Difficult choices
I'd never want to have to bring a book to life, with all the limitations normally involved. I bought and read this series (those available at the time, then buying the rest as they became available) a few years ago, just after losing the last member of my family after taking care of her in my home for 3½ years. My emotional attachment to these books is strong because they helped me move forward, helped me adjust to a very new life. Today, when I saw the e-mail that we could buy or rent the film, I bought and watched immediately.
The music didn't help. I understand they needed to advance the story. If they'd done the book more literally, the film would've been four hours. So the filmmakers were left with difficult choices. For me, it would have been worth it to add ten minutes to more closely follow the death of (I won't tell who). Other than Harry Potter books/films, I've rarely both read and watched a story. I'd read this book three times before watching; a first. Trying to tell that much story in under 90 minutes, they were going to need to leave out significant moments, moments every reader, as much as, treasured.
Unfamiliar with any of them, I really liked the cast. I'd already decided I wouldn't (based on the trailer), but the three boys, the good friend, the parents and the sister - even the obnoxious twink bit part - were all really well done. I look forward to watching it again without taking 20-30 minutes to adjust to them not being exactly as I envisioned when reading. ( I pictured and mannered the two leads a lot like the two leads in 'Get Real', though American.) But at the end of the film, I had the same sense of the characters that I had with the books -- still liking Jace best.
The filmmakers gave a lot of effort with a lot of talent. There were a few especially well done moments of (I'll probably need to watch several times to adequately describe) unique editing/photography. I love the story. I just wish they could have found a way, other than musical numbers, to condense it. But I liked it better than I thought I would.
I want to give it a higher rating, maybe I will after another viewing or two. If you've found it to stream somewhere, and it still has a fairly low rating (currently 6.0), I'd encourage you to give it a try. There's a lot there. If you're debating whether or not to put money on it and you haven't read the book, follow your gut, and stick with it. I think you're likely to find it a rewarding, worthwhile watch in the end. If you liked/loved the book, just watch it.
The music didn't help. I understand they needed to advance the story. If they'd done the book more literally, the film would've been four hours. So the filmmakers were left with difficult choices. For me, it would have been worth it to add ten minutes to more closely follow the death of (I won't tell who). Other than Harry Potter books/films, I've rarely both read and watched a story. I'd read this book three times before watching; a first. Trying to tell that much story in under 90 minutes, they were going to need to leave out significant moments, moments every reader, as much as, treasured.
Unfamiliar with any of them, I really liked the cast. I'd already decided I wouldn't (based on the trailer), but the three boys, the good friend, the parents and the sister - even the obnoxious twink bit part - were all really well done. I look forward to watching it again without taking 20-30 minutes to adjust to them not being exactly as I envisioned when reading. ( I pictured and mannered the two leads a lot like the two leads in 'Get Real', though American.) But at the end of the film, I had the same sense of the characters that I had with the books -- still liking Jace best.
The filmmakers gave a lot of effort with a lot of talent. There were a few especially well done moments of (I'll probably need to watch several times to adequately describe) unique editing/photography. I love the story. I just wish they could have found a way, other than musical numbers, to condense it. But I liked it better than I thought I would.
I want to give it a higher rating, maybe I will after another viewing or two. If you've found it to stream somewhere, and it still has a fairly low rating (currently 6.0), I'd encourage you to give it a try. There's a lot there. If you're debating whether or not to put money on it and you haven't read the book, follow your gut, and stick with it. I think you're likely to find it a rewarding, worthwhile watch in the end. If you liked/loved the book, just watch it.
- Mort & Spunky the awesome cat
- Jul 2, 2020