Six Films Better Than the Books They’re Based On
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Annihilation by Vandermeer/Garland. I really loved the Southern Reach trilogy but the film did a great job of capturing a book that was mostly vibe and reflection and used striking visuals to condense it and keep it powerful. Neither were perfect but I’m so glad both exist.
What did you think of the other books in the series? I found the second one to be a retread and didn’t bother with the rest. Wondering if they could ever make a sequel to the movie or if there really isn’t any good material from the other books. Might make a good streaming series depending on what’s extrapolated from the ideas in the first novel.
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We asked The Atlantic’s writers and editors: What’s a film adaptation that’s better than the book?
The article explains why they consider the movies Jurassic Park, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Devil Wears Prada, The Social Network, and Clear and Present Danger each to be better than their source material.
V for Vendetta.
The original graphic novel is good, but very dated to the feel of the Thatcher years.
The film has aged a lot better and it smoothed out the pacing, making it much more enjoyable IMO.
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No, I watched it only once and it was years ago
. I remember that I loved it, but it may have aged badly.It did age poorly, the movie is too slow…
I showed it to my wife recently and I was cringing, even though I love the movie
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What did you think of the other books in the series? I found the second one to be a retread and didn’t bother with the rest. Wondering if they could ever make a sequel to the movie or if there really isn’t any good material from the other books. Might make a good streaming series depending on what’s extrapolated from the ideas in the first novel.
I read them all at once in a single volume. I agree, they become a slog in the middle and hard to even differentiate; I guess it helps relate to the state of mind of the protagonist
️. I remember really liking the end of the 4th(?) book and thinking it was the perfect finish.Right after, I read the Borne series and Veniss Underground (most beautiful/gross scene I’ve ever read in English in this one) and found them incredible and way easier to get into.
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Isn't the book super pro-fascism?
I recall an authoritarian college professor in the book. When considered alongside Heinlein's other work, I suspect the text of the professor's lectures are meant to be examined critically.
Of course, Poe's Law says that someone will take any satire at face value. Or that I took as satire something not meant to be?
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I'm going to keep adding:
Stalker by TarkovskyAnd I will say that every work of Tarkovsky that is based on literature with the expiation of Solaris (it's my personal take). I believe that if Tarkovsky had a better budget Solaris would be the best sci fi film of all times. Some production of that film distracts me from the geniality of Tarkovsky.
I don't think it's strictly speaking better, (but I'm biased because I love Strugatsky), it's such a separated thing, it's completely different from the Roadside Picnic, the book it's supposedly based on
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Isn't the book super pro-fascism?
Yes, Knowing Better has done a great analysis on such
17:52 for the book
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While not a book, The Boys tv show is vastly better than the original comics it’s based on.
That's because the original comic is pure Garth Ennis trash. It's just edgy for edginess sake with nothing to actually say beyond "celebrity culture bad".
The show still has an edginess problem, but it is much better and has a more or less coherent viewpoint.
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One should read his other works, it's been a while so not super fresh in my memory but I remember being enthralled by them at the time. Not exactly kid friendly stuff though, do be warned.
"Guts" still hauts me to this day. 20 years after I read it
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We asked The Atlantic’s writers and editors: What’s a film adaptation that’s better than the book?
The article explains why they consider the movies Jurassic Park, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Devil Wears Prada, The Social Network, and Clear and Present Danger each to be better than their source material.
What Dreams May Come. I love the movie. Could barely make it through the book.
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V for Vendetta.
The original graphic novel is good, but very dated to the feel of the Thatcher years.
The film has aged a lot better and it smoothed out the pacing, making it much more enjoyable IMO.
I agree. I read the comics after the movie and while I enjoyed them, imo the movie was better.
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Idk I quite liked the book Jurassic Park, moreso than the movie I think but tbf it is a great movie too.
At 13 years old, I finished the book on the way to watch the movie. I had been reading it for a few weeks. Great book. Imo, they're too close for me to judge which is better.
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The screenplay for the Princess Bride was written by the writer of the book iirc and just seems like a later draft of the same story but edited to be much better. And with the added bonus of having absolutely iconic performances.
I can't tell if you're making a very subtle joke with a straight face and your tongue in your cheek or if you really haven't actually read the book. The irony is just fucking delicious. I prefer S. Morgenstern's original text.
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"Guts" still hauts me to this day. 20 years after I read it
Yep that one and "Rant" are the two that I still remember but I think I read a couple more.
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Under the Skin. I love the movie. It is so evocative, and some of the imagery is incredibly disturbing without depicting traditional screen violence. The book isn't bad, but it's much more straightforward and simple by comparison. I think Jonathan Glazer really elevated the material, as he does with every movie he makes.
^ this user is a pedophile
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^ this user is a pedophile
Accusation without substance, potential legal liability if comment remains.
