Read a Book

So I know there are many people obsessing over the Twilight books and movies. I do not want to put myself in that category. I read the books within a week (I also have insomnia) and enjoyed them. But upon hearing the news of a movie I was disappointed. It seems that any type of novel or series that has a remote following is instantly turned into a film. I hardly even chose to read a popular novel anymore and wait instead for its film release.

Not only are these taking away from people reading, many are not even well made. I know that is an arguable statement but it is true. The most recent example being Twilight. The novel is entertaining, addicting, and semi-realistic. The main character, Edward, is made to be a woman's dream. He is supposed to be gorgeous but he also says the right thing. However, the movie seems to rely on his physical appeal not his mental. Anytime he said anything romantic it implied something more laughable. This made the movie, and in turn the novel, appear corny and unrealistic.

Twilight is not the only movie to have done this. The second Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie condensed three books into one confusing and pointless story that did not do the books half the justice. Also, a big favorite, Harry Potter, has fallen victim. The third and most recent fifth movies have led to disappointment. Neither has followed the story line closely and left out important details. I know a long novel must cut out detail but when the fifth movie was one of the shortest of the five Harry Potter films, you must wonder why such editing was done. If you are a true fan you will be eager to sit through a three hour movie. That would be a joy compared to a disappointing movie.

Many will dispute my argument with the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I admit these movies are awesome but few movies can achieve this. This was accomplished by making the movies longer than average (the five hour edition of The Return of the King). It also relied heavily on the material and detail from the novel rather than just the actor to make the movie work. But, to return to an earlier point, who is going to read this trilogy now when a movie can easily be watched? Very few people.

For myself, I have read many novels that are made into movies. The main reason is because I have read the novel prior to the making of the movie or I hear that the book is so much better. I however love to read. Between reading a book or watching TV, I would chose reading (I wish TV shows would be made into novels). But I have heard too often a friend saying that she will just see the movie rather than read an amazing story. It is frustrating because I know what the person is missing. A movie will never make up for the lost emotion, detail, and creativity a novel has.

A poor movie can never make up for a book. You must know that, when seeing a movie made from a book, it will never compare. And trust me, if you hear someone say the book was much better, believe them. Then go read it!