How well does it hold up? Does the writer manage to preserve the characteristically David Wong style of humor in the book? I just finished reading it, I loved it. Now considering watching the film, but this is a book that will actually be completely ruined for me if the movie doesn't hold up.
shareIt was pretty enjoyable IMHO but 2/3 of the story is left out and the characterization is mostly missing (though the actors do a good job with what they have). The only thing that really bugs me is the lack of John moments, not just the puns but finding out that he's more than just a silly friend.
On the plus side, the music and the visuals nailed the mood of the book (No awesome 80s ballads unfortunately).
and no redemption, by the way..
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So agreed with all of the above.
Heck, how many times in the BOOK did David say a simple two word sentence. "Red hair." So brief, but as the story progressed you could just TELL so much emotion was behind those words, so much not willing to be said outwardly.
And MOLLY omg I understand the name change but the whole REASON for Molly, the final scene with Molly (with the pun) ... it didn't ruin the book for me but I am very glad I did not see the film first.
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Chipping away at a mountain of pop culture trivia,
Darren Dirt.
it's a good homage to the book, but the book is where it's at. the sequel too. if you've read rhe book, seeing the movie will be like watching a cliff notes version of what probably had better potential as a miniseries, especially throwing book is full of spiders into the mix
shareWasn't as much of a fan of Book Full of Spiders. The crazy, bizarre, but always comedic tone of JDATE was replaced by dark doomsday horror and it was far less enjoyable. Still a good book in many ways, but the first was special and the second falls short of that.
shareREAD THE BOOK.
But take your time -- let it... change you.
The film omits out a LOT, and the final scene with Arnie and the trunk makes a LOT more sense within the context of those omitted parts.
Plus you will get the whole "Amy is missing a hand" aspect of her character. And ... a ton of great humor was necessarily removed from the film too.
Heck there's a whole thing in Las Vegas that got modified to the mall. Oh yeah and the mall, the whole story behind that, stuff that happens there... just READ THE BOOK.
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Chipping away at a mountain of pop culture trivia,
Darren Dirt.