MovieChat Forums > Good Omens (2019) Discussion > It's a decent adaptation...

It's a decent adaptation...

posted 5 years ago by papamihel (1616)
19 replies | jump to latest

of the novel. Well done but the show reminded me why I haven't been rereading Pratchett for the last 10 years or so even though I used to absolutely love him.
He was a period writer and his books have very little relevance nowadays.
The show was basically about the 80s with mobile phones and a couple of modern references.

I liked Tennant (but I always like Tennant), Sheen, "Queen" songs and the airbase guard reading "American gods" - that's pretty much all.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Pretty much, basically they adapted it with the 80's sensibilities the book was written in (came out in 1990) and set it that as if everyone was still the same minded. Though there is a danger in updating the sensibilities too much, take for example the 2005 film version of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, updating that took a lot way from it. The 1981 BBC TV series of it works because it was at a time it would work best, in a way Good Omens would have likely worked better made in the 90's. Though that didn't bother me greatly as I'm old enough to remember things being a bit like that, however yes sometimes the time is right and then it passes.

There were also some Doctor Who references/easter eggs along the way, with also a bit of a reference to the UK comedy series Black Books I believe.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

what Black Books thing did you spot?

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

When Tennant was walking towards the in flames Book Shop, a Fire Fighter asks: Are you the owner of this establishment and he replies: Do I look like I run a bookshop? Then look at how Tennant is dressed, his general demeanour and compare that to how Bernard looks in Black Books (sunglasses and all) plus I am sure Bernard has said similar words to a customer before.

[–] exatera (3953) 5 years ago

I mean... I am a fan of Black Books (ordered it especially from amazon.co.uk after watching some eps on a flight), but this is a reach. Unless Black Books is a total classic in Britain that everyone absolutely knows by heart scene by scene, I don't see it.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Well I can only speak for Australia where yes it is a Cult Classic alongside The IT Crowd so I imagine it is in the UK as well, both can get quoted as much as say Monty Python would or even the 1981 BBC Hitchikers Guide To The Galaxy series (and to some extent The Young Ones as well). However yeah it may be a stretch and just me seeing it because I am one of those cult like following fans, as a note both Black Books and The IT Crowd are still shown year in year out on our Free To Air TV on ABC Comedy (one of the ABC's secondary channels which is ad free like the BBC).

[–] MisterE (732) 5 years ago

What Doctor Who references?

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

When the Young's arrive in St. Beryl’s their number/licence plate reads: SID RAT which is T.A.R.D.I.S backwards (and also the evil version of the TARDIS used by the War Lords). Newton Pulsifer's tie when he goes to his first day at work is the same design as the 4th Doctor Tom Baker’s scarf, when the children are discussing what an Alien would say arriving on Earth one says Exterminate (like a Dalek). One of the Planets Crowley looks at when deciding where he may go to ride out the apocalypse is the Doctors home world of Gallifrey. I'm not counting in Episode One where Adam's father calls Crowley Doctor as that was just him assuming he was an MD because he turned up at the Hospital when he did.

In the book when the Aliens turn up and talk to Newt one of them is described as looking like a pepper pot, which isn't so in the series, however I believe that's why they threw the exterminate line in instead. I'm a bit of a watcher for that stuff though, even noticed Crowely's Bentley had a number/licence plate of Niat Ruc (Curtain), guessed that meant Crowley's supposed role in the apocalypse and bringing down the final curtain for humanity.

[–] DeeRagon (45) 5 years ago

You missed the obvious The Office reference, via the handheld/shaky cam.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I just took that as a TV trope I mean as in it dates back to NYPD Blue in 1993 and for mine ER used it very effectively a year or so after that, if the comment is a dig at me seeing what I want to see then fair enough I'll cop it gracefully.

[–] DeeRagon (45) 5 years ago

The scene with Pulsifer at his office job.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Ah yes of course [thumbs up]

[–] kwestmo (4385) 5 years ago

I am unfamiliar with novel, but find the series moves too slow.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

i thought that too , but im fine with it going slow

[–] kwestmo (4385) 5 years ago

And not very compelling.

[–] wrecche (631) 5 years ago

I am giving it many forgives knowing it is an adaptation.

There are just... too many things that are seemingly too goofy for a tv show.. they may work in the written word, but direct translation to tv doesnt appear to do it justice..

:/

[–] exatera (3953) 5 years ago

Don't know what you guys are talking about, I found the show very entertaining. But then I didn't read the book.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Are familiar with any of Neil Gaimen or Terry Pratchetts work?

[–] exatera (3953) 5 years ago

I watched the first season of American Gods (and pretty sure I saw Hogfather years ago), but haven't read anything by either of them.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

"He was a period writer and his books have very little relevance nowadays.
The show was basically about the 80s with mobile phones and a couple of modern references. "

whut??
how dare you suggest Sir Pterry was anything less than the son of god!
in what way is "the show" about the 80s?
its about a couple of celestial beings who have been around since the dawn of time ffs!