The scenery, the plot, the characters, and the dialogue of the movie all have the feel of the book, but there are obvious differences between the two. As is always the case, the movie is a bit of a toned down version of the book.
In the movie, Tyler isn't quite as psychotic as he is in the book. Although he is still a terrorist and chaos is still his mission, he doesn't go as far in the movie as he does in the book. He doesn't kill anyone in the movie, whereas he kills the mayor’s special envoy in the book. He also never intends to kill anyone in the movie - his gun not being loaded when he threatens Raymond K. Hessel – while he wants twelve “human sacrifices” and explicitly tells the members of Project Mayhem, "and just so you don't worry about it, yes, you're going to have to kill someone" in the book. I suppose that this is done to make him more likeable. I still think that he’s a twit.
Marla isn’t as depraved in the movie either. She still rambles on about death and a few other strange things, but there is no mention of her telling Tyler that she, “wants his abortion.” I heard that producers begged for that line not to be included (although they weren’t too fond of the grade school line either). In any case, Marla is actually a lot more likeable in the movie than in the book.
Overall, though, the scenery fits the story, the actors fit their roles, and the whole thing - fight scenes included - looks realistic enough. There are minor deviations in the movie from the book – such as the first time that Tyler and the main character meet, the attack on the police commissioner at the banquet, and attack on the main character at the police station – but these all help with the flow of the storyline. The ending, most notably of all, is different. In the movie, it is a bit happier. This, I think, was a good move on David Fincher’s half. We – the “middle children” of the earth – need our superficial happy endings to fill in the voids of our sad, consumerist lives...
Hints regarding the identity of Tyler are presented as cleverly in the movie as they are in the book. In the latter, it is foreshadowed in the way that the main character is treated by strangers (they seem to recognize him and wink), while in the former, it is in the way that those close to him treat him (Marla acts like he’s the one she likes and Bob thanks him for Fight Club). In both the book and the movie, the main character himself also foreshadows the truth. He asks if it is possible to wake up as someone else, and mentions how his fight with himself reminds him of his first fight with Tyler.
The tongue-in-cheek humor of the book is translated very well into the movie. The fact that I didn’t notice the music at all must mean that it was well done (that sort of thing is only noticeable when it doesn’t go well with a movie, makes your ears bleed, or the movie in question is a musical). In general, this is one of the few good book-to-movie adaptations that Hollywood has successfully made.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Fight Club vs. Fight Club...Fight Club Wins!
The movie does an amazingly accurate job bringing the book to life. All of the characters were exactly how I expected them to be, and if not then better. Brad Pitt was the perfect alter ego for the narrator. Marla Singer looked just as foul as I imagined and her icky ways, visualized, made the narrators disgust of her more surreal. The narrator’s mental disorder was captured accurately and better depicted in the movie. In the beginning of the movie, there are flashes of Tyler Durden that are nearly invisible if one is unaware of what is slowly happening to the narrator’s mental health. Big Bob’s character was hilarious, though his man boobs were excessively larger than I imagined from reading the text. The narrator’s boss and all of the space monkeys from Project Mayhem were astonishing as well.
The book had an extremely intense pace that the movie captures well. The narrator’s mental disorder, whatever he has, is intensified by the camera and the music. The music was also beneficial during the actual fight club scenes. The sound of bones breaking and fists clashing does a lot more to the senses than the sheer imagination of those noises. The movie does an outstanding job of highlighting the fights so that everyone watching can feel the strength and intensity. The book is a story. The movie is an experience. This is the only movie we have seen all year that I feel does not lack anything from the book and there is nothing the book does better. The only limitation of the movie is that it absorbs you into the screen, therefore relinquishing your individual creativity and imagination.
The book had an extremely intense pace that the movie captures well. The narrator’s mental disorder, whatever he has, is intensified by the camera and the music. The music was also beneficial during the actual fight club scenes. The sound of bones breaking and fists clashing does a lot more to the senses than the sheer imagination of those noises. The movie does an outstanding job of highlighting the fights so that everyone watching can feel the strength and intensity. The book is a story. The movie is an experience. This is the only movie we have seen all year that I feel does not lack anything from the book and there is nothing the book does better. The only limitation of the movie is that it absorbs you into the screen, therefore relinquishing your individual creativity and imagination.
Fight Club
I had heard about the movie Fight Club from several male friends of mine. They would always rave about how awesome the movie was and I would always mean to go rent the movie. However, I never got around to doing it because some other movie would catch my eye and I would simply forget about Fight Club. That is why I was so delighted when I found out we were watching the movie and reading the book in class.
I found the book simply amazing. It was one of those reads that I did not want to put down. The twist was also unexpected and delightful. Overall the book was great and after reading it I could not wait to watch the movie but yet I was hesitant as to whether the movie would be just a great as the book. I was afraid that Hollywood would destroy the images I had already formed of the characters, settings and the meaning of the movie.
When we first began watching the movie I was disappointed and I don't even have a legitimate reason why I was disappointed. I believe I began watching the movie with the attitude that it would never live up to the standards of the book. However, after watching more of the movie I began to realize that it was not as bad I had thought it was going to be. In fact, I think the movie does the book justice. It is well written and follows the plot of the book fairly well. One of the things I loved was that Tyler's house was portrayed in the movie the same way I had imagined it while reading the book. This is an occurrence that rarely happens when books are brought to the big screen. Although I am still 100% convinced that the book is better, the movie does an excellent job of bringing the book to life.
I found the book simply amazing. It was one of those reads that I did not want to put down. The twist was also unexpected and delightful. Overall the book was great and after reading it I could not wait to watch the movie but yet I was hesitant as to whether the movie would be just a great as the book. I was afraid that Hollywood would destroy the images I had already formed of the characters, settings and the meaning of the movie.
When we first began watching the movie I was disappointed and I don't even have a legitimate reason why I was disappointed. I believe I began watching the movie with the attitude that it would never live up to the standards of the book. However, after watching more of the movie I began to realize that it was not as bad I had thought it was going to be. In fact, I think the movie does the book justice. It is well written and follows the plot of the book fairly well. One of the things I loved was that Tyler's house was portrayed in the movie the same way I had imagined it while reading the book. This is an occurrence that rarely happens when books are brought to the big screen. Although I am still 100% convinced that the book is better, the movie does an excellent job of bringing the book to life.
Fight Club
As of now, I am very happy with the movie and how well the book translated from page to screen. The movie did really well with the dual identity thing, much better than expected. I was nervous about how they would portray the narrator and Tyler as two separate people, and then eventually combine them into one, but I thought the movie handles it beautifully, making the narrator flash back and see what was really happening when he “fell asleep.”
I think the casting is amazing too. The narrator is just like I imagined him, all introverted and awkward, yet charming in a weird way that makes you feel for him. And Brad Pitt as Tyler Durden is perfect too. He’s so confident and self-assured, so opposite of the narrator. The two men work well together too; they compliment each other and play off each other in a really easy, unaffected way. They never seem like they are trying too hard to make the audience “get it.” Having read the book before seeing the movie, it was fun finding all of the little hints that the filmmakers hid in the movie about Tyler’s real identity. I love the quick flashes of Tyler in the beginning because that echoes what Tyler does to the movies he shows at his job. All of those fun little quirks kept me entertained and on my toes.
I love Marla in this movie too. I like her character better in the movie than in the book. In the book, she just seemed whiny and needy. In the movie they let her be a little tougher, and I like her better that way. I feel so sorry for her though; she’s always confused and puzzled trying to deal with Tyler’s two personalities. She is a character that you pull for, you want her to do well and be happy.
All in all, the movie really impressed me. The graphics are amazing, and the casting is perfect. I think I actually like it better than the book, but the book was amazing too.
I think the casting is amazing too. The narrator is just like I imagined him, all introverted and awkward, yet charming in a weird way that makes you feel for him. And Brad Pitt as Tyler Durden is perfect too. He’s so confident and self-assured, so opposite of the narrator. The two men work well together too; they compliment each other and play off each other in a really easy, unaffected way. They never seem like they are trying too hard to make the audience “get it.” Having read the book before seeing the movie, it was fun finding all of the little hints that the filmmakers hid in the movie about Tyler’s real identity. I love the quick flashes of Tyler in the beginning because that echoes what Tyler does to the movies he shows at his job. All of those fun little quirks kept me entertained and on my toes.
I love Marla in this movie too. I like her character better in the movie than in the book. In the book, she just seemed whiny and needy. In the movie they let her be a little tougher, and I like her better that way. I feel so sorry for her though; she’s always confused and puzzled trying to deal with Tyler’s two personalities. She is a character that you pull for, you want her to do well and be happy.
All in all, the movie really impressed me. The graphics are amazing, and the casting is perfect. I think I actually like it better than the book, but the book was amazing too.
And then, Tyler was Gone
Before entering this class, I had never seen or read anything about Fight Club. I had heard from a number of people (especially guys) that the movie was pretty cool, but it had never sparked my interest. However, after reading this novel and watching the movie, I would have to agree with them.
After reading the novel, the only thing I wanted to do was see the movie. I thought the plot twist was really neat and I couldn’t wait to see how the movie portrayed Tyler Durden and the narrator as two separate characters that eventually combine into one. In that aspect, I thought the director of this movie did a very good job of putting the written words into a film. I actually watched the whole movie with my friends a few days after I read the novel and they were all totally shocked when the narrator started discovering the truth about his life.
However, when I saw the ending of the movie, I was very disappointed. I should have figured Hollywood would have to do that to the story. Don’t get me wrong, I do love happy endings, and if the novel would have ended in a “Happily ever after” sort of way, I would have been content with both the novel and the movie. But, since the ending was changed just to make moviegoers feel warm and fuzzy inside, I was pretty upset.
Overall, I think the narrator did an excellent job of converting Fight Club from a novel to a film. The actors in this movie were perfect for the characters and most of the dialogue was straight from the novel. I was also very glad to see the director add a little more humor to the film version, especially from Tyler Durden’s character. I think that definitely made the movie more enjoyable than what it could have been.
Brooklyn’s Ratings: Fight Club novel: 8.1 Fight Club movie: 7.6
After reading the novel, the only thing I wanted to do was see the movie. I thought the plot twist was really neat and I couldn’t wait to see how the movie portrayed Tyler Durden and the narrator as two separate characters that eventually combine into one. In that aspect, I thought the director of this movie did a very good job of putting the written words into a film. I actually watched the whole movie with my friends a few days after I read the novel and they were all totally shocked when the narrator started discovering the truth about his life.
However, when I saw the ending of the movie, I was very disappointed. I should have figured Hollywood would have to do that to the story. Don’t get me wrong, I do love happy endings, and if the novel would have ended in a “Happily ever after” sort of way, I would have been content with both the novel and the movie. But, since the ending was changed just to make moviegoers feel warm and fuzzy inside, I was pretty upset.
Overall, I think the narrator did an excellent job of converting Fight Club from a novel to a film. The actors in this movie were perfect for the characters and most of the dialogue was straight from the novel. I was also very glad to see the director add a little more humor to the film version, especially from Tyler Durden’s character. I think that definitely made the movie more enjoyable than what it could have been.
Brooklyn’s Ratings: Fight Club novel: 8.1 Fight Club movie: 7.6
Friday, November 2, 2007
Fight Club
I never had any intention of reading or watching “Fight Club”. I heard about it of course. The movie quickly became such a phenomenon that still today stores sell t-shirts with “Paper Street Soap Company” and a fist printed on the front. I never understood what the big deal was. From what I understood it was just about a bunch of guys fighting. It didn’t help that most of the individuals who raved about the movie were men. I just thought it was another one of those “movies for men” that you see all the time on Spike TV. What could I possibly learn from a movie like that?
My naïveté surprises even me at times. Although clearly a book/movie targeted for male audiences, the broader theme is for everyone. It is clear that Fight Club is a statement about society and more specifically, awakening the power we all possess as individuals to change how society perceives those of the middle class. Although I enjoyed both the movie and the book, I liked the book more. Maybe it’s because I read it first, but the book seemed to hold so much more weight. Each chapter is written with such a sense of boldness that forced you to take an honest look at your own life. Plus it seemed a little hypocritical to watch famous movie stars act like “the middle children of history”. It’s easier to relate to the characters’ hardships if you’re not thinking about Brad Pitt’s million dollar house you saw last night on MTV’s Cribs. Both Brad Pitt and Edward Norton did a wonderful job acting, it just wasn't as believable.
Unfortunately I knew the ending prior to watching the movie and reading the book. (My family is full of spoilers). But I was still surprised by many of the scenes in the book. I loved the scene with Raymond K. Hessel (and not just because I hope to get into vet school one day). For some reason when the narrator (in the novel) or Tyler Durden (in the movie) stated “Raymond K. Hessel, your dinner is going to taste better than any meal you’ve ever eaten, and tomorrow will be the most beautiful day of your entire life” it really resonated with me. It’s such a powerful statement, but it also got me thinking. Are we really that afraid to follow our dreams that we have to have a gun to our head in order to do it? What happened to the Dead Poet's Society and Carpe Diem?
My naïveté surprises even me at times. Although clearly a book/movie targeted for male audiences, the broader theme is for everyone. It is clear that Fight Club is a statement about society and more specifically, awakening the power we all possess as individuals to change how society perceives those of the middle class. Although I enjoyed both the movie and the book, I liked the book more. Maybe it’s because I read it first, but the book seemed to hold so much more weight. Each chapter is written with such a sense of boldness that forced you to take an honest look at your own life. Plus it seemed a little hypocritical to watch famous movie stars act like “the middle children of history”. It’s easier to relate to the characters’ hardships if you’re not thinking about Brad Pitt’s million dollar house you saw last night on MTV’s Cribs. Both Brad Pitt and Edward Norton did a wonderful job acting, it just wasn't as believable.
Unfortunately I knew the ending prior to watching the movie and reading the book. (My family is full of spoilers). But I was still surprised by many of the scenes in the book. I loved the scene with Raymond K. Hessel (and not just because I hope to get into vet school one day). For some reason when the narrator (in the novel) or Tyler Durden (in the movie) stated “Raymond K. Hessel, your dinner is going to taste better than any meal you’ve ever eaten, and tomorrow will be the most beautiful day of your entire life” it really resonated with me. It’s such a powerful statement, but it also got me thinking. Are we really that afraid to follow our dreams that we have to have a gun to our head in order to do it? What happened to the Dead Poet's Society and Carpe Diem?
Now, here's a challenge - how to take a novel that switches viewpoints and voices so rapidly that a Thursday Next novel would seem drab by comparison; a novel that consists, in the main, of pure narration; a novel that never even bothers to provide a name for its main character - and turn it into a film. Surprisingly, especially with Hollywood's history of mangling book-to-film conversions, it turned out surprisingly well.
Thankfully, a narrator was used for this film. It would have been nightmarish to see this acted out without one. From what I've read of the movie's history, that was their original intention, and took a man named Fincher to change their mind. Bravo, Fincher.
The imagery was certainly done well. Tyler's house in particular was a perfect representation of what was depicted in the book, with every scene set in it subtly reinforcing its decrepit status. Violence was well-choreographed and the blood, sweat and injuries were all realistic.
Cinematography was quite inventive, adding a lot to the content of the novel. Tyler pointing at the mark on the screen in the scene about film operations was inspired. Other notable effects included the "watermark" on the flashback scenes
The truly amazing and unexpected surprise was the masterful handling of Tyler Durden. The movie subtly hinted at his unreality throughout the film, yet never openly declared it before the unveiling. Perhaps most impressive was the subliminal imaging that flickered his image in and out throughout the beginning of the film.
All in all, a fantastic adaption of book to film. I still prefer the novel to the film, but that's only my pro-print bias. If every book that was taken to film was converted with this much skill, I'd certainly watch more movies.
Thankfully, a narrator was used for this film. It would have been nightmarish to see this acted out without one. From what I've read of the movie's history, that was their original intention, and took a man named Fincher to change their mind. Bravo, Fincher.
The imagery was certainly done well. Tyler's house in particular was a perfect representation of what was depicted in the book, with every scene set in it subtly reinforcing its decrepit status. Violence was well-choreographed and the blood, sweat and injuries were all realistic.
Cinematography was quite inventive, adding a lot to the content of the novel. Tyler pointing at the mark on the screen in the scene about film operations was inspired. Other notable effects included the "watermark" on the flashback scenes
The truly amazing and unexpected surprise was the masterful handling of Tyler Durden. The movie subtly hinted at his unreality throughout the film, yet never openly declared it before the unveiling. Perhaps most impressive was the subliminal imaging that flickered his image in and out throughout the beginning of the film.
All in all, a fantastic adaption of book to film. I still prefer the novel to the film, but that's only my pro-print bias. If every book that was taken to film was converted with this much skill, I'd certainly watch more movies.
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