Sh0w and T3ll

Warning: Visuals Aren’t ALWAYS Better December 2, 2009

Don’t get me wrong, I am all for the visual aspect of things.  Usually, I think a picture can enhance more senses and tell you more than just seeing words.  However, that is not always the case.  A major example that stands out in my head is books being turned into movies.  I can honestly say, in my opinion, the movie is never as good as the book.  I am a BIG reader so I usually read the books before seeing the movies.  While I enjoy a few of them, the movies never compare to the books.  You would think that all of the extra senses being stimulated by the movies would allow the movies to be just that much better.  Maybe its just me, but the movies change the plot (in not a good way), cut things (that I find very important), and do not describe or show things as well.  The movies have so much possibility, so I do not understand why they constantly fail to live up to my expectations.  What gets me even more are the people who love the movies, but have never read the books.  In my opinion, they are seriously missing out by claiming, “I don’t read.”

Now, for some examples.  The first one that comes to my mind is “Harry Potter.”  I started out reading these books years ago when I got the first one for Christmas.  I immediately fell in love with the characters and plot, and quickly read all the books.  Naturally, I was just as excited when they were turned into movies.  However, I was extremely disappointed.  Even though I have seen every “Harry Potter” movie so far, each time I walk away from the theatre saying, “The book was way better.”  The same can be said of “Twilight” so far, and in this case I am an even bigger fan than “Harry Potter.”

My thoughts on why people prefer books?  Let me start by asking a question, do you prefer your own dreams? Or someone else’s?  How about the ability to create your own fantasies?  Or seeing someone else’s?  This is why reading is so much better.  It enables each person’s mind to expand and create their own pictures of each scene.  With reading, you can go back, reread a passage, ponder, and picture the characters different ways.  The plot in a movie seems to whiz by with characters and scenes picked out for you.  That is why, if you want your imagination or brain to grow, you should always choose to read a book.

I also found this website where it lists 20 movies that are better than their book counterparts. http://www.popcrunch.com/20-movies-better-than-the-books-they-were-based-on/ I am unsure how many of these I agree with, if any.  But I am interested to know what you think.  Everyone chime in! Tell me your opinion! Is there a certain movie that stood out as better than the book? Do you agree with me? No matter your opinion, I want to hear from you.