Read the book or watch the movie?

Marina Symeou
25 Feb 2019
0
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Usually books are turned into movies and never the other way round. Maybe it’s because of lack of inspiration? Maybe it’s because there so many amazing books out there. Maybe it’s because as humans we want to visualize what we read. The pressing question: read the book or watch the movie?

There are amazing, life-changing books out there. From classics to contemporary, there are books which are very descriptive and with strong visuals. Imagination is our strongest asset as humans but occasionally we want to chill and let someone else do the work. Movies are for everyone, meaning that a person with lack of concentration or reading difficulties and who would struggle reading a book is able to know the story by watching the movie. But if you’re an avid reader like myself, you probably will have already read a book and then watch the movie. Which is the correct way? Which should come first the book or the movie?

There are fors and against this question, it could be debated for hours. But I will try to keep it short and outline the benefits of reading the book first and then, of watching the film first. Ready? Set! Scroll!

Book First!

Aside from the obvious (some books haven’t been adapted into films yet), books offer you the freedom of imagination. You can envisage the lead characters and places however you like and movies usually spoil this freedom. Books allow you to be the director of the movie in your head whilst an actual movie is a series of directorial decisions. The book will always be more detailed and give you a better understanding of the characters and their thought process. You can always show off in front of friends and acquaintances that you know what'a about to happen in the movie and if they piss you off, you can totally spoil it for them. Also, if you didn’t like the book you won’t waste any money to watch the movie.

Movie First!

You won’t be let down when important details and scenes are changed in the movie, cause you won’t know the plot. Also, you won’t be able to spoil it for others by constantly complaining about the thousands of changes and differences between the book and the movie. You're expectations will be much lower and you might actually enjoy the movie for once. You won’t be disappointed by the cast, by their looks at least, especially in movies like Harry Potter or the Lord of the Rings where your imagination raved far more than the movie. On the plus side, if you hated the movie you won’t waste your time reading the book. But keep in mind that some movies are so badly directed they don’t give any justice to the book. Your expectations won’t be ridiculously high and you won’t have to wait to finish the book to go watch the movie (chances are your friends will have already seen it). And to be honest, were you actually going to read the book?

So?

Ok I can’t give you a verdict, it really depends on the sort of person you are. Do you like surprises or not? Do you get bored easily? Do you hate repetition? These are the questions you need to answer before deciding which option you prefer. Some movies are so great that it doesn’t matter whether you see them first or the other way round. Some change the ending and those are the WORSE! Do you hear me Hollywood? No need to change the ending in order to make it happier and ruin both the movie and the books intentions, don't forget literature is an art. Also, no need for whitewashing anymore, there are plenty actors from all ethnicities.

So, I'm afraid you will have to figure this out on your own chicos.