Influence is a double-edged sword. Innovators may achieve immortality through their work, and through that which they inspire, but there's always the risk that, as their influence spreads, their own ideas will start to appear outdated and quaint. That which was once startling and original will look cliched and tired, that which was once daring will look tame. Such is the problem that afflicts
John Carter, which is based on the "John Carter of Mars" series of stories by Edgar Rice Burroughs, which first appeared in print one hundred years ago and became key texts in the creation of the space opera sub-genre of science fiction which gave the world
Star Wars and
Avatar, to name but two of its progeny. Considering that its source material inspired two of the most successful films ever made, it'd be surprising if
John Carter didn't feel overly familiar.
