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There is definitely a trend happening right now to move popular young adult series to the big screen. Almost anyone can name off at least one series that made the jump. Some, like The Hunger Games and Twilight, have been successful. Others, like Beautiful Creatures and The Mortal Instruments, have not. I don't think there's a certain formula for success when it comes to this. As a young adult fan, I can definitely say that we can find something to nitpick over even in the best of adaptations. Now, I present to you an adaptation that I hated and one that I loved.
The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris
vs. True Blood on HBO
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The characters are portrayed nothing like they are in the books. If you rename them, they'd be completely different people. One of the biggest downfalls with True Blood for me is the portrayal of Bill Compton. In the books, he's someone that I absolutely abhorred. In the show, he's treated as a god. Literally.
Another thing that gets me with the show is that the storylines are so far out from where the books are. Again, I get that it's a different entity and should be treated as such. But at this point, I think they should drop the "based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries" and just go with "inspired by The Southern Vampire Mysteries".
P.S. Anna Paquin is not my Sookie Stackhouse.
Twilight
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I am about to admit something to you guys that I have never admitted to anyone. I actually liked the Twilight movies. Yes, the books are never going to make my favorites list. We all know that. But the movies made the story tolerable. The casting (minus Nikki Reed's uncolored eyebrows) seemed pretty spot on. And we all know how much I crush on Robert Pattinson for hating the books as much as I do.
So there. I'm usually driving the "Books are better than their movies" bandwagon. When it comes to Twilight, I'm on the opposite side. I think a lot of it has to do with the setting. Before Twilight was even a wet dream in Stephenie Meyer's mind, I loved the Pacific Northwest. Eventually, I will live there. The films do an amazing job of showing off the scenery. It makes it easy for me to enjoy the movies.
The casting, in my opinion, was good. It wasn't the best, obviously. It never can be. Some people have an issue with Kristen Stewart because she isn't expressive enough. But I think people forget that Bella Swan wasn't either. She was written in a way that allowed the readers to easily imagine themselves as her. She was one of the least developed and described characters. Kristen Stewart is a very plain actress. For the job of filling in a role like that, I think she fit well.
Do I have to say spoilers? It's been years since the last movie came out. Should I? Spoilers. There. You've been warned. The battle scene in the final Breaking Dawn movie was positively brilliant. I was so pissed off whenever Stephenie Meyer wrapped up Breaking Dawn without any conflict. She just tied it up in a pretty little bow to make everyone happy, and it sucked. Seeing what could of been with the movie was such a treat. It gave the ending that edge that I needed.
Sound off in the comments below. Which are some of your favorite book to screen adaptations? Which ones could you have lived without? Which ones are you dying to see happen?
Why didn't I think of that? I struggled for DAYS trying to figure out what to write for this topic because I don't do graphic novels or audio books. They just do not work for me.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I usually prefer the book to the movie, but with Twilight, I definitely thought the movies were better. But the scene at the end of the final movie? I totally had a WTF moment, because I had no idea what to expect and I didn't realize it was a what if type of scenario!
Lisa @Just Another Rabid Reader
I struggled, too! It wasn't until I noticed all of my TV show DVDs that I thought of this. I'm like you, audio books and graphic novels don't work for me. Easily distracted!
DeleteYes! Twilight is one of those few times that I liked the movie more. But I really hated the books, so maybe that's why? My best friend, who I went with to see the last movie, actually walked out because she didn't realize it was Alice's vision. She regretted that after watching it on DVD!
I agree with you on True Blood. I watched for a while, but gave up in despair soon after. I didn't think to mention books vs movies for this topic either- so I wrote about author interaction. :-)
ReplyDelete--Brenda @DailyMayo
I was only able to stomach the first three seasons. The first wasn't so bad, but two was eh. Then three was like the descent into WTF land.
DeleteI latched onto your thought, "Anna Paquin is not my Sookie Stackhouse." I think I know exactly what you mean...and it's totally the difficulty that adaptations can sometimes pose. When you've created a character's image in your mind, the adapted version (their voice, their look, their mannerisms) more often than not run contrary to that. And when the self-created version is a beloved one... gah, that's why I hesitate before watching a movie adaptation. AP was so much not my Sookie that I had to create two completely separate Sookies, and tell myself that one had nothing to do with the other. :-)
ReplyDeleteI hesitate with adaptations a lot because of casting. I never really put a certain person in my mind as being Sookie, but AP just seemed like such an anti-Sookie pick. Her looks, her mannerisms, just everything. I get that it's an adaptation, but I wish Alan Ball would have been more respectful to his source content. It's frustrating. After I realized how much AP couldn't be Sookie, I looked for my own. Amber Heard is the closest that I've found that fits Sookie for me. But you're right. No one will ever match the idea I have in my mind, and after 13 books that's a pretty set in stone idea.
DeleteI read the first Sookie Stackhouse book and didn't really get into it but I love True Blood. I think if I like a show it is probably best not to read the books and to remain blissfully ignorant of the conflicts. I'm still trying to figure out if I should really read the George RR Martin books or just stick with Game of Thrones.
ReplyDeleteMy More Than Just Words post
Don't read the books if you like True Blood. Trust me. You will grow to hate the show and won't be able to watch it. My best friend had watched a few seasons of the show and LOVED it. After I convinced her that the books were worth a read, she read them and hated the show. If you like TB, stick with it. Especially if you're a Billith fan!
DeleteI have so much trouble with adaptations. And I am so not a canon girl. I get that changes must be made but I do think you need to stay true to the story.
ReplyDeleteI agree! You have some creative freedom. But there's definitely a line between "based on" and "inspired by". Too many adaptation want to claim based on when they were clearly just inspired by some of the characters/events of the source material.
DeleteI started watching True Blood when it first came out because I was on a vampire kick. I was addicted to Twilight. I get that the vampires in Twilight are completely different than any other vampire series. I watched a few of the first shows of True Blood and completely lost interest. I know better than to judge a book by the movie or TV series. I know that the show will make changes in order to fit the media format but I never gave the True Blood books a chance because of what I saw on the show. I guess I should.
ReplyDeleteYou totally should give the books a chance! True Blood is such a poor representation of the books. They're one of my very favorite series and what got me into all things paranormal. I adore those books. If you give them a try, let me know what you think!
DeleteI have to admit I liked True Blood in the beginning. It's gotten so crazy now that it isn't a show I have to watch. I also like The Vampire Diaries. The first season is loosely based on the books, and it's taken a spin of its own. I think that's a good thing though. I loved that scene is Breaking Dawn. I had wondered what they were going to do because movie-goers would have been mad if it ended exactly like the book.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mention TVD because it's iffy for me. Actually, it makes me sound like a hypocrite. I hated the TVD books, and I'm glad the show deviated completely away from them. Unlike TB/SVM, I think the source material was so flawed that the show could do nothing but improve upon it. I remember hating Elena whenever I read the first few books. I never made it through many. But TVD is one of my must see shows, along with Pretty Little Liars!
DeleteI haven't seen PLR yet. But I've heard it's awesome from everyone. I need to add it to the list of shows to binge watch. lol
DeleteI didn't think about including book to screen in my post! What a great idea! I have read a few graphic novels and comics. I haven't really listened to audiobooks. But I do love watching book to screen adaptations!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE The Hunger Games movies! They have been really good. And I really liked Divergent. I must be weird because I liked Beautiful Creatures, (didn't love, but liked) but I haven't read the series yet. I like True Blood, but I have only seen the first couple seasons. I really like The Walking Dead! And I love Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (both based off of graphic novels).
I didn't like The Mortal Instruments movie. Which made me sad, since I did enjoy the book.
Great post! :D
I've loved all of the THG movies so far! I am such a fangirl for Jennifer Lawrence. My boyfriend and I jokingly call her my best friend Jenn because I fangirl over her so much! I've yet to read the Beautiful Creatures books, but I did like the movie. Maybe that's why I'm afraid to read those books even though I have them already! I was so disappointed with the TMI movie. I love that series (and weeped today whenever I finished City of Heavenly Fire), but that movie was terrible!
DeleteYour comment about True Blood is intriguing. I haven't read the books or watched the show, but I would say your comment would apply to the Vampire Diaries show as well. The show started out great but then because this big mockery of a show - very different from the books and the original plot line. I'll still watch it though, but .. !!!
ReplyDeleteThis is where I'm a hypocrite. I didn't enjoy the TVD books at all, but I enjoy the TV show. I had a lot of issues with Elena in the books, so I'm glad for the change on the show.
DeleteGreat take on this topic! I love book to movie adaptations. I have fun nit-picking the bad ones and getting excited over the good ones. I'm always impressed when a show or movie manages to stay true to the feel of the book and only make changes which clearly improve the show or movie. My favorite recent adaptation was Anna Karenina. I thought the movie was just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing! I love to rant and rave over the adaptations. And I love whenever a beautiful story can be put on the big screen and still have the same feel to it. I love those moments. THG and LotR are the two that I was most in awe of. LotR made me cry because it was just as I imagined it. It was like watching this place that I've called home for years materialize before me!
DeleteAwesome post! There is no more important media tie than movies. I'm often surprised at the wonderful movies that turn out to be adaptations. I'm always like 'why didn't I ever know that book!!' And sometimes the adaptation inspires me to read the book! As with Anna Karenina. I have to 100% agree with DoingDewey... that movie was wonderfully done!
ReplyDeleteSuch a thought provoking post! Thanks!!
I know! Beautiful Creatures was one that I (shamefully) didn't realize was a series until I saw the movie. Now I've got to talk myself into reading the books. The movie was so great, and I have high expectations! I'll have to watch Anna Karenina since you've both mentioned it. :)
DeleteI dislike most book-to-movie adaptations, as the stories in books are specific to that medium, and there isn't a one-to-one transfer ratio to make them into a different medium. BUT the exception to this is Stardust, which was excellent as a book AND as a movie (and the same stuff happened in each, but the movie was from a completely different genre angle).
ReplyDeleteI've never seen Stardust, Beth! I'll have to give it look. I love finding good adaptations, but there really aren't that many out there!
DeleteI didn't make it past a second episode of True Blood. I haven't watched the final 2 twilight movies yet even though I own them
ReplyDeleteThe final two Twilight movies were the best, imo. But I'm not a fan of the books, so that may be why I liked them.
DeleteI've watched all the True Blood series, and the Twilight movies but haven't read a book. Should I go back?
ReplyDeleteIf you really like the show, I'd say don't read the books. I've seen two reactions from people who love the show and try to read the books. Either they hate the books because everything is totally different from the show or they love the books and abandon the show. If you're on the fence about True Blood, it might be worth it. The books truly are SO much better.
Delete