If you read the book, please do us a favor...

That's absurd. If someone wants to "do something new," they should actually be talented enough to use their imaginations and come up with an original idea. If someone is going to adapt a book, especially a literary classic, then they should stop thinking they know better.

I do agree that some book readers tend to get ridiculous about any little adjustment to a film version, and it's too much. For instance, I think the Lord of the Rings trilogy is pure perfection even though there are a lot of differences between the films and the books. The thing is, Jackson truly captured the books, even if he changed some of the details along the way. The same can't be said for "adaptations" like this, which take a great, cerebral premise and turn it into just another overdone sci-fi thriller.

I don't think all adaptations are bad or that it's fair to be overly critical of something that captures the essence of the source material. But in this case, it doesn't seem like the people who adapted it actually understood or appreciated Clarke's novel, and people like that really shouldn't be doing such an adaptation, that's all.

If you're talking about some sh!tty piece of garbage like 50 Shades of Grey, then who cares. But in situations where the original book is already great, it should more or less be reflected on screen, not turned into some stereotypical mainstream story that misses the point.

I read the book and love it but also enjoyed the miniseries. And you're right, most of my disappointments were based on the fact that I've spent my life thinking highly of this story and I've imagined my own versions of what it should look like.

But these are not objective problems at all and while I might mention a disappointment here and there, I'm not really judging. When it comes to more controversial issues, I respect the fact that they had to translate it from one medium to another.

A TV show or movie usually needs more characterization and immediate conflicts to work. The fact that ruling the world was challenging was actually a good thing. The book often made humans absurdly passive.

One issue I notice in reviews by people who didn't read it is that they often don't understand key points. Knowing the basic idea going in, I can't see it as if experiencing the story for the first time and don't know if the writing is responsible for common misconceptions.

There are apparently people who are confused about whether or not the Overlords are literally demons (they're not), whether or not they were humanity's enemies (the weren't) or if the Overmind is some kind of alien monster that consumes children (it isn't).

Unfortunately, it is not because the film was not like we imagine it could/should have been done. It is because:

1. it is terrible filmmmaking with an insipid script, lackluster direction, soap opera style acting, poor editing decisions, and no sense of narrative drive.
2. it bears no resemblance to the meaning and intent of the book. Classics throughout history have been redone and there is always room for innovation and reinterpretation- that is fine. But this contradicts the very purpose and tone of the book.
3. no explanations/examinations are given for the most essential aspects of the story.

I have read reviews that laugh at the look of Karellan looking as he does. This was an essential aspect of the book and yet, in the way the film was done, it was completely lost on many, many people. This is a serious fault of the filmmakers, not the viewers. I don't blame people who have not read the book to understand the fuller purpose Clarke had for having Karellan look that way. Like so many aspects of the film, it was skipped over, was too oblique and practically an afterthought. And yet tons of time was spent on showing people hugging, kissing, romantically joking with each other, etc. This was not essential to the storyline. This film was not made with the idea to have people wonder about the universe and our place in it; why we have the abilities and talents we do; about the whys and wheres and hows of life, death and all the universal questions people have asked since the beginning of time.

This was a sad waste of money and time, when it could have been sublime.

Thank you.

This TV program does not negate the book. The book version will always be there for those that like to read.

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Every person that served can be called a veteran, but not every veteran can be called a Marine.

When I read reviews, I always downgrade every single one that compares film unfavorably to novel. I honestly couldn't care less. If you cannot write about the film then please let others do it.

"I am like Cryptonite to men. Cryptonite dipped in cellulite!"