Suske en Wiske: De duistere diamant

Yesterday I saw this movie on DVD.

First thing that I've noticed: this story is completely incomprehensible if you did not read the comic-book! The story is told in a very amateurish way, which makes it sometimes difficult to follow. Of course: if you have read the book, you can fill in the missing parts. If you haven't read the book: good luck in trying to understand the story.

Or let's say the details in the story.

This is really a pity since the actors are doing a great job. Especially Stany Crets as Jerommeke is great!

Another complaint: I have never seen such unprofessional rubbish on a DVD as extra. Not much extra on the DVD, only the making of. first 10 minutes are great and you can have a look behind the scenes. But then you as spectator are treated on a movie-clip which I only can describe as some kind of camcorder record: a 3 minutes shot of a door ?? Shots filmed when the camera was supposed to be switched off (so, you see floor and ceiling). This made my DVD experience quite special I must see ;-)

conclusion: the actors did a great job, even the special effects and decors were OK. Unfortunately a bad director and bad cut totally kills this movie experience. If you have the DVD there is an unforgettable "extra" which is so bad, one have to see it to believe it.

I know "Suske en Wiske" as "Bob et Bobette". My father used to love that comic series, that's how I knew it ("Bob et Bobette" are quite unknown in France). It is not an usual comic book : it is fun, it is full of ideas, it comes with its own rules, it is a whole universes in itself (Like Tezuka Osamu's mangas for instance). Therefore, filming that in live action can seem a foolish project, it requires a lot of things : a very special casting, much money for the special effects, a great cinematography and a good director. Well... The casting is quite okay. Sidonie is played by a man, why not (the voice could have been more feminine). Lambique, well, I'm not sure of the actor. Jerome is okay. Bob and Bobette are okay too, but Bobette seems older than Bob and she has too much breast. The image is poor, we don't understand all the actions, it is not very good. The directing and the editing are a little bit outdated, it is not far from the Benny Hill Show... Therefore, I'll get back to the books, this movie maybe shouldn't have been done. Maybe the very little kids can find some fun here.

As somebody already told it here, the DVD's bonus is terrible : slow and uninteresting, it mostly shows that a German/belgian production of that kind can not be really professional as other comics-based movies of the past decade, from the US (Spiderman, Xmen, Hulk, yes, but also older movies like Popeye or Annie) and even from France (Asterix).

I think it's impossible to make a truly good movie, enjoyable for both children and adults, of the suske and wiske-comic books. The stories of this happy duo are just not cut out to be played by real actors of flesh and blood. Characters such as Lambik, Aunt Sidonia or Professor Barabas are funny in the comics, but if real actors play them they are dumb, irritating and slightly childish. This being said, I must add that the movie also has its good points. It does have that same nice atmosphere that marks the comic books and for the fans it's nice to see the universe of S&W come to live. And it has fair special-effects for a Belgian/Dutch product. Okay, it doesn't have the quality of the Harry Potter-movies, but that level simply is unreachable.

I'd recommend this movie to the real hardcore S&W-fans, the rest of the movie lovers shouldn't even try it.

When you start seeing this movie, remember: It's a kids movie

The actors are dressed up just as in the comics accept for the strange noses or 6 strings of hair like Lambik. This gives a familiar feeling and must let the viewers feel comfortable.

The actors do their best and I got the feeling they enjoyed themselves. The comic they followed to make this movie isn't the best or the most spectacular one in the series, but is one of the easiest to film because it's a story on itself and doesn't refer to things that have passed in other Suske en Wiske comics.

Because this film is a kids film, just like the comics are for kids, the story is kept simple and has a fast opening where Wiske immediately starts to suspect there is something going on. I as a 24 year old enjoyed this film nonetheless. It has its funny moments and seeing Barabas and Teletijdmachine as well as the jeep where they always use too travel with in the comics gave me a nostalgic feeling. It's good they didn't change too much on the environment, characters and objects. The 1,5 hour is just long enough to don't get bored.

I think the kids will enjoy this film, especially if they are familiar with the comics.

Okay, so the story was sorta iffy, and the acting so-so.

The casting of Suske and Lambik was on the edge.

Jeroms chest could easily have been simulated much better with foam or something, and he didn't have his eyes closed as he has in the books! But still ... the overall effort was very endearing.

But ... the special effects were way cool for such limited funds.

But ... Tante Sidonie's portrayal by a man turned out to be one of the good finds of this film, a gem really.

And OF COURSE, Wiske was surprisingly bumpy, and she didn't only have very ... nice (?) apples, but also something more, albeit two tiny tiny somethings .... ^-^ '-^ Her face DID, however, look exactly like the one in the book. She was clearly cast because of her likeness with the book Wiske.