Do you like movies made from books? Which ones do you think have been done well, kept mostly to the plot of the book?
This is an interesting musing and the answer for me is - sometimes. I often think the movie version of a book is pale in comparison. However, there are some movie adaptations that I feel did the book(s) justice. For example, I count J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series among my favorites. I also feel that the movie franchise of HP has remained quite true to the books.
Recently, a very good friend and I went to see 'Water for Elephants'. We both agreed that the movie stayed true to the book and was indeed well done.
The same friend (hi Julia!) and I read Stieg Larsson's Millenium Trilogy last summer. We also saw all three of the movies. The first two movies - 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' and 'The Girl Who Played With Fire' were remarkably well done. However, the third, 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest' was a major letdown. The book was so good and the movies to that point had been, as well. The third movie was a mess, though. It was choppy and strangely edited. If I hadn't read the book I would have been so lost and confused watching the movie.
While I do sometimes enjoy a movie based from a book - I most often prefer the printed version of the story. I enjoy being immersed in the details that are so often left out in a movie.
Well...the only one I can think of right now is "Pride and Prejudice" - the BBC miniseries. LOVE IT.
ReplyDeleteBut um, an author whose books should NEVER go to the big screen, 'cause all the ones I've seen have been utterly atrocious? Dean Koontz... ;)
I totally agree about Harry Potter! Those books and films are absolutely amazing! I haven't read or seen Water For Elephants but I plan to soon! I've heard so many great things about both the book and movie. Here's my MM: http://tiny.cc/ay96r.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm now following your blog :)
Agreed on all counts, except Harry Potter I've never read the books so I don't have an opinion. Maybe the US versions (you know they will do all three) of the Trilogy will have a better third movie? Now that would be a nice surprise!
ReplyDeleteMmm I kind of agree with you about the Millennium Trilogy---the third movie: it was a little boring. I've only read the first book in the series but I've seen all the movies. I really enjoyed the first movie actually. Sometimes you're just in the mood for a certain movie and when you watch it, you feel really satisfied.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, here's my Musing Monday: http://www.faeryinkpress.com/archives/587
I watched "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" awhile back. It was a good adaptation, but really scary and graphic -- when you're reading you can kind of skim or not dwell on details, but in the film there's no way to unsee things. Good movie, but I don't think I'll watch the others.
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