I am a bookworm. I also fancy myself a writer. I get such mixed emotions when I see that a book or series that I love is being made into a movie or as I like to call them boovies. In each and every boovie I have seen I have wished they would have stayed true to the book. For myself I would be fearful that my life's work would be ruined by a casting crew who misses the boat or a director who wants to "make it their own". Should I be blessed enough to one day be a best selling novelist who is approached to make a boovie I would have to lay it out like this "The thing is Speilberg, it's not yours... it's mine and belongs to the fans and myself. We love it the way it is and just want to see it brought to life. So let's make it happen." hehe
In some instances it is good for example Harry Potter, I take my hat off to you. They got so many characters right and only a few wrong, and a few were right but the hair, makeup and costume team let em down(cough, cough Lupin.) As far as staying to the books lets be real they left out a lot. I'm not going to list all the ways but I will say this "Where is Peeves!?" I was twice as upset once I found out that they had him in originally and being played by none other then DROP DEAD FRED but cut him out! Why? I understand it is difficult with such a long book but honestly myself and I am sure many other Potter fans would not have minded each movie to be 5 hours long.
Then you have books like Twilight. When I see the movies I think to myself..."Did I read a different series? The casting team clearly did not read the same descriptions that I read. Uh Bella, Eric, Tyler, Edward...Sharkboy.....etc." I being a west coast girl and living in the NW was excited to read a series that was set in one of the most beautiful corners of the world, then I saw the movie and was disappointed in how inaccurate it was, It is not dark, dreary and blue toned. No one wears parkas here and we certainly don't use umbrellas unless it is a sunny day at the park. This series was guilty of my biggest pet peeve, adding things that didn't happen in the book while leaving out stuff that did! Which leads me directly into...
The Hunger Games. They as well added stuff that was not actually written into the book but in this case I think it enhanced the fans experience. Being able to see the games from the viewpoint of the game makers was a great idea. I'm not amazed by the casting choices however, Prim didn't fit for me I didn't buy her emotions at all. Peeta was an all around bad choice he was too well known and therefore can never truly be Peeta. Lastly Cato, are you serious with me on this one...the kid from race to witch mountain (the remake) look its not that I have a problem with previously known actor bing in boovie roles....ok Yes I do have a problem with that but only in certain key roles and more so when they don't fit script. He is not scary, intimidated or even Career looking to me. I don't look at him and think "Look out for that guy, He has clearly been training for this his whole life!" My biggest gripe with the hunger games is that they again left out a key player....Madge, you know the one with the mockingjay pin...that actually started the rebellion....Why on earth did they take away all of her glory...that is not cool. I do not approve.
In short I love books and I love Movies but when you combine the two it can get questionable.
