather dour, we all know the story really doesn't start until Carter leaves Earth and ends up on Mars, where he encounters creatures of all shapes and sizes. Thankfully, the trailer embedded below finally gives us a good look at these wonderfully weird beings.

We also get a glimpse of the immense scope of this flick. With Mars (i.e., Barsoom), the filmmakers have created a very distinct world, one that feels believable yet, at the same time, believably alien. I have to say, the special effects look pretty freaking special and the battles look truly epic, all aided by a grand arrangement of Led Zeppelin's deserted-in-the-desert classic, "Kashmir."

I haven't been much of a fan of the choice of Taylor Kitsch, but his John Carter seems somewhat more compelling here than in past previews. And, yes, Lynn Collins is still regally ravishing as Princess Dejah Thoris.

So, my fears and complaints seem to have been placated by this trailer, but it does leave me with one nagging thought. I swear I'm not looking for flaws, but after seeing all the different creature designs — which are pretty cool — I'm now worrying that the whole affair might turn out to be something of a Star Wars rip off. Check it out and see if you think I'm off base.