Oh, no.

[vr_trakowski]

Okay.  Thanks to thelongshot I just saw the trailer for The Dark Is Rising.  And, I suppose, if one hasn't read the excellent series, it probably won't be half bad a movie. 

However, if one has...  *shudder* 

Will is entirely, entirely wrong.  Wrong attitude, wrong personality, wrong flipping nation.  I cannot understand this penchant for turning a British character American, or vice versa, or whatever--why?  What on earth difference does it make?  Why change something without reason? 

It looks like they're bringing in at least one pivotal character who isn't in the books.  They're giving Will a whole bunch of powers he doesn't have, at least in the first book.  And they're turning him from a solemn, somewhat introspective English schoolboy into a cocky, irreverent, modern American.  This will ruin much of the numinosity of the series.  Isn't Harry Potter proof enough that American kids can latch onto a hero who isn't their nationality? 

I find it hard to believe that Susan Cooper is willingly allowing this travesty.  I hope she's not--I'd be sad for her, but at least she wouldn't be putting her name to something so mangled. 

Of course, I'm basing this on one long trailer.  I could be very wrong.  But if you've read the books and loved them, watch the trailer.  I think you'll agree with me. 

Comments

How to ruin a Newberry Honor Book in 5 easy steps

[jeanniemac.livejournal.com]

As to Cooper's feelings, the director (an evengelical Christian) says that they are "mixed". Check this article for a link to an interview with him. The blog is pagan and is lamenting the removal of all of the vaguely pagan, folkloric and Aurtherian elements from the story (the director says that it must be translated for modern audiences). I haven't seen the preview, but that particular bit of news tells me all I need to know about the film. The ONLY reason that I am even considering seeing the movie and that is only on video, is that Christopher Eccelston (the 9th Doctor) is playing The Rider. As far as I am concerned they cannot possibly be telling Susan Cooper's story. Its just a sad fundementalist joke...

Re: How to ruin a Newberry Honor Book in 5 easy steps

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

To me it looks like the same pathetic mess they made of the second Neverending Story movie--take the title and rewrite the story. And sheesh, saying that it has to be translated--obviously, the director has entirely missed the trend in blockbuster children's/fantasy films for what, the last ten years? Why is this person directing? He obviously has no grasp of the business.

I glanced at the interview. A phrase like "So we're really trying to make this ride feel not like a fantasy film" clearly illustrates that the director has missed the point completely. In fact, I'm starting to wonder if he even read the book. At all.

As for removing the pagan and Arthurian elements--sheesh. The twits should have chosen a book that didn't have the elements to remove, if they're so paranoid. Not to mention, "classical" Arthurian mythology (the Arthur of the romances, not the historical Arthur, I mean) is absolutely thick with Christianity.

What annoys me the most is that plenty of kids will go see this and never read the books, and think they got the better story.

Re: How to ruin a Newberry Honor Book in 5 easy steps

[jeanniemac.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with you. The books are so wonderful and this movie will ensure that kids won't read them. I am simply seething.