My personal rule- if I've read the book first, I set my expectations low for the movie because it cannot ever live up to the vision in my mind. The way the characters look, act and speak are all in my head and to see different people, with costumes and editing that differ from that, it takes something away from me enjoying the film. As long as I go into a movie thinking "it won't be as good as the book' I'm typically not disappointed. If I get excited about the movie and dare to re-read the book before I see the movie, then I typically don't enjoy the film because I notice all the differences and changes they've made and it drives me crazy.
Are there books I'd love to see as movies? Definitely. Are there books that should NOT be made into movies? Absolutely. Are there movies I love that are also books? Yep. But I won't read the book after I see the movie because I won't 'see it' through my eyes, I'll simply see the actors in my head so what's the point?
Harry Potter was a great adaptation of the book, but as the series went on it had it's holes. Twilight was hands down the worst movie adaptation of a book which is a shame with the popularity it had. Hunger Games remains to be seen, there's so much more to come, it's too early to say. Divergent has promise- but I'll be holding my breath and crossing my fingers that they don't ruin Four for me :)
For now, I'll simply watch all my favorite books in the movie in my mind.
What do you think? What are some great books made into successful movies that live up to the book? What would you LOVE to see made into a movie?
Thanks for Reading My Mind.
~ Lexi
