J.K. Rowling’s infamous Harry Potter series made its mark on the “movie-verse” when it generated billions (of dollars, not Galleons) in ticket sales. Muggle moviegoers from all over the world flocked to nearby theaters to get their fill of the wizardly craze, and since then, books from all sorts of genres have fought to get their own titles up onto the big screen.
As wildly entertaining as this influx of book-to-movie franchises has been, however, it is unfortunate to note that not all adaptations have met the same success as Rowling’s magical brood. Among other things, artistic liberties made by screenwriters and directors in particular have generated as much praise as they have criticism.
English teacher and Film Festival adviser, Steve Krueger, gave his take on the matter.
“I don’t have a problem with them adapting and twisting and distorting as long as it’s interesting, adds to the effect, or makes me rethink my original understanding of something,” Krueger said. “I don’t think they have to stay true to the original text to make it an interesting film.”
Krueger added that he also believes any alterations should be “thoughtfully taken” as well as “carefully chosen.”
Some may think being an English teacher might make one more critical of book-to-movie adaptations, but Krueger showed that this is not entirely the case.
“I don’t know that my expectations are higher necessarily, but they are different,” Krueger said. “My family makes fun of me because I prefer to know next to nothing about movies before I see them. If the film is adapted from a text I know, I no longer have this blank slate. I already have preconceived notions and am interested to see how the director’s interpretation of the text compares or differs from mine. I still enjoy such films very much, but I come to them from a different angle.”
Taking a book’s plot and adapting it to the lights, camera and action that make a movie is no walk in the park. Ralph Mazza, who teaches the Film Production class, discussed the many pitfalls and challenges that may take place within the movie industry, especially where a book’s plot is concerned.
“Expense in making the movie and the length of a film, I think, play major roles in the transition from book to movie,” Mazza said. “The movies that have made successful transition to film seem to have one thing in common—they stick to the book. I feel the screenwriter and director need to stay true to the writer’s characters, locations and plot.”
A book and its movie are only as strong as the people within them. That being said, actors play an important role in book-to-movie adaptations. Mazza commented about the importance of these actors and how they are affected by the expectations of a novel’s fan base.
“I think the major issue is trying to stay true to the character. In a successful book the characters are well defined, and the reader has a mental picture of that character,” Mazza said. “The reader also has a vision of how the character acts or reacts to given situations. There is also the look. The description of the character in the book needs to be matched by the casting director. The more popular the book, the more vital this becomes.”
Inevitably, there will be differences between the book and its movie, but this doesn’t mean that the film will be any less enjoyable than its novel.
Let’s take a little stroll down memory lane and check out some of the lamest and greatest in book-to-movie flicks.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
How many blondes does it take to screw in a light bulb? Answer: none apparently, seeing as there weren’t any in director Chris Columbus’s adaptation of The Lightning Thief.
Honestly, is it really too much to ask for a golden-haired actress?
Author Rick Riordan’s bestselling series Percy Jackson and the Olympians hit theaters back in February 2010. In the movie, Logan Lerman, who plays protagonist Percy Jackson, and co-stars Brandon T. Jackson (Grover Underwood) and Alexandra Daddario (Annabeth Chase) are tasked with retrieving Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt in order to avoid a feud between the god and his brother Poseidon.
While the actors themselves made a satisfactory cast for the movie, however, the film ultimately overlooked simple details that could have easily been corrected.
Annabeth Chase is one of Percy Jackson’s most trusted allies. The daughter of Athena, Annabeth has blonde hair and steel grey eyes. Daddario, the actress slated to play Annabeth, did not have this now iconic appearance. Humans make mistakes, and that fact will never change. However, it can be argued that this movie franchise made one too many.
The goddess Persephone, who was notably absent throughout the entire Percy Jackson series, suddenly graced us with her presence, while on the other hand, Clarisse and Dionysus, who actually had a significant role within the novel, are not even mentioned until the second movie.
Yes, it is true. Sadly, the Percy Jackson movies have made some irreversible changes to the original plot, and for anyone who’s seen the most recent movie, some of these changes are certainly shocking to say the least. Though the movie can hardly be blamed for its lack of trying, it did not entirely live up to Riordan’s original masterpiece.
The Avengers
Adapting a book’s plot to fit a movie’s is difficult enough. However, when you have to deal with radioactive spiders and parallel universes, and you aren’t Stan Lee, you’re most likely dealing with some pain in your rear.
While Spiderman himself did not make an appearance in the 2012 film, his Avenger friends certainly faired well without him. Breaking a worldwide record with a revenue gain of one billion dollars over the course of 19 days, The Avengers definitely did not disappoint.
For the first time ever, superheroes Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and, of course, Captain America join forces to save the world from Loki, a mischievous Asgardian and antagonist who plans to subjugate all of mankind.
Needless to say, the movie was outstanding! With carefully developed storylines, fantastic actors, and a dash of humor that was more than appropriate for audiences of all ages, the movie has few, if any, flaws to report. Fast-paced and action-packed, the movie certainly saved more than a few bored lives.
And come on, ladies, is Captain America cute or what?
The Great Gatsby
It’s phenomenal, old sport, absolutely phenomenal!
Contemporary meets the over-privileged in this classic tale of romance in the Roarin’ Twenties, as Leonardo DiCaprio once again steps into the limelight, this time taking on the iconic role of Jay Gatsby. Overall, the reviews for this movie were mixed at best.
While many enjoyed Baz Luhrmann’s lavishly decadent adaptation of the film, there was an equal amount of displeasure about its approach, too.
For instance, many did not understand how the 21st century voices of Beyoncé and Jay-Z ended up in the midst of 1920s New York City.
It’s fair to note, however, that this method of musical scoring is a part of Luhrmann’s distinct modus operandi.
For anyone who has seen the 1996 movie Romeo + Juliet, you will find this particular director has a unique way of blending modern aspects with older pieces of literature.
What Luhrmann lacked in music he more than compensated for in plot. Ultimately, I thought the movie was written brilliantly.
The cast of The Great Gatsby as well as the movie’s screenwriters paid meticulous attention to detail. The decadence and flamboyance of the period were beautifully illustrated, and the movie successfully brought the lavish world of F. Scott Fitzgerald to life.
Upcoming attractions
Books will always have a place in our hearts and so will their movies. Don’t let one opinion form your own, however; here’s a sneak peek of some upcoming movies. Watch, enjoy and get excited because the books you love are coming onto the big screen once again.
Divergent
Tris Prior is divergent—but is actress Shailene Woodley?
In a world where a single test can define you, save you or kill you, heroine Tris finds herself on the edge—literally. Can she save herself, her family and, quite possibly, the world before it’s too late?
We shall see on March 21, 2014.
The Giver
In a utopian society, what could possibly go wrong?
Jonas has just been selected as the renowned Receiver of Memory, but whether or not he can handle his new job has yet to be determined. His life, as it turns out, is far from perfect. Dark secrets linger behind the closed doors of his utopian home, and soon the life of a baby named Gabriel is put in danger. Does Jonas have it in him to look the other way?
The Book Thief
When Death makes a stop in Nazi Germany, Liesel Meminger’s life is changed forever.
Sophia Nélisse has been cast to play the main protagonist, but can she emanate the courage of our beloved heroine?
Stay tuned to find out.
