Inkheart Movie

The Bad

The movie came across as very rushed, though I half expected it would be, and I really can't blame them. That is one huge novel to cram into a single movie. Nonetheless, I am an Inkheart purist (haha! it feels so awesome to say that) and I thought that some of the things that were added for the movie could have been cut to make more room for some of the missing book scenes.

There was one thing in particular that bugged me, and that was the changed ending. The ending came across overly happy and cheesy in my opinion. It lacked the potency and homesickness that made it so real in the book.

Farid and Dustfinger's relationship was not very strong. (Probably to make their parting easier?) But I missed the sweet Dustfinger "father" moments. And I hated the fact that Farid was as very attatched to him, but more interested in the fire.

The "Silvertongue" being the name for all the bookreaders... meh. No. "Silvertongue" is Mo's special title. End of story.

The Good

Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger Dustfinger...

*takes breath*

Dear Paul Bettany,

Please forgive me for doubting you. I take back everything I said about your hair. I also regret my critisizing of your acting abilities. You took my breath away, end of story.

In all seriousness, I was very impressed by the casting. Bettany and Frasier were certainly the dynamic duo, and alone they made the movie worth seeing. They really made the characters come to life. I love the extra attention that was payed to the character of Dustfinger. In my opinion, they almost couldn't have done better.

Also, I like movie Farid better than book Farid. Most of the time book Farid just struck me as clueless and annoying, while movie Farid was perfectly adorkable. I loved the scene with the modern clothes.

Andy Serkis was made of win. In fact, the only character that struck me as oddly cast was Fenoglio, because I had always imagined him less feeble. But even he was awesome.

I actually liked the bit with the "great storm" from the Wizard of Oz. That was very creative and fun.

Meggie and Farid's "crush" was downplayed... really downplayed, which I appreciated. That would have really ruined the movie if they would have made it into this big, teenage, dramatic thing.

And lastly, the book whispering was a perfect touch.

Overall

The books are better. Duh.

But the movie is worth seeing, especially for the character portrayals, and certain sweet moments that I won't spoil for you. I cannot emphasize enough how incredible Paul Bettany was as Dustfinger. Just... wow.

Randomly About The Books

I know that some of my subscribers (coughRaenandMarkcough) only read this first book of the trilogy. Ahem. Allow me to say, very lovingly of course, since I am an Inkheart fan, that the first book wasn't exactly... good. I mean, it was a decent, fun book and all, but it was nothing to rave over.

But believe me when I say this, they get better. Inkspell is amazing and Inkdeath... well, it just blew my mind. Inkdeath was like the epitome of my favorite fantasy novel, and it deserves to be read by everyone. So don't ignore the rest of the trilogy just because you disliked the first. Please.