Has The Film EVER Been Better Than The Book?

[Georgia McBride]

I can name a few times people have commented that the film was nothing like the book or worse than the book but I don't recall hearing that film was better than the book. I saw Twilight with a friend who'd not yet read the book. She was hooked and went on to read and love the series. She even convinced her mother to read it. I was shocked since I didn't think the film did the book justice and thought New Moon was much better. Of course, there are many things to take into consideration in this particular case--budget being the first thing. Director being the second. That is not to say the first director did not do a good job with the budget she was given. At any rate, would love to hear your thoughts (not ncessarily re: Twilight but about films that are BETTER than the book from which they are adapted).

 

Thanks-

G

[Tiffany Truitt]

Well, in regards to Twilight, I felt New Moon (the movie) was loads better than the book. It's the only book in the series I have never re-read. Also, The Order of the Phoenix was quite better as well. Both films were better because the novels contain an over-whelming amount of whining in the narrative. I mean I love HP....I do...but if I had to read one more instance of Harry yelling in all CAPS, I would of shot myself. The films did what the book editors did not do----cut out the fluff.

[Georgia McBride]

Interesting observation, Tiffany. I read HP AFTER seeing the first film. I'm glad I did. I had no interest in the books as a reader prior to the films. Visually, the films are just stunning.

Tiffany Truitt said:

Well, in regards to Twilight, I felt New Moon (the movie) was loads better than the book. It's the only book in the series I have never re-read. Also, The Order of the Phoenix was quite better as well. Both films were better because the novels contain an over-whelming amount of whining in the narrative. I mean I love HP....I do...but if I had to read one more instance of Harry yelling in all CAPS, I would of shot myself. The films did what the book editors did not do----cut out the fluff.

[Megan Buchanan]

I would have to say I loved Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs in film form better. But, it's a completely new story, so that may be why. One major problem I see with adaptations is pacing. Take Percy Jackson for example. It felt like every scene was drawn out to fill up the time slot. Whereas with Cloudy, it was a brand new script, so it was written for film, not to follow along with the book. I also felt Where the Wild Things Are was drawn out too. Some stories just don't take 2 hours to tell.

However, I agree with Tiffany. I enjoyed the New Moon movie more than the book, but I think that was partly b/c I liked Jacob's character in the film better than the book. Let me just say, with the books, I was NOT Team Jacob.

[Georgia McBride]

Well-how about Where The Wild Things Are? I mean they REALLY needed to fill up a lot of time. They really needed to CREATE a lot of NEW imagery and story and an entire world. But then they took the creativity a little TOO far, ignoring the intention of the writer and making up a backstory that made NO SENSE WHATESOEVER and deciding not to support it at all. Sure, you can blame poor editing but at the end of the day, you have to ask why one would decide to drop you in the middle of this emotional firestorm and NOT offer any kind of support--espcially when viewers are coming with a certain expectation. And don't get me started about the ending. Grrrr. Having said that--the film had (in my humble opinion) tremendous merit. I personally enjoyed it for all of its promise. It was not appropriate for kids.

Megan Buchanan said:

I would have to say I loved Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs in film form better. But, it's a completely new story, so that may be why. One major problem I see with adaptations is pacing. Take Percy Jackson for example. It felt like every scene was drawn out to fill up the time slot. Whereas with Cloudy, it was a brand new script, so it was written for film, not to follow along with the book. I also felt Where the Wild Things Are was drawn out too. Some stories just don't take 2 hours to tell.

However, I agree with Tiffany. I enjoyed the New Moon movie more than the book, but I think that was partly b/c I liked Jacob's character in the film better than the book. Let me just say, with the books, I was NOT Team Jacob.

[Roza marie]

Eragon- I fell asleep to the first 7 pages of the book to this very day it sits there- it will probably be the one book i will never be able to read. LOVED the movie though.

As for the Harry potter series: I watched the movies. The first film then the second, I started reading the series. I picked up the fifth book by accident thinking it was the third one, not realizing there was so many out and read it. Fell in love with them and went from there picking up the first two books reading them up to the fifth book.

Percy Jackson- I loved the books- read those first before watching the film... to be honest I loved the Film how it was cast-produced- written. Only problem how they ended it makes me think it won't follow along with the second book, but the movie by itself was one of a kind. The book by itself was one of a kind. I loved both just the same and was glad they were sort of seperate.

Time travelers wife- LOVED THE FILM- Haven't had a chance to read the book yet but if anyone has is it really that good and sad. B/c the movie was heart breaking. I hope the LAST SONG by nicholas Sparks is just as awesome as the book. B/c I literally Balled my eyes out the last 55 pages of the book. Jordan there might be some tear stains in there LOL

[Roza marie]

Speaking of Harry potter- did you all know that the seventh movie will be in two parts??? That is exciting isn't it whooo hooo

[Raven Lucrecia]

I dont know if any one brought this up and I know its not really yalit but I thought the movie Bridget Jones Diary was a better movie then book.

With Harry Potter i think the books are WAYYYYY better. i feel they leave out TOO much in the movies and since I've read the books i know what they are leaving out is important I just cant see HOW they can leave it out. I just sit there for the entire movie thinking about what they didnt put it and how thats going to work. For instance in the last movie they didnt mention ONE thing about how Voldemort liked to collect things that belonged to the founders of the school and all that jazz. How is Harry suppose to know where to find the other Horcruxs Huh??? Alan Rickman(Snape) even said you had to read the sixth book because the movie woudnt suffice but anyways...I'm really passionate about Harry Potter.

As for Twilight the movie (and Breaking Dawn) turned me away from the series which is really bad but yuck i cant stand it. Everytime i read the book i would see KStew and her UGHHness and RPattz in his grossness and i just couldnt do it. i also thought breaking dawn was an EPIC FAIL.

I thought the Percy Jackson movie was good and the whole time i was watching it i didnt remember what happened in the book well somethings i did but for the most part i forgot. After the movie however i remembered and well just had a long conversation about all that was missing but i still think the movie was good. even thought they left out Ares and Clarisse, made him 16 instead of 12, and had that stupid rule of how gods couldnt see their kids...but yea good movie...book was better

SO YES I FIND THAT BRIDGET JONES DIARY WAS A BETTER MOVIE THEN BOOK:) HUZZUH FOR THE BRITISH:)

[Lorettajo Kapinos]

Though she is not exclusively YA, I love Jodi Picoult, though for whatever reasons, I am not a fan of her endings. When "My Sister's Keeper" came out, I hoped for a better ending and Hollywood delivered. This, to me, made the movie better than the book. Also, having so much emotion condensed into a short amount of time also had a stronger impact on me. I listened to others leaving the theater and found that I was in the minority (but that's not unusual for me) re: the end. But this is one rare movie that I would say was better than the book.