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

[Robert Gray]

I haven't seen it yet. However, I've noticed a significant trend in reading the thoughts of people here, elsewhere, and to those I talk to. Those who haven't read the books at all, have been entirely unimpressed with the film. Most of them said the same kinds of things, like it is too short, confusing, nothing is explained, and aside from the kid the characters are cartoons. Of the people who haven't read the books, it is a pretty harsh review list. Among the people who have read the books, there are those who are not happy this isn't an adaptation but some sort of sequel. These people are unimpressed, but I can't place too much weight on it because they were never going to be happy. What they went to the theater to see simply wasn't going to be there. The last group is those that have read the books and were either open to are accepting of the idea that this was something else. This group seems to review it best, but there is a clear bias in WANTING to like it rather than solid effusion. Does that make sense? It doesn't make me particularly trustful of that group either. Hell, I WANT to like it myself, but that doesn't mean much in the end.

Overall, people of all stripes said the best actor in the film was Jake. That doesn't surprise me because it was clear from the start the story (even if the advertising looks different) is Jake's story. It doesn't matter how great an Actor you are, if the story is about someone else... it limits one's access. People are all over the board about both Roland and the Man in Black, so much so that I can't draw a clear idea. Nobody mentions, so far at least, ANY of the supporting characters beyond these three. As someone who hasn't seen the film, it is almost as if other characters do not exist. That isn't good in my opinion. Right now I'm not in a rush to see it. Why? If I am to accept the film is something new, and had to be taken on its own merits, then I have to trust the people who have NEVER read the books. They are the ones, after all, who are judging this thing fresh and on its own merits. I'm hoping to see a turnaround in their opinions. *Please note, I'm not relying on posted reviews alone (although I do read them).

 

[AchtungBaby]

A friend whose opinion I trust said he liked it--said he'd give it 4/5 stars.

Another friend absolutely hated it.

Both have read the Dark Tower series.

Cannot wait to see this movie tomorrow.

 

[Coyo-T]

My thoughts-

This is a decent modern fantasy movie and a TERRIBLE adaptation of TDT. You literally could have changed the names of the characters and maybe made the Tower a Wall or something, and you'd essentially have an original film. The casting controversies have proven irrelevant; while the actors all do a great job with what they have to work with, the characters are too underdeveloped to really even tie them to their literary counterparts. There are cute little references to things from the books sprinkled throughout the movie, but none of them ever sum up to a recognizable whole.

In the end, I'm not actually sure who this film's intended audience even was- book fans will probably be frustrated at how little it has to do with anything from the books, people who haven't read the books will likely just be confused as words are basically just thrown around for backstory without any explanation; the plot is too simplistic and barebones to really be interesting as an "adult" oriented film, and while an argument could be made that it's attempting to be a "family" movie (Jake is definitely the focus, and the story is like a checklist of every such movie's tropes) it doesn't handle some of its more serious issues (such as the loss of a parent) particularly well, and might be just a shade too intense for most kids (but then, the definition of what's appropriate for children has changed since I was a kid, so it might be fine by today's standards.)

Overall, it was entertaining enough, but wasted both its source material and its potential to be an interesting contemporary fantasy film- a shame on both counts.

 

[Neesy]

My review is up at CD Online.

That was an excellent review Bev - thank you!

 

[GNTLGNT]

....Looks like it barely made it to the top of Box Office Revenue.....and at 18 million or so, a tepid winner at that in an uninspired Summer movie season....not that any of that crap matters to me, just tossing it up there.....

 

[Sundrop]

*posted these comments in another thread, but wanted to leave them herre as well*

I did like it. It is almost as far away from the novels as can be, but I thought it was a very good telling of a different level of the tower.
Matthew McConaughey really plays evil quite well. Idris Elba did a better job than I expected, and Tom Taylor was good in the role of Jake. There were even a few Easter eggs along the way.

I wouldn't really call it fan fiction. There are enough bits from the novels that you'll recognize if you've read them, but someone who hasn't read any of them won't be lost either.

 

[kingricefan]

A friend whose opinion I trust said he liked it--said he'd give it 4/5 stars.

Another friend absolutely hated it.

Both have read the Dark Tower series.

Cannot wait to see this movie tomorrow.

Let us know what you think!!

 

[Out of Order]

I'm gonna wait until the book(s) come out.........

 

[kingricefan]

I'm gonna wait until the book(s) come out.........

 

[Neesy]

I'm gonna wait until the book(s) come out.........

 

[GeorgiesArm]

...

I think you're missing a group. I've read a lot from Dark Tower fans who were open to the idea of this being a sequel, even defending it for the past year, who just thought this movie was bland and didn't capture the spirit of the books. There's a well written piece on Ain't It Cool News which does a good job explaining this: Here's a Dark Tower review from a huge fan of the books! What's the verdict?

 

[Coyo-T]

Rereading others' reactions, I think I also want to emphasize that while I "get" that it's billed as a sequel rather than a true adaptation, I don't find that that changes the film's flaws- it doesn't really add anything to the original story or characters, and while it's fun, it relies too heavily on viewers having read the books rather than fleshing things out for the people who haven't. (And has also been stated, it was called The Dark Tower; of course people are a little miffed that instead of adapting its namesake series it's an original story that essentially just uses the names.)

 

[Neesy]

I'm gonna wait until the book(s) come out.........

In case you were wondering, I was hinting at you getting an avatar, but I see you've grabbed some eggs

 

[Dana Jean]

I have not read any professional reviews of this yet. I read what Marsha had to say. I've also read a ton of lamentations and pearl-clutching opinions. I am not a Dark Tower aficionado and I've only taken the journey once through, so maybe that allows me to be more agreeable and moldable towards the changes.

I did not forget the face of my father -- I watched the face of my father become transformed. Different from what I remember, but still my beautiful father.

Here is my take: SPOILERS GALORE AHEAD

Guys, in my opinion, this is not Roland's story at all. This is Jake's story. This is how Jake walks through the world and how he perceives things. The kid who played him was fantastic. Tom Taylor did a brilliant job and he carried me through the tale.

The scenes and cinematography were epic and grand; I loved that about the movie. Sweeping vistas filling a screen are like another character and they can make or break a movie if not done right.

I felt Idris Elba as Roland did a good job. He was more an incidental character to Jake's vision. He was the tall, dark, quiet stranger. I thought his action sequences were well done, just watching that first loading of bullets into his guns was mesmerizing and gave my heart a skip jump of anticipation.

There were some charming moments of humor here and there which made me chuckle. An example, Jake buying Roland lunch, getting a hot dog, and Roland asking Jake "what breed?" and calling "us" savages -- there were a small scattering of other understated comic moments.

And there were some scenes of poignant beauty having to do with Jake and Roland. I welled up many times, not because of anything bad, but just to see this brought to the screen -- to get just a taste of The Dark Tower universe -- it pulled my heart strings.

There were easter eggs: Many to do with all the books of the series, but then there was a photograph of the Overlook in someone's office, Cujo walking the streets, a hand-with-balloons sculpture sticking up from the forest floor along with the twisted remains of an abandoned amusement park.

I thought it was a good movie based on Stephen's book with contributions from numerous people all adding THEIR vision to the story. If you want to call it fan fiction, do so.

The film and I were well met.

 

[Neesy]

I have not read any professional reviews of this yet. I read what Marsha had to say. I've also read a ton of lamentations and pearl-clutching opinions. I am not a Dark Tower aficionado and I've only taken the journey once through, so maybe that allows me to be more agreeable and moldable towards the changes.

I did not forget the face of my father -- I watched the face of my father become transformed. Different from what I remember, but still my beautiful father.

Here is my take:

Guys, in my opinion, this is not Roland's story at all. This is Jake's story. This is how Jake walks through the world and how he perceives things. The kid who played him was fantastic. Tom Taylor did a brilliant job and he carried me through the tale.

The scenes and cinematography were epic and grand; I loved that about the movie. Sweeping vistas filling a screen are like another character and they can make or break a movie if not done right.

I felt Idris Elba as Roland did a good job. He was more an incidental character to Jake's vision. He was the tall, dark, quiet stranger. I thought his action sequences were well done, just watching that first loading of bullets into his guns was mesmerizing and gave my heart a skip jump of anticipation.

There were some charming moments of humor here and there which made me chuckle. An example, Jake buying Roland lunch, getting a hot dog, and Roland asking Jake "what breed?" and calling "us" savages -- there were a small scattering of other understated comic moments.

And there were some scenes of poignant beauty having to do with Jake and Roland. I welled up many times, not because of anything bad, but just to see this brought to the screen -- to get just a taste of The Dark Tower universe -- it pulled my heart strings.

There were easter eggs: Many to do with all the books of the series, but then there was a photograph of the Overlook in someone's office, Cujo walking the streets, a hand-with-balloons sculpture sticking up from the forest floor along with the twisted remains of an abandoned amusement park.

I thought it was a good movie based on Stephen's book with contributions from numerous people all adding THEIR vision to the story. If you want to call it fan fiction, do so.

The film and I were well met.

I'm so glad to read this - I respect your opinion Dana Jean

We are getting ready to go see it tonight and so far I've only read one review and that was from Variety (unfortunately there was a spoiler in there which I was not expecting, so I stopped reading at that point)

Have you heard of something called D-Box technology? When I was looking up show times I noted that the movie is available with D-Box for an extra fee. Apparently your seat moves in sync with the action scenes.

We'll be heading out shortly to drive to the theatre.

 

[Dana Jean]

I'm so glad to read this - I respect your opinion Dana Jean

We are getting ready to go see it tonight and so far I've only read one review and that was from Variety (unfortunately there was a spoiler in there which I was not expecting, so I stopped reading at that point)

Have you heard of something called D-Box technology? When I was looking up show times I noted that the movie is available with D-Box for an extra fee. Apparently your seat moves in sync with the action scenes.

We'll be heading out shortly to drive to the theatre.

Have fun. No I have not heard of D Box. If you do that, let us know how it is.

Go in with an open mind. Allow yourself to just be part of the Dark Tower universe and you will be rewarded.

 

[Out of Order]

I have not read any professional reviews of this yet. I read what Marsha had to say. I've also read a ton of lamentations and pearl clutching opinions. I am not a Dark Tower aficionado and I've only taken the journey once through, so maybe that allows me to be more agreeable and moldable towards the changes.

I did not forget the face of my father -- I watched the face of my father become transformed. Different from what I remember, but still my beautiful father.

Here is my take:

Guys, in my opinion, this is not Roland's story at all. This is Jake's story. This is how Jake walks through the world and how he perceives things. The kid who played him was fantastic. Just did a brilliant job and he carried me through the story.

The scenes, cinematography were very epic and grand, I loved that about the movie.

I felt Idris Elba as Roland did a good job. He was more an incidental character to Jake's vision. He was a tall, dark, quiet stranger. I thought his action sequences were well done, just watching that first loading of bullets into his guns was mesmerizing and gave my heart a jump of anticipation.

There were some charming moments of humor here and there which made me chuckle. Jake buying Roland lunch, getting a hot dog, and Roland asking Jake "what breed?" and calling "us" savages -- there were a small scattering of other understated comic moments.

And some real scenes of poignant beauty having to do with Jake and Roland. I welled up many times, not because of anything bad, but just to see this brought to the screen -- to get just a taste of The Dark Tower universe, it pulled my heart strings.

There were easter eggs: many to do with all the books of the series, but then there was a photograph of the Overlook in someone's office, Cujo walking the streets, a hand with balloon sculpture in the forest next the twisted remains of an abandoned amusement park.

I thought it was a good movie, based on Stephen's book with contributions from numerous people all adding THEIR vision to the story. If you want to call it fan fiction, do so.

The movie and I were well met.

Did you get popcorn?

 

[Dana Jean]

Did you get popcorn?

Raisinets and a Dr. Pepper

 

[Out of Order]

Raisinets and a Dr. Pepper

No Goobers?

 

[Dana Jean]

No Goobers?

We don't need no stinkin' goobers.