Guest Column - Austen Attends the John Carter World Premiere!

[ShrunkenNed]

Hey all - once again, VF member Austen is back with another guest column. Through D23, Austen was able to attend the world premiere of John Carter, both on screen and the red carpet. I asked him to provide some of his experience, along with his thoughts on the film itself, which, in this writer's opinion, has not been marketed the best by Disney. After reading other reviews, hearing from Austen, and watching the fan-made trailer, I can say I'm honestly excited for a movie that I had previously passed off as a Prince of Persia clone. But I digress....

Without further ado, I hand the reins of this article over to Austen:

On February 22nd, I attended the World Premiere of John Carter, which was put on by D23. This took place in LA Live, at the Regal Cinemas. After spending a couple hours before the premiere just hanging around, I met up with my friends and we got in line to get our wristbands. We were then escorted onto the red carpet, which we walked all the way down, and into a special viewing area for D23 members only. The press was directly across from members, and shortly after we secured our spots, the celebrities started to arrive and walk the red carpet. I was able to get a few autographs (like Michael Giacchino!), and plenty of pictures. Being a guest on the red carpet is a pretty awesome experience that I hope I get to do again in the future.

The Red Carpet Rundown



Bruce Boxleitner, Assuring Fans That Tron 3 WILL Be Happening!

After all the celebrities were inside, in their own Premier room, D23 members were allowed to enter the theater. We walked into the lobby, and could choose our beverage and pick up a popcorn (Courtesy of D23!). We then had to give up all our cameras, phones, and Ipods before entering the room. As we entered, we were handed an envelope that contained a limited edition John Carter lithograph, as well as a card that said: "I saw it first!"

After we took our seats, a D23 adviser introduced director Andrew Stanton, who ran into the room, and spent the next ten minutes talking to us, and explained why he chose this movie. He then said under 3 seats had a D23 sticker, and if you happen to be on a seat with a sticker, you get a John Carter book that was signed by the cast. I, unfortunately, did not have a sticker under my seat.

Director Andrew Stanton and John Lasseter on the Red Carpet

After Mr. Stanton told his story, we put on our 3D glasses and the movie began. Now, you might have seen commercials for John Carter, and most likely you haven't been too impressed with it. I will say Disney isn't marketing this movie very well. However, I had low expectations based on the advertising, and after it finished I was blown away. I know that may sound a little biased, but if I didn't attend the premier and just saw it when it came into theaters, I'd still buy it when it came out. To me it was that good. It's a classic adventure/love story with some surprises that makes that two and a half hours fly by!

D23 did an amazing job on this one, and I'm thankful for them to give us the opportunity to attend this. It was a blast! So thank you, D23!

I highly encourage you to go see John Carter opening weekend. And for those soundtrack lovers like myself, Mr. Giacchino did an amazing job on the score. I already pre-ordered the soundtrack on Amazon.

Michael Giacchino, Composer of Favorites such as Up, The Incredibles, and, Of Course, John Carter

Thanks, Austen! Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Hope to hear more from you with future events!

[crystaltink]

I know how excited you were in getting to do this, Austen! Loved the insiders view of this. Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Hopefully we'll see more of these from you. :)

[austen]

Just wanted to say something about that trailer-


A good friend of mine knows the guy who made it. They both went to another screening at the Burbank Hero Complex last Monday night, and actually got to meet Stanton. Andrew thanked him for making the trailer, and said it was great because he was the first person to do any kind of marketing for that movie who actually understood it and got it. So that fan trailer has been director approved.

[disneylover]

So fun Austen! I'm glad everything worked out and you were able to go!! Thanks for the review!!

And P.S. totally jealous that you were that close to Bruce Boxleitner! LOVE HIM!!!

[austen]

So fun Austen! I'm glad everything worked out and you were able to go!! Thanks for the review!!

And P.S. totally jealous that you were that close to Bruce Boxleitner! LOVE HIM!!!

He was so nice! He left the press and walked over to us saying: "I'm going to visit you guys, who support me and pay my paycheck." We talked to him for a long while. I really enjoyed that. :)

[Aurorasmiles]

Austen loved loved loved that you got to do this. So Hollywood my friend. I think its pretty cool. Thanks for sharing and what a great review! Definitely one I want to see. I'm with disneylover, jealous that is, about Bruce Boxleitner. I totally crushed on him. That's awesome to hear that he was such a nice guy! Can't wait for your next adventure!

[disneylover]

Yay! That is so refreshing to hear that about Bruce. I knew he was a nice guy, but I just love it when celebrities do stuff like that! Now I LOVE him even more =)

[pjcampbell]

It really was one of the best nights I ever had. I consider myself very lucky to have gotten to go, especially in the company of some of my closest friends. I've seen the movie three times now, and I can't encourage you guys enough to go. It really is just a great movie.