After months of hard work, summer is finally here! There are beaches to explore, graduations to attend and movies to watch! Whether you’re grabbing a ticket to see the latest show, or scrolling through Netflix for something new to see, there is an important decision to make regarding movies that are adaptations of books. Is it better to read the book first? Or does it really matter? Well, here are some things to think about when deciding whether or not you will read a book before watching the movie adaptation.
If you read the book first…
You will know what to expect before spending the time (and possibly money) on a ticket. Movies can be expensive to watch in theater, and even if you’re getting them for free online, there is still a time investment to consider. Knowing what you’re getting into before watching the movie can be very helpful for you and for your wallet as well! You will know whether or not the story is something you’d like to experience again. That being said, sometimes you will be pleasantly (or unpleasantly) surprised by the movie once you compare it to the book you’ve read. This can take away from the movie experience, or enhance it depending on your expectations.
You will have extra information and details that the movie alone cannot provide. Movies are generally around two hours long on average, and it’s incredibly difficult to cram an entire book into that amount of time. Sometimes entire scenes are cut just for time’s sake, so reading the book first can give you more background information than a movie alone can provide.
If you’ve read the book long before the movie, you can relive an old favorite! Memories are often made when reading stories, whether alone or with family and friends, and to watch them later on can be a real treat! Personally, I relate to this very well. My family and I used to read stories together before bed, and watching the movies together later on was a great way to relive our old family times.
If you chose to experience the movie first…
You won’t have anything to compare the movie to, therefore the experience will be entirely based upon the quality of the movie itself. You won’t have to reimagine what characters or settings should look like based upon a preconceived notion. The movie itself can be a new experience for you! You will not have the involuntary comparison of book-to-movie in the back of your mind, which can be a distraction to most people.
Although it may appear that there are more pros to reading the movie first, it is honestly a matter of preference, and it also depends on the book that the movie is based upon. Children’s books are short enough that a movie may enhance and lengthen the storyline, though longer books can be harder to cover. Some stories are so graphic that a movie may make things easier for the public to experience. Also, there are times where movies are made to cover books long after the book was published, making re-reading the book an option, or not re-reading and living the story in a brand new way. Movies are made using the director’s interpretation anyway, therefore each experience can be different and exciting in its own way. Personally, I would advise not to limit yourself to only watching the movie after reading the book, though I do recommend it. Either way, there is always the option to read the book afterward if it interests you!
