Princess of Mars (2009)

When a solider in the middle east gets wounded in the line of duty, he is teleported to the planet Barsoom. There, he must face the hostile aliens to fight for his survival again.

Director:

Mark Atkins

Writers:

Mark Atkins, Edgar Rice Burroughs (novel)

Stars:

Antonio Sabato Jr., Traci Lords, Matt Lasky

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Antonio Sabato Jr.	...	John Carter
Traci Lords	...	Dejah Thoris
Matt Lasky	...	Tars Tarkas
Chacko Vadaketh	...	Sarka / Sab Than
Mitchell Gordon	...	Tal Hajus
Noelle Perris	...	Sola
Matt Lagan	...	Kantos Kan
Kimberly Ables Jindra	...	Saroh Kan
Tomas Boykin	...	Cornwell Sams
Rob Ullett	...	Hudson
Dean Kreyling	...	Atol Nard
Mohammad Kavianpour	...	Hosan
Jay Beyers	...	Thark Gordack
Ali Tagi Alexander	...	Jamal
Jonathan Footman	...	Thark

Storyline

John Carter (Antonio Sabato Jr.) is some kind of lone soldier in the middle east who looks at everyone through the scope on his rifle, until one day he gets shot a bunch of times and the government decides to reconstruct him on another planet for some reason. Naked and surrounded by hostile aliens, John Carter must fight for survival as aliens try to kill him and/or make him eat bugs. John Carter does NOT WANT TO EAT BUGS.

---

Plot Keywords:

planetary romance | alien spacecraft | spacecraft | outer space | psychotronic film | 

---

Genres:

Sci-Fi | Thriller | War

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film makes extensive use of the Vasquez Rocks for its alien landscape, appearing throughout the film as different locations.

---

Goofs

As Tars, John, and the Princess approach the pumping station, you can see the neck part of Tars' mask riding above his clothes. It can be seen multiple times as the conversation switches back and forth. But once they arrive inside the station, his "skin" is once again tucked back under his clothes.

---

Connections

Version of John Carter (2012)

User Reviews

Halfway not bad. But Traci Lords?

I've gotten through half of Princess of Mars. Not sure I can do the 2nd half. It's not that it's bad--in fact it's OK as far as super low-budget fantasy flicks go (I love the old Amicus Burroghs flicks with Doug McClure). They only used a few of the original story elements, but I guess putting six arms on Tars Tarkus or red body paint on all the "humans" would have been cost prohibitive. But what's up with casting Traci Lords as Deja Thoris, the princess? Even if you're kind in your estimation, Lords is well over 40. Not bad looking for a woman her age, but certainly not a good enough actress to make you forget that she's WAY too old for the part. I just couldn't go on with the film once she became a big part of it because I couldn't' stop thinking how virtually ANY young Hollywood actress would have been more watchable. In fact just about any woman who works at a Hooters would have been more watchable! I don't want to sound age-ist, but if a female actress of marginal acting ability is going to be running about in a skimpy outfit for over an hour on screen, she'd better be super-exceptionally hot for her age or young enough for it not to matter. I mean, really--did anyone rent this because they saw the name Traci Lords? And I want to reiterate--this is not a personal attack on Ms. Lords. I just don't think she's doing herself, or us, justice by still trying to be "the hot young chick." And Deja Thoris should be a hot young chick.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 December 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Avatar of Mars

Filming Locations:

Shea's Castle, west of Lancaster, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Asylum

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1