Book Fan? Or Movie Fan? Or both?
- Thread starter PrinceOfTheWest
- Start date
ndfan1993
New member
I think opinions (or at least mine) on this sway with time. Back when PC came out, I hadn't read ALL the books yet, nor was I a huge fan. So I would have said 'I'm mostly about the movies, but enjoy the books', A few months later, by the time the DVD came out, to around a few months ago, I would have said (and I voted) 'I liked them equally'. But with more and more of VDT coming out, and being known.. I'm deffinately leaning towards liking the books more, but enjoying the movies. (Not that VDT will be bad. At all) Maybe because's this is the first movie where I've been here since before it started filming... But I dunno... In a few months, when VDT comes out, my opinion might change again 
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Lila
New member
To be completely honest, the books aren't really my thing - especially SC and TLB. Lewis's use of metaphor/symbol is a bit too abundant for my taste. The fact that they were written for children, yet are most widely enjoyed by adults, also bothers me. The movies, on the other hand, have prompted me to become more attached to the characters, plot, setting, etc. - without letting go of the important underlying messages.
LadyEm
New member
It was a toss up for me between liking both equally and loving the books but enjoying the movies a little less. I finally chose that I like them both equally - but I have to say that though I really like BOTH, its most definitely in a different way.
Movies and writing are after all are both different art forms and tell a story in a unique way that though reflects the other, it can't be exactly the same.
Despite the fact that I will always be more devoted to the books than anything else, I really do enjoy the movies for what they are. I think that the movies can bring a depth and perspective to the story that wasn't there before. In the same way, I feel as though the books are the ultimate authority on the story.
You see, I grew up on both the books, the BBC movies and animated Narnia. So for me, that gave me the fullness of my imagination as a child, and so I look forward to seeing the different additions in the movies because to me it adds dimension to a well loved story that I've read or watched a million times.
As a result, there are moments when asked about a specific scene, I will sometimes describe the scene as it were in BBC Narnia - I don't mean to, I do know better, but because this is what shaped my imagination as a child, and so has set the picture of my Narnia now in the present.
At the same time, I do have expectations that the movie merely enhance the wonder and magic and plotline that is already there. Believe me, if they, for example, took the Eustace Dragon out of Dawn Treader, or had Caspian come to England at the end of Prince Caspian...or have the Green Witch turn said Eustace into the dragon...I might have a little steam coming out of my ears, but for the minor changes and additions it simply enhances my Narnia experience.
In some ways though I really think that this is entirely in line with Lewis' instructions to his young writer fans. He had full expectations that we would imagine stories in Narnia on our own and write it down. He invited us to share in the creation of Narnian adventures...and so we have. This, I think is why we have so many different varying viewpoints of Narnia - because we all have imagined Narnia on our own, which is exactly the gift that Lewis gave us.
Movies and writing are after all are both different art forms and tell a story in a unique way that though reflects the other, it can't be exactly the same.
Despite the fact that I will always be more devoted to the books than anything else, I really do enjoy the movies for what they are. I think that the movies can bring a depth and perspective to the story that wasn't there before. In the same way, I feel as though the books are the ultimate authority on the story.
You see, I grew up on both the books, the BBC movies and animated Narnia. So for me, that gave me the fullness of my imagination as a child, and so I look forward to seeing the different additions in the movies because to me it adds dimension to a well loved story that I've read or watched a million times.
As a result, there are moments when asked about a specific scene, I will sometimes describe the scene as it were in BBC Narnia - I don't mean to, I do know better, but because this is what shaped my imagination as a child, and so has set the picture of my Narnia now in the present.
At the same time, I do have expectations that the movie merely enhance the wonder and magic and plotline that is already there. Believe me, if they, for example, took the Eustace Dragon out of Dawn Treader, or had Caspian come to England at the end of Prince Caspian...or have the Green Witch turn said Eustace into the dragon...I might have a little steam coming out of my ears, but for the minor changes and additions it simply enhances my Narnia experience.
In some ways though I really think that this is entirely in line with Lewis' instructions to his young writer fans. He had full expectations that we would imagine stories in Narnia on our own and write it down. He invited us to share in the creation of Narnian adventures...and so we have. This, I think is why we have so many different varying viewpoints of Narnia - because we all have imagined Narnia on our own, which is exactly the gift that Lewis gave us.
SammylovesNarnia1
New member
ummm
I love the Movies but enjoy the books too. I like the Actors in the films and the way they've created narnia
I love the Movies but enjoy the books too. I like the Actors in the films and the way they've created narnia
ESA Warrior
New member
I read the books, saw plays and saw the BBC movies when I was really young. But ultimately it was the new movies that made me fall in love with Narnia, causing me to go back to the books. Now I love both equally.
Narnia_bookworm
New member
I am a book purist, and I enjoy the movies only when they remain faithful to feeling overall plot of the books. I am happy to say I love how well they adapted "LWW" into a movie, Prince Caspian was good in several parts...except for the Susan and Caspian kiss. I enjoyed all the BBC Narnia films they made, and wish they would've made all seven. I am loving the look of VDT and looking forward to the Lucy and the Magician's Book scene, because that is one of my favorite scenes throughout the whole series.
mr fox
New member
ive heard of the books when i was young so i read them (i think i did see the orginal BBC series based on the books) and i read all books before the movies series started so overall i enjoy the books better but also like the movies (but i do have uneasness whenever a new movies made becuase im thinking they may stuff it up/leave out bits)
bjdoureaux
New member
I love the books and the movies equally. The movies are a quick fix for a wonderful story, and compared to most other hollywood interpretations of novels they have stayed true to Lewis' vision and overall message.
I first fell in love with the books though, and had read them all long before the movies came out. I try not to pick the movies apart, knowing that the depth of material in the books could never be fully fleshed-out on-screen.
I re-read the books and I rewatch the movies, and I anticipate the movies to come. I love it all.
I first fell in love with the books though, and had read them all long before the movies came out. I try not to pick the movies apart, knowing that the depth of material in the books could never be fully fleshed-out on-screen.
I re-read the books and I rewatch the movies, and I anticipate the movies to come. I love it all.
~Queen~Wylla~
New member
Books are better because you get to use your imagination to loose yourself in the story. You can have characters and places look the way you want them too. Also books can tell you what characters are thinking and it is difficult to tell the audiance what the character is thinking in a movie. Don't get me wrong I still like movies but books help the imagination more.
I definatly like the books better but I did enjoy the movies LWW was very close to the book PC I didn't like as much is wasn't as close to the book an VDT was pretty good closer to the book than PC. I was brought up on the books and the BBC movies. As much as I like the books I do still want to see all the books made into movies. I didn't like it that BBC stoped at SC.
I definatly like the books better but I did enjoy the movies LWW was very close to the book PC I didn't like as much is wasn't as close to the book an VDT was pretty good closer to the book than PC. I was brought up on the books and the BBC movies. As much as I like the books I do still want to see all the books made into movies. I didn't like it that BBC stoped at SC.
EustaceTheDragon
New member
Book fan
I'm not a fan of the new films (but I like the BBC version), although LWW is okay (except for the White Witch >_<). I have only seen the beginning of PC, though, got scared after hearing about the Susan/Caspian thing. I think VoDT looks interesting, though, so perhaps I'll watch it.
I'm not a fan of the new films (but I like the BBC version), although LWW is okay (except for the White Witch >_<). I have only seen the beginning of PC, though, got scared after hearing about the Susan/Caspian thing.
I think VoDT looks interesting, though, so perhaps I'll watch it.
I recommend it. Though there were a few things in Dawn Treader I wasn't fond of, by and large it was a good adaptation. I even think the film did some things better than the book. I doubt you'll be disappointed, though there are some on this forum who were.
moonspinner
Member
I would be a book fan even if the adaptations were good but so far, the movies have mostly disappointed me.
I agree with that wholeheartedly!
There were some things that were changed, and some of them WERE negative changes. But all in all, this is weighed out by the excellent parts. All that was most important remained in the movie.
HighQueenKaty
Member
I love love love love love love love the movies but I think the books are a drag. They're not boring, just a bit... Oh, bland? I feel that they are lacking something, and the battle sequences are really not that good. Then again, the lexiles are very high. I know a person who fell asleep reading, oh was it PC, VDT, and LB? I, on the other hand, have not fallen asleep but only have read LWW, PC, and a few pages of VDT before putting it away. I found PC exceptionally boring, and VDT too descriptional, while, LWW was incredibly written, though boring in some parts. I am not despising the books, I think they are an extreme work of literature and deserve to be on the classics shelf, but they do not quite suit my tastes.
I love both equally, the books for their details, descriptions, and finer points and the movies for giving faces and voices to the story. For some reason I always had a hard time with imagining what a "heavy golden voice" would sound like so i really appreciate the movies for this. That said, there were a few things here and there that i will just have to imagine such as Aslans transformation from a lamb into a lion etcetera.
Firefly77
New member
I have cherished these books for a long time, so for me there is no comparison to the movies. But I did like LLW, I believe it stayed true in the most important parts. PC was a big letdown to me, but I felt VDT was moving back in the right direction.
I have recognized also that there is value to be found in these movies, and there are a number of things I like about them. I also don't mind departures as much if they are small details (they are more annoying than anything). But compromising issues like someone's character, or omitting some words that might be "offensive" to some people is intolerable and abhominable(yes spell it with an 'h')so I take strong issue with those. But for the most part (2/3) I like the movies too.
I have recognized also that there is value to be found in these movies, and there are a number of things I like about them. I also don't mind departures as much if they are small details (they are more annoying than anything). But compromising issues like someone's character, or omitting some words that might be "offensive" to some people is intolerable and abhominable(yes spell it with an 'h')so I take strong issue with those. But for the most part (2/3) I like the movies too.
