Lost in Translation (K1)

The Pros and Cons

of

Movies

Based off Books

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It's always been stated that the book is always better than the movie. It can also be said that some of the best movies are based off of books... With that in mind, let's consider the pros and cons of movies based off of books.

1. First and foremost is the accuracy of how the book is portrayed on the big screen. Nothing bugs me more than when something symbolic or important to the book is left out in the movie. Come on, you can't tell me that it doesn't bug you when there's a whole scene left out in the movie that was in the book? Things happen for a reason! Don't change perfection! Or, if you're going to change something, then just rewrite the whole thing and give it a different title.
2. Once again, consider the accuracy. It's a small thing, but if in the book the character is described as a giant of a man, with ash black hair, winter eyes, and the voice of a god... Then don't give me some dopey, brown haired pudgy munchkin man who doesn't in the least match the description of the character in the book. I don't care if said man is such a celebrity that he is worshipped by millions of fans worldwide. I'd rather have someone whose name I've never heard before who matches the description perfectly than otherwise.
3. Another thing I absolutely detest about today's movies is when the producer or the director or whoever decides that *Gasp!* the last book has too much plot in it to fit it all in just one last movie, so we should stretch the series as much as possible to make as much cash as is possible. Let's keep the fans waiting. Grr... Not cool. Especially when the last movie doesn't need to be stretched, but when you are, in fact, trying to make as much money as possible by following in the footsteps of movie producers before you. Harry Potter... Twilight... And now The Hunger Games? I understand with Harry Potter, but The Hunger Games does not need to be stretched into four movies. That's just a waste.
4. Another thing that bothers me is just how many movies today are based off of books. Think about it. One minute I'm reading this really good book and the next minute I find out that it's becoming a movie. Suddenly everyone at school is gushing about the movie and about how great the book was and I'm left thinking that the book was better when it wasn't an object of movie fascination. The book is always better than the movie. I understand this. And hey, movies based on books are great to visually see what's happening. Most of today's society isvisual people I just wonder if mayber there really is nothing new under the sun as I've been told? Is that why it seems like screen writers today, directors, producers, whoever's in charge of it, is that it seems like no one writes their own movies anymore? Do they have to buy the movie rights to a book in order to make a movie? Maybe it's just me.
5. The last thing I have to say about movies based off of books is this: I kind of appreciate it. Especially when the movie is made right. I understand that those that make the movie aren't going to be as religious about books as I am, that they're not going to make the movie to my vision of perfect. Regardless of that, the movies that are made right can be beautiful and are, in their own right, based on themselves. Not the book. If that makes any sense.

So that's my five pros and cons (mostly cons) about movies based on books. But don't let that stop you. I'm a pessimistic person; I'm always thinking negatively. Books help though, so...