I LOVE when they make my favorite books into movies. I just think it’s so fun to see the world come alive on the big screen. I used to have a hard time with little changes and things being different. But I think I’ve come to understand that story telling just has to be different in the two media. That being said there are still some movies that do a much better time keeping the spirit and story strong and others what sadly make me wonder if people will ever pick up the book or if they movie makers even read the book. Today I’m linking up some of my favorite book to movie adaptations for Top Ten Tuesday. I kept on thinking of books that I read really young and don’t remember how accurate those movies were so I left them off but I’d love to hear what some of your favorite (and least favorite) book to movie flicks are in the comments.
Best:
- The Harry Potter Movies – I’ve had my share of freak outs over the changes in these movies along the years but I still love them. They did an amazing job capturing the magical world of Harry Potter, the wonder, the characters and the adventure. I put them on all the time.
- The Lion, Witch, and The Wardrobe – I really loved the movie the characters fit how I pictured them but they kept the wonderful main message of the book while making the entrance to Narnia just as wonderful.
- The Hunger Games – Were there changes? Yes. Where the costumes kind of a let down? Yup. But this book is so complex and full of story and action that I was actually really impressed with how they did the movie. The things they decided to include cut, how they got across important bits. I think they really captured the spirit of the tale.
- The Help – I liked this. Did it blow me away like some of the other books to movies, no. But I thought it was solid and even with leaving off many major story lines I thought it kept to the heart of the story.
- The Witches – I remember loving both the book and the movie as a kid. Super fun and ahem creepy.
Worst
- Beautiful Creatures – I have such mixed feelings about Beautiful Creatures. I adored the first 3/4 of the movie but that ending WAS NOT IN THE BOOK. In fact I feel like that ending totally went against the spirit of the book and the core essence of Ethan and Lena’s relationship in the book. I really wish they hadn’t done that. In fact it took me everything to keep myself from asking Margaret Stohl how she let them butcher her book at the last signing she was at. Sigh but I held it in.
- Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightening Thief – I didn’t write down specifics but there were just SO many differences in the movie I was really disappointed. I really hope they do better with the next installment that comes out next month.
- Inkheart – Blah Brenden Fraser are you freaking serious? This is one of my favorite books, so creative, so interesting, such great story telling and amazing characters and the movie not only changed a ton but the cast was totally lacking. Ugg what a disappointing movie.
And because I was a dork this weekend and took pictures by all the movie posts of the wonderful books that will be hitting the big screen too here’s a little collage of movies I hope to be adding to my best lists. It’s extra nerve racking because some of these are my favorite books ever.
Lianne @ caffeinatedlife.net says
I was curious about Beautiful Creatures but haven’t seen it. I haven’t read the book but the supporting cast looked pretty ace.
Hehe, seems like a lot of us were very unhappy about the first Percy Jackson movie…
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Rebecca says
I forgot Inkheart! I think I enjoyed the movie overall, but you’re right, Brendan Fraiser had no place there, lol. I’ve never liked him as an actor. I’ve only seen the first three HP movies so far, but they were all very well done! I agree about The Hunger Games as well. I’ll never see the Beautiful Creatures movie – aside from disliking the book, I also thought the trailer was corny.
Beverly {Flamingo Toes} says
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who puts on the HP movies all the time. :) I had a hard time with the changes too, but the books were so amazing, that it would have been impossible for the movies to equal them. Though I still love them. lol
I completely agree with what you said about Beautiful Creatures. I was so shocked at the ending. That was completely made up. So random.
What did you think of The Host? And I’m not entirely sure I’m thrilled with the casting of Jace in City of Bones. I don’t know the actor but he’s not stunningly gorgeous like he is in the book. That’s my 2 cents. ;)
Tirta @ I Prefer Reading says
I was clearly not disappointed with The Hunger Games movie… If only they’d recast the Peeta *sigh* Everything was amazing, from the acting until beautiful, edgy costumes, the only problem for me was the chemistry between Katniss & Peeta: I see none. I even cringed when they kissed (at the cave scene) *shudders*
But I love The Help & Narnia too! They’re both really entertaining to watch :-)
Ros says
Great list Marissa! I haven’t watched the last 3 HP films, I just struggled with the changes too much. I am really looking forward to City of Bones as well, but like Bev said above, really not sure about the casting for Jace, that guy has always played kinda creepy weirdos (like the Volturi guy in Twilight) and he just doesn’t capture the image I had of Jace in my mind. Oh well, we’ll see. Just so long as they don’t mess with the story! Sounds like a good thing I didn’t bother with the Beautiful Creatures film. My sister said Warm Bodies was pretty bad – did you end up seeing it?
Ula @ Blog of Erised says
I have yet to read some of these, especially Inkheart. I couldn’t read it the first time around but I will try again because I’m curious about it.
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Simsim says
I thought The Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me were brilliant film adaptations – esp as they were short stories. But the Harry Potter films are done really well considering the level of detail that went into the books!
xx
Lenore Appelhans says
I saw Beautiful Creatures on the plane and thought it was entertaining enough, but then I never read the books.
Sara @ The Hiding Spot says
Oh my gosh, THE WITCHES. I forgot how much I loved that movie when I was younger!!
Christina (BookTasty) says
I took my husband to see Beautiful Creatures and he actually really thought it was fun, although he hadn’t read the book. So thats saying something! So, also let me say The Witches?! I’ve seen the movie in bits and pieces but never as a whole because that book FREAKED the junk out of me as a kid! The whole girl in the painting thing?! Creepy! :) Also…yay for all the upcoming YA books to movies!!
I JUST started the Ender’s Game audiobook and am loving it so far. :)
Sana @ artsy musings of a bibliophile says
I think a re-watch of all the Harry Potter series is in order. I didn’t include them in my list because nothing could just ever compare to the amazing world created by JK Rowling. Not gonna happen. Having said, I still adore the movies. Gosh, I thought I was the only one but yes, the costumes were a bit of a letdown in The Hunger Games. And yes, so freakin’ excited for City of Bones and I need to read The Ender’s Game soon.
Debra says
So…. it is a good think I didn’t know you wanted to ask Margaret Stohl that, or I might have egged you on. :)
Sandi says
This is so funny, I actually hated the book of Inkheart and LOVED the movie. Interesting tidbit of information, Cornelia Funke actually had Brenden Fraser in mind when she created the character of Mo.