I finally got around to watching The Dark Tower. After I watched it, I realized the film began with a very large lie: a statement to the effect that this film is based on the "Dark Tower" novels of Stephen King.
Well, let's see. One of the characters in the film was named "Roland Gilead," which does come from the novels. Another was "Walter" or the "Man in Black." And, Jake Chambers is also found in both the novels and the film. Oh yes, there was a mention of The Dark Tower and part of the action in the novels does take place in NYC. That's about all I recognized in the film as coming from the novels.
Of course, it's been a long time since I read the novels, so my memory may be a bit faulty here. So, if anyone has seen the film and recognized scenes from the novels that I obviously missed, please let me know.
One curious note: Stephen King appeared in one of the Extras, but for less than ten seconds I would guess. He said that he had Clint Eastwood in mind when he created Roland. When I read the novels, I thought Eastwood would have made a great Roland. King's second comment was that he thought that Matthew McConaughey was well cast as Walter. I thought that was a strange juxtaposition of the comments about the two of the leading roles in the film.
I think Idris Elba, who played Roland, is an excellent actor and was convincing in his role. However, he is not Clint Eastwood. So, as I watched the film, I tried to forget King's Roland and think of Elba as a different Roland.
Overall Reaction: the powers-that-be turned a highly complex and imaginative work into just another film featuring a teenager with superpowers who saves the universe. Jake is the hero and Roland is his bodyguard.
Not having read the books I quite liked it. Rather formulaic overall (as we have come to expect) but entertaining enough. I might have liked it much less if I'd already read it - apparently. I understand that there have been quite a few changes to shoehorn it into a single film (so far).
ReplyDeleteCyberKitten, agreed. It wasn't S King, but it was a passable film.
DeleteAs far as I could tell, the scriptwriter wrote it completely, using only the names of the characters and the vague threat to the Dark Tower from the novels.
R.T., I've finally gotten to the point where I am surprised when the film resembles the book(s).
ReplyDeleteA few exceptions: Zorba the Greek, for one.
And, after having read the the story the film _Psycho_ was based on, I actually thought the film was better. _Rear Window_ was another example of the film being better than the story. Hitchcock directed both films--I wonder if that had anything to do with it.
Tim, OK, will be waiting for the word.
ReplyDeleteRT: i've been worried that i'd accidentally do the same thing... i really wish it all wasn't so complicated... or i wish someone would give me a brain transplant...
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