Being a huge fan of James Patterson's 'Cross' novels and having just watched my third Cross movie I have to say I don't think i'll bother ever watching a movie of a book I've read ever again. The three Cross films were all rubbish....LOTR was OK admittedly, but not a patch on the books. Not read or seen Harry Potter so I cant comment on them.
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Do You Think Books Turned Into Movies Do It Justice?
- Thread starter RobinA
- Start date
I had a similar experience with the Bourne series. Recently finished reading The Bourne Sanction by Eric Van Lustbader that I got really interested in knowing the history of Jason Bourne.
But, in a weak moment, I thought that perhaps watching movies would be much easier than reading huge books. Watched bourne identity and supremacy in quick succession, but there was nothing as exciting, as I had found in Bourne Sanction, especially the dark mysterious villain of the book.
But, in a weak moment, I thought that perhaps watching movies would be much easier than reading huge books. Watched bourne identity and supremacy in quick succession, but there was nothing as exciting, as I had found in Bourne Sanction, especially the dark mysterious villain of the book.
Sparhawk
Active Member
I totally agree with you. Having seen the movie I think that he has brought in a depth to the charters that is lacking in the book. What movie I thought was a lot better than the book was stardust. The book was ok but just lacked something to me.
Hedwig
Member
I thought the same! The cast of the movie was so fantastic, and I loved Robert de Niro's character who was not in the book but brought so much fun to the film version.
Sparhawk
Active Member
Yes I agree, the movie has become one of my (i can always what it ) movies.
753C
Active Member
I think if the right production company gets hold of a story, they get the right director, and they get a quality cast, then anything is possible. One good example for me is the movie Gone, Baby Gone, adapted from a pretty darn good Dennis LeHane novel. I like the book a lot, but the movie in my opinion is actually superior. Maybe because the story was set in Boston, and the director is also a Bostonian he "got it". It just felt authentic and true, through and through.
But it is rare that this happens. I think the problem might be that directors get these screenplay adaptations and kind of imprint their own vision on the story, which is typically a departure from the original work. So, if you read a book and loved it.... the movie might stink to you.
But it is rare that this happens. I think the problem might be that directors get these screenplay adaptations and kind of imprint their own vision on the story, which is typically a departure from the original work. So, if you read a book and loved it.... the movie might stink to you.
Andy.54Hawken
Member
Never judge a book by its movie.
I usually prefer the books over the movie version.
The Outlaw Josey Wales....is my favorite adapation of a book into a movie. Most of the book's plot and dialogue made it into the film.
Andy
I usually prefer the books over the movie version.
The Outlaw Josey Wales....is my favorite adapation of a book into a movie. Most of the book's plot and dialogue made it into the film.
Andy
PrincessFiona60
Member
Books...Movies...I am a huge fan of both. I have the ability to watch a movie and enjoy it, even if it is a departure from the book. Sure there have been some really bad adaptations, "Starship Troopers" but the movie on it's own was not bad. I don't watch horror movies...especially those by Stephen King, the books are plenty.
gonewiththewind
Member
In almost every case, I'd say the book is a much more satisfactory experience. Authors get to tell you what is in the character's mind, his/her motivation. You also learn the backstory - what brought the characters to the place/situation they involved in. Sometimes it is possible that the folks who turn the book into a script and the director and the actors get it right - but, that is a daunting task and one that generally fails. I am not a big movie fan and see few. I prefer to stay in and read, read, read... so that may be coloring my response. But I'd rather be lost in a book for a day than watching a movie for 2 hours.
Sparhawk
Active Member
A good movie can still give you what the character is thinking and feeling. Just far more in a subtle way. You have to read the expressions and figure it out while a book tells you. You can put more of your own interpretation on a movie than a book. You can disagree with the way a character is going but you are stuck with what the author wants. Not that you aren't stuck with what the director wants but in a different way.
I loved the twilight books, so when I saw the movies I was a little disappointed. I will say they got better as they went though. Like I hate the first twilight movie. It drives me crazy every time I watch it, but New Moon was a littler better, then Eclipse was much better and Breaking Dawn was just awesome.
I never expect movies to follow the books completely and I am ok with little changes and little things left out, but when they completely off the book it makes me so mad. And then you get the people that watch the movies first then go and read the book and say that they book doesn't follow the movie at all and that the movie was much better
. those people I just feel like strangling lol.I am anxious to see how the City of Bones movie compares to the book though. I am going to have to reread that one and the Host so I can really compare them.
Landslide
Well-Known Member
I read The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan recently and immediately saw its so called movie adaptation. It's not really, it's more like they loosely based the movie on the book's story, cause they changed pretty much all that they could change: the protagonists' age, their appearance (which I'm used to by now so it doesn't bother me so much), their personality, the story and the villan...
I'm sure there's more stuff they changed but I really don't want to dwell on it further. I've decided to pretend like it was never adapted...
That being said I do intend to see the adaptation of the second book in the series because the trailler has somehow restored slightly my faith in it. But I'll be seeing it with very low expectations. Also I want to see how they'll spin the fact that the villan on the first movie wasn't who it should be.
I'm sure there's more stuff they changed but I really don't want to dwell on it further. I've decided to pretend like it was never adapted...
That being said I do intend to see the adaptation of the second book in the series because the trailler has somehow restored slightly my faith in it. But I'll be seeing it with very low expectations. Also I want to see how they'll spin the fact that the villan on the first movie wasn't who it should be.
I hate it when they do that.
Sparhawk
Active Member
I watched the movie and then read the books, and I was shocked at how much they had changed! I am also intrested in finding out how they are going to link the movies and storys together as they have changed the plot lines so much.