Film Adaptations - yay or nay?

[yapashley]

Yay! I get really excited when the books I read become film adaptations. Sure there''s always the risk that the movie disappoints but there's something about initial excitement when a book is announced to become a movie.

[Purneemaa]

I do like film adaptations. But everytime a book I have read is converted to a movie, I get scared. I don't want the movie people to spoil the books. But that's what usually happens.

[Sarah Nichols 7]

It depends on how well it’s done. Good example - Harry Potter series. Yes, they left out a lot of stuff. But, I didn’t have a lot of complaints. It’s hard to tackle such a huge series and condense it into 2 and a half hour movies. Bad example - Percy Jackson. TERRIBLE. Don’t have to go into much detail because everyone knows what I’m talking about. All in all, I’m open to film adaptions. You have to see them as two different forms of storytelling. What comes across well in a book may not come across in a movie.

[Preye I]

Film adaptations are either a hit or miss. If done properly then can be enjoyable to watch.

[Khushi V]

I've heard from several people that they refuse to watch a film adaptation of books they love because they feel like it changes their view of the book. (I.E. changes how they picture characters)

I have never had that problem, especially with books I love. For example, when I read A Song of Fire and Ice series, I have distinct pictures in my head of the characters that vastly differ from the actors/actresses on the show.

Does this stop you from watching adaptations?

Nope, it does not stop me from watching adaptations. Although I agree there comes a vast difference with both the format and descriptions. But it is a good feeling to watch characters go live on screen.

[RobinAbraham]

I think I love both. A good adaptation will not make the readers feel, "Oh I wish they had not cast so and so actor/actress" because it clashes with the mental image built up by you during reading. A good adaptation also should come from a person who could have plausibly written the book himself, as one might say in the case of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings. He must have had to rewrite the book himself to make such a perfect adaptation. Getting everything right in terms of casting, setting, music, screenplay etc.. to do all that he must have embodied Tolkien spiritually. And that is key I believe for any filmmaker who wants to bring a book to life.