John Carter film review: Stars Wars meets 300, with stunning effects and cheesy lines

Who is the first American to land on Mars? John Carter from Virginia.

Disney once again tries to turn a novel - A Princess of Mars, this time - into a blockbuster. Directed by Andrew Stanton, this action-packed sci-fi movie has been renamed after the main character, John Carter.

Carter (Taylor Kitsch) loves to tell adventure stories to his nephew. One of them features Carter being mysteriously transported to Mars - or Barsoom, as the locals call it.

Since Carter is from Earth and has lighter bones, he is able to jump much further and higher than the inhabitants. His ability makes him useful to the Thark tribe that capture him.

One day, two flying ships battle it out, and Carter rescues a girl, who turns out to be the princess of one of two prosperous nations on Mars. She tells Carter her country is in danger, and Carter decides to help her.

The movie has enjoyable computer-generated effects: the spaceship, four-armed tribal creatures and the glowing, blue super lasers are stunning. However, the storyline is slowed down by cheesy romantic lines and scenes.