I have a strong policy of reading a book before I see the movie version. I think this is mostly because I don't want the book, which I am bound to like better, to be spoiled. Or maybe because I want to make my own mind up about what The characters and sets would look like without Hollywood's interference.
I thought I would keep this policy for my kids as well. I dreamt of reading Harry Potter to them and then watching the movies and picking through inconsistencies.
But it turns out my kids don't want to wait. Best laid plans and all...
A lovely friend sent the kids some books and we have loved delving into them. One of the books is a Chronicles of Narnia workbook, and my son is fascinated with the lion, the shields, the train, everything! He wants to watch the movie, and I happen to have a DVD, while my book is being loaned out.
So it looks like Friday night will be spent with popcorn in front of the tv watching The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. On one hand I'm sad my rule is out the window and on the other I am very hopeful that my kids will love Narnia as much as I do.
Do you watch movies or read the books first? Or does it not matter, as long as they are good?
For me, it doesn't really matter! I've quite often seen the movie first and then read the book. I did it with In Her Shoes and liked both a lot, but then I did it with The Time Traveller's Wife and hated the book, liked the movie. (I have problems with the way the book ended.) On the other hand, I saw two films with Hugh Dancy after I read the books (The Jane Austen Book Club, Confessions of a Shopaholic), didn't like the books, but did enjoy the movies. I don't think it was just Hugh Dancy, although he's awfully cute!
ReplyDeleteA lot depends on the film and the novel.
One movie I HATED after reading the book was High Road to China. The book was fabulous and the movie was terrible...left out all the good stuff.
The movie of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is pretty faithful to the book at least, so probably won't hurt too much.
Sorry for my ramble!
Mmmm Hugh Dancy!
ReplyDeleteI've never read or seen High Road to China. I'll have to get the book, but I'll probably avoid the movie now!
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe was awesome. I'm not disappointed at all that I didn't wait.
The book is by Jon Cleary and is sort of an action adventure story. There is a Japanese character in it...I wasn't in Japan when I read it so not sure how stereotyped it is...I just remember he loved noodles and was very polite. Basically 4 people have to fly to China to rescue someone (been ages since I read it) and they have amazing adventures along the way.
ReplyDeleteThe movie starred Tom Selleck. That should scare you right away! The IMDb is here http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085678/ It was such a disappointment after the novel. My Mum and I were very upset with it!
I'm glad you liked The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I did too. Prince Caspian and The Dawn Treader aren't quite as good, they take more liberties with the book, but still are fairly respectful. Fairly.