Share your thoughts after viewing the movie **DEFINITE SPOILERS**

[Steffen]

What a great review. You are quite a writer.

And just like my literary superhero, I'm much better at it when I'm on meds.

(oh god I was just kidding Mr King please don't put me in one of your books just so you can kill me off )

 

[Mr. Chips]

Here are my thoughts after watching this film again last night.

In order to give some context to my review, I’ll state a few things I’ve mentioned before. As the title of this thread warns, there are spoilers here.

* Yes, I am one of the legion of fans disappointed that the producers did not take a different (i.e. more faithful) approach to adapting the books.

* I too was initially puzzled by the casting of Idris Elba, mostly because I already had this vision of the traditional blue-eyed western archetype built up in my mind for the last few decades (I started reading the series when I was a wee lad in the 80s). However, I had no doubt whatsoever that Elba could capably embody the character. Watch Luther and you’ll understand the online cry for him to be the new James Bond. The dude has got it down: the swagger, the charm, the acting ability, the looks, he is the complete package.

* The moment I saw Mr King's "Last Time Around" tweet and then the follow-up announcement explaining that the film is the final cycle of Roland's journey, I thought: okay, that's interesting. Obviously not what I want, but the creative team now have the luxury of cherry-picking parts of the entire series to weave an entirely new narrative which should be intriguing not to mention being able to translate it better for cinema. I’m game.

* I was disappointed when Ron Howard left the project and Akiva Goldsman remained in charge. Akiva Goldsman has a poor track record of adapting any genre material that isn't a straight-up drama. The ensuing trailers and limited marketing/promotion didn’t exactly fill me with anticipation.

* Whenever I watch any film based on an existing source (book, play, comic, etc.), I always critique it based on two criteria: how well it holds up as a film on its own, and how well it adapts the source material. Understandably, it's difficult to separate the two sometimes. That’s why I went to see this film twice, the second time with a friend of mine who isn’t familiar with SK’s works and thus doesn’t have the baggage or attachment that I do.

* I pay little attention to reviews or review sites. I make up my mind whether I want to see a film based on the story, creative and casting teams involved, and the trailers. Critics don’t pay for my ticket, so if any money gets wasted, it's mine and mine alone, and life will go on. Since I don't have clout in the entertainment industry or a hundred million dollars to produce my own film, I risk walking away disappointed but hey, there are too many unread books or unwatched films to wallow in my dismay.


I’ll start off with how it holds up as far as adapting the source material (bearing in mind that this is a continuation of Roland’s journey). This is a very bare-bones adaptation. A lot of the rich mythology has been eschewed in favour of an introductory line giving a simplistic explanation of the Tower’s place in the Universe, followed by a Cliff’s Notes sprinkling throughout the first act of the principal elements: the Gunslinger, the Man in Black, the Devar-Toi’s role in attacking the Tower and the ensuing effect on all realities (but mostly Mid-World and our own Keystone Earth). While it does a serviceable (is that even a word? Forgive me, Sai King) enough job, I think the setup would have benefited from a brief prologue similar to that in Fellowship of the Ring. Remember that lovely introduction with Galadriel narrating the history of the One Ring and Sauron’s larger intent? It gave the audience just what we needed to know and allowed us to uncover the larger mythology during the course of the three films. I think employing a similar storytelling device would have started off this film on a more solid footing. For instance, Roland is first seen in one of Jake's visions, where the Gunslinger and his father face down Walter. It’s not a bad scene, but I thought it was an ineffective way of introducing the true protagonist of the story. The first time we actually “meet” Roland is after Jake escapes to Mid-World, and the former draws his gun on the young boy who just wants a drink of water. I thought this was a splendid way of introducing Roland, and the showdown between father, son and the Man in Black should have been shuffled down a little later in the narrative.

The cinematography is quite good. The scenes filmed in South Africa are enhanced with just the right touch of CGI, making for a Mid-World that is truly beautiful in its desolation. The film’s short running time works against this though, as the viewer really wants to spend a little more time exploring this alien terrain with its ancient relics hinting at connections with other worlds. But it’s a nice touch after seeing all this and then switching back to New York with its harsh neon lighting and huge concrete structures. While the special effects were pretty good, I do wish the threat to Roland and Jake in the forest was less a CGI-creation and instead some stuntmen in prosthetics playing Slow Mutants. Any excuse for Roland to show off more gunplay (more on that later). Seeing the Taheen/Low Men was nice as well.

The performances were good all around. I want to say they were excellent, but the actors do the best they can with what little they are given. Very little of King’s weighty dialogue and drama is seen here, something I blame squarely on Akiva Goldsman being the chief creative force behind this film. The story is told from Jake’s point of view, but unlike some reviews I’ve read, I didn’t think the characters of Roland or Walter were short-changed because of it. Tom Taylor is quite good here as Jake, especially touching in the scenes showing his grief over Walter’s cruelty. Matthew McConaughey is superb in every scene. I love how he gets in everyone’s personal space as a way of unsettling them, oozing charm and venom. His facial tics, body language, the way he enunciates his words, his casual acts of cruelty and pettiness, this guy IS the Walkin’ Dude. I wish somehow Sony would have also gotten the rights to The Stand so they could bring him back to play Randall Flagg. He is that good. And what of Idris Elba? Well, Mr Elba is every bit the haunted, cold, tragic hero that we need our Roland Deschain to be. And when he draws his guns? Man, you’d better GTFO of that guy’s way, because he doesn’t exactly waste bullets. The shootout at the Dixie Pig is particularly impressive, although Hollywood’s obsession with hyper-stylized stunts made me wince at the sight of Roland shooting his guns sideways like a common thug or while jumping off a balcony. What impedes Elba’s performance here is the same for all the characters. The film’s perfunctory dialogue, rushed pace and unwillingness to flesh out the characters undermine the material, preventing the key players from elevating it to anything approaching the greatness this story deserves. The inhabitants of the Dixie Pig, for instance, are wasted here. I was looking forward to seeing Jackie Earle Hayley as the vampire Sayre, but the film instead treats him as a glorified lackey. Indeed, the inhabitants of the Dixie Pig are just shabbily dressed miscreants rather than the mish-mash of other-worldly creatures that should have added to the weird mystique of this film.

Speaking of perfunctory dialogue, this film really had either too many writers or not enough good ones. I was dismayed at the often lack of elegance in the exchanges between some characters. Reference to Jake’s “shine” for instance is painfully overused. Roland’s speech patterns are not as sophisticated at times as they should be. Elba brings a subdued regal air to Roland, and his dialogue should have been brought up-to-scratch to enhance this quality. I know this sounds like a minor quibble, but more attention should also have been paid to the residents of Mid-World sounding distinct from us Keystone dwellers.

Is this a bad film? Certainly not. Taken on its own merits, I’d say it was a decent action film and a fun evening at the cinema. My friend who knows zip about Stephen King’s books said as much, but commented that he was confused about the mythology it was trying to establish. He pointed to the All Hail the Crimson King graffiti appearing throughout the movie as an example. Is the Crimson King Walter, or someone else? After Roland and Walter have their final confrontation at the film’s climax, does a threat to The Tower still exist? Where are Roland and Jake rushing off to, and why? Why does the final scene show that painting of the rose on the wall? And my friend is right. This film shows the wear-and-tear of too many cooks in the kitchen. And here is where my issue with the short running time becomes relevant. An extra fifteen minutes paying more attention to character beats and motivation, as well as properly shaping the mythology would have made for a less confusing and well above-average fantasy action piece. As it stands, poor storytelling choices fail to properly convey the magnitude or imperative of Roland’s quest or establish the lore of The Dark Tower, leaving the audience (the non-King readers) at the end of the film with questions arising more out of confusion than a genuine passion to know what comes next.

That being said, do I want a sequel? Yes I do, but not simply because I am a Stephen King fan. As a fan of movies in general, I believe that while this film has its shortcomings, there is nothing so broken that it can’t be improved by putting a better creative team in charge, including and especially a more competent writer. Yes, the King fanboy in me wants to see The Tower and its field of roses (it wasn’t shown here), and I am truly saddened by the throwaway mention in this film of the opening line in The Gunslinger novel (I waited so many years to see that line used properly in a film, and it wasn’t). However, I think what’s established in this first film can certainly be expanded and improved on. I also think that even some of the major changes introduced by this film (and its conceit of being a continuation of the books) can be used by clever enough writers to present an effective sequel that honours Mr King’s epic.

Bottom-line: anyone looking for a faithful adaptation of the books, you won't find it here (but you already knew that from the Last Time Around tweet). If you're in the mood for a fun fantasy-action movie, you'll like this. Yes, I had my problems with it, but I also had fun watching Roland and Walter go at each other. Enough fun to want another film. Let's see what happens.

Great review! Exactly how I felt leaving the cinema with my wife (whom hadn't read the books). I felt like I didn't get the movie I wanted( which would've been a closer adaptation, obviously), but it is a decent action film. I was entertained and thought the actors did a good job. I also left the movie thinking about Matthew in the stand. My wife enjoyed it, but wished it had more backstory to cut down on the confusion. She's gonna start the books next after she finishes IT. She's trying to read through it before the movie comes out.

 

[rockerchick]

I saw it last week. I though it was okay. It exceeded my expectations. Idris Elba put on a really good performance.

 

[recitador]

I loved it! I was totally prepared to be disappointed, and I wasn't. It did feel a bit rushed - I wish there had been another half hour at least. But having read the books, I knew what was up. I found 3 Easter Eggs - were there more? I'm not good at paying attention to the movie and the side details. I loved Idris' performance. I thought Jake was great. I actually liked the re-telling of their first encounter - with a different spin. The Gunslinger was pretty sad in that regard - how things ended with Jake in the book, I mean. I liked that it was parts of Wolves, parts of Book 7, references to Tull and the Wastelands, house demons. I can't complain about anything except the length.

Here's a way for those of you truly upset by it maybe to reconcile it your head. Think of all those Gregory Maguire books - Wicked, and the like. He picked parts of a real piece of literature and put a different spin on them. I bought After Alice today and it made me think of this. No one ever said it would be a verbatim re-telling of the epic that is The Dark Tower. And could anyone ever do it to anyone's satisfaction? Not likely.

Just my thoughts for you. It was definitely worth the ticket price.

Now, is there an Easter Egg thread for The Dark Tower? I have a feeling I missed a bunch.

That's a good idea. I picked up a few (It, 1408, Christine, The Shining), but missed some. I hope someone starts a separate thread for this.

here's some, most of which were featured in that one short trailer:

1408 above the portal they used to get to new york from the village
pennywise sign in the mid world abandoned carnival
twin girls who reminded of the twins from the shining (were they in the book or just the movie, i forget)
obviously the overabundance of references to the shine
a picture of overlook hotel (in the psychiatrists' office?)
someone walking a dog that looked like cujo on the streets of new york
model car of christine in jake's room
barlow and straker sign in the backround of the chaos after roland crashes out of dixie pig
picture of rita hayworth but i forget where it popped up
the "hello there" with the smiley face i think was maybe a call out to the hodges trilogy
one of paul sheldon's books was in the control room for the breakers
the number 19 is scattered around a couple places i think
there's a rose on the door of the place they came out of in new york

overall there were a lot of things from different DT books too, but i'm not sure how many more were just sort of put in the backround vs actually explained.

 

[Creepshow666]

95 minutes. Should have been just one scene. Roland dances the Commalla. End

 

[osnafrank]

Watched it last Sunday.

To make a long Story short.
I didn`t expected an 1:1 Screening, but t he Movie was....common...
I was wrong about Idris Elba. Facial expression , Gestures...great !!
Tom Taylor is a dead loss, id on`t blame him.
I watched it , but thats it, won`t watch it twice

It is like Star Trek-Enterprise

 

[carrie's younger brother]

Here's a way for those of you truly upset by it maybe to reconcile it your head. Think of all those Gregory Maguire books - Wicked, and the like. He picked parts of a real piece of literature and put a different spin on them. I bought After Alice today and it made me think of this. No one ever said it would be a verbatim re-telling of the epic that is The Dark Tower. And could anyone ever do it to anyone's satisfaction? Not likely.

I've not see the movie so I can't comment on it specifically.
Concerning your comment though, I see a difference in that Gregory Maguire's books have been based on classics from literature. The authors are all long gone and even though there are legions of fans for the originals, Maguire's retellings are an homage written with love for the source material. I am a huge Wizard of Oz fan (the book; I do like the 1939 movie though) and I LOVE Wicked (the book; have no interest in the musical). It is intelligently written and expands on themes, characters and ideas that Baum wove into the original. It takes what appears to be a simple children's story and turns it into a treatise on race, class and politics. Heavy stuff.

With the DT movie, I think many fans see it as a "hack job" done only to cash in on a hot property and with no real love for the source material. I am generalizing here and I know from a few articles I have read that this is not the director's intent. I am just stating how I interpret the comments I've heard and read from many fans.

 

[SHEEMIEE]

well i went to see it, and that's about all i have to say about that.

na not really - SPOILERS from an upset viewer.

firstly, can i stress my utter disappointment after watching the movie. I went into the foyer feeling as if i was going to a funeral, and came out after 90minutes as if i had just seen my team get relegated.
Why?
i never once felt part of the family, i never once turned to my daughter excitedly to explain what the hell was going on- partly because i was utterly unmoved by what i was watching. even the sight of the rainbow balls being used in such an unmagical matter of fact fashion left me completely underwhelmed. it was liked he plucked a dvd from the cabinet to watch-

tall dark and handsome? what did he just call him!

And the stargate door jumping nonsense.

jedi dark side telekinesis ?

why was there a complete lack of story as to the tower and the beams- When did the tower become the target?
It was the Beams holding the Tower up that were being attacked - not the tower! But we heard nothing about that- just 'Quakes'

it was like watching the fake James Bond movie - the one with sean connery Never say never Again - where he wasn't allowed to use certain attributes to 007- just skirting references -
as for the 'ooh look he's playing with Christine model car' or 'wow the doorway to new york is 1408' or 'wow it's a poster of Rita hayworth' don't insult me guys- it's a cop out.
and you knew it. too late for hat tips to this constant reader

tall dark and Handsome ...Pfft !
really.

oh look....a rose on the roller door!

brilliant guys, really brilliant. who are they saving the tower from next time now that Walter is gone?

who really cares what's next - not me.

long days...

 

[neversayBOO]

well i did it, last nite i went and seen "THE DARK TOWER".im not a book reader hardly ever read books really, but hearing about how hollywood was going to turn one of Stephen kings books, his best works has i quote by him, into a movie and the name of that 1st book "THE GUNSLINGER " i was hooked.So about a year ago i think i heard that alot of things had changed in turning the book into a movie,roland over night turns from a white person to a coloured man, straight away i was put off, and before you lot call me this and that i'm not, just very disappointed that the PC world of control has stepped in once again to spoil it for everyone who got something between their heads then just dark space.

okay that movie i give it 5 out of 10,if anyone goes in to watch this not a bloody clue about the books, i think they will probably enjoy.5 because," Idris Elba" i must admit looks good has the gun-slinger carries it off very well, Matthew McConaughey is really good has the man in black, and Tom Taylor carry's off Jake very good.The other 5 is lost because the movie felt rushed, trying to ram so much in in so little time,it turns into more of a action sci-fi film then a stephen king master piece,im the lucky one though i only done the 1st book which is very short compared to the next 7, to all the loyal fans out there who went though all the books my heart bleeds for you ,and has for Stephen king has the guy now tuned to the age where hes lost the plot,i mean he's really got behind this what he calls his best works to see it tuned into a cheap looking tv movie.

if you got nothing better to do why not go see it, you never know you might enjoy it or have a bloody good laugh.

 

[GNTLGNT]

 

[neversayBOO]

anyone noticed in the movie adaptation of the "gunslinger",the line "The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed ", it was in the movie but if you blinked you would have missed it,surely that would have fitted into the start of the film, not half way though lol.

 

[Dana Jean]

anyone noticed in the movie adaptation of the "gunslinger",the line "The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed ", it was in the movie but if you blinked you would have missed it,surely that would have fitted into the start of the film, not half way though lol.

Welcome!

 

[neversayBOO]

Welcome!

 

[Out of Order]

Is it on HBO yet?

 

[neversayBOO]

Is it on HBO yet?

nope has much has i got to say it, its to good to air on HBO

 

[Philzilla]

Is it on HBO yet?

It will probably be on Starz, they have a contract with Sony.

 

[Out of Order]

It will probably be on Starz, they have a contract with Sony.

Excellent! I see an Outlander/Dark Tower binge in my future.....

 

[bhill]

loved watching Roland load his pistolas......outstanding cinema!

 

[bhill]

loved watching Roland load his pistolas......outstanding cinema!

Mr. King is an author! not a "director". sorry.....don't mean to holler.

 

[Out of Order]

nope has much has i got to say it, its to good to air on HBO

Can I wait until after Game of Thrones to cancel my subscription?