What’s your preference?
With the release of the fifth Harry Potter movie less than 2 months away -
I ponder, which is better - an “adapted” film or one that stays true to the book(s)?
The first 2 Potter movies (Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets) were very much like the books. The texts themselves were shorter - and, thereby lent themselves easily to a 2 hour screenplay. Of course there were differences and interpretations - but they really did stay very true to the original works.
As the books got longer, the film makers had to decide which aspects they would focus on. Of course, there were also director and cast changes with movies 3 and 4 (Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire) but “by the book” fans had to take a leap of faith and accept the films for what they were - adaptations of the stories. Not bad, just different.
I will say, however, in the world of literary film - the makers of the Harry Potter series have attempted to make the movies companions to the books rather than artistic interpretations.
The book, Order of the Phoenix, was a huge read - and it will be interesting to see how it plays out on the screen. The early trailers and teasers suggest that it is going to be action packed! Due out in theaters on July 13th (in the US) - I’m sure it won’t be a disappointment.
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