the_cirque's Official Movie Reaction Post

[atraphoenix]

(... and a slightly less exciting note about spoilers.)

It's been a very long wait, but The Vampire's Assistant finally hits the cinemas today

Comments

[eyeholes]

I went and saw the movie last night with gaku_hirashime at midnight (and we went all dressed up as Evra and Crepsley - pictures later!), and I have to say that we both loved the movie. Yes, there were major differences, but despite those differences, I think the movie was very well done.

I thought it was strange that they included a lot of stuff with Steve that doesn't happen in the first two books, but I can kind of understand why they did, so I'm not too worried about that.

JCR did an amazing job, in my opinion, and the rest of the cast was amazing as well. Not too fond of Rebecca, but I don't really hate her, either. I also didn't really like that they made Cormac Limbs a female, but I'm thinking they only did that because there are so many male roles in the books, and these days, movies don't really sell well unless there's action and/or women.

All in all, I loved the movies despite all the changes, and I would definitely go see it again. I'm really hoping for a sequel!

[atraphoenix]

That's a good sign. I won't mind differences, since they're fairly inevitable. It's all about how the differences are handled.

Your point about Cormac makes sense. Although they could have at least changed the name as well.

I'll be going to see it as soon as possible this weekend. I'm excited and just a little nervous.

[eyeholes]

Yeah, if you go in knowing there are going to be major changes, expecting changes, then it's not really that bad at all. Personally, I like a lot of the changes they made, even if they don't follow the book at all, because they still managed to make it all make sense and keep to the basic storyline/plot.

As for Cormac, they might have changed her name, actually. When Mr. Tall introduces her, it sounds like he says 'Corma' and not 'Cormac'... but that could have just been his accent. Either way, she's not too bad, either.

Have fun! I went in kind of nervous (and extremely excited), too, and when the movie was over, I was very, very pleased. So just remember, keep an open mind and you'll love it too~

[stitchfrequency]

Nope, not just his accent :) The character is listed as "Corma" on the movie's official website.

eeee!

[mzscarecrow1313]

I loved it, it was slow at points,but all summer i have been nothing but disapointed at movies now this :happy dance:

[atraphoenix]

Well, that's a great comment to see! I'm more excited than ever after all this.

[anonymous]

Im going to say I have *NOT* read the books myself, but I went today with someone who has and he seemed to like it well enough, give or take a little nit picking here and there. (I might read them from him, he lives in my house after all)

And I really did like the movie

but what I like most is you guys are not just outright going OH IT SUCKS >( its not like the book at all!

I like that about this group as most *not all* but most, tend to lean towards that reaction.

[dark_kari]

Woops, sorry that anon comment was mine.

again thanks for being cool about it.

[atraphoenix]

I'm the first to admit that I'm a book purist - I'm quite protective when it comes to books I love - but I don't see the point of hating it on principle. Things have to be changed or it won't fit on to the screen. The more I see of John C Reilly, the more I like him, for example. And I had very mixed emotions about that piece of casting at first.

(I really, really need to get to the cinema. Damned essay writing.)

[sleepall_day]

I was such a bundle of emotions today! I JUST got back from seeing it (hahah, and I was excited to see what people have been posting here). I'm still excitedddd. I have to say I didn't LOVE it... but I'm still really really happy that there is a movie at all and that we get to see the characters come to life onscreen

[atraphoenix]

From what I've read - and, yes, I've yet to get to a cinema - some of the changes they've made might make certain aspects of the sequels a bit tricky to do. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I always found Mr Tiny creepy because he appeared so ordinary at first glance. It looks to me as if they tried a bit too hard to make him 'frightening'. In fact, when I first saw the clip of him, I didn't realise that was who he was supposed to be. Filmmakers have very little faith in their audience at times. It's just like the 'Sorcerer's Stone' instead of 'Philosopher's Stone' thing, which has always seemed to me as if they were assuming that their audience couldn't understand the English title. Obviously, the creepy character can't look benevolent. People might get confused

[sleepall_day]

Ahh, I hope you do get to go see it soon! There must be more discussion here! :D

I'm completely in agreement with you about Mr. Tiny. They tried WAY too hard I think. In the books, he does look very ordinary, with his weird heart-shaped watch (which I loved, because in any other person's hands it could just look like a lovely, pretty timepiece, right?) and he's just... off. Like the webbed feet. That's not traditionally scary, but just weird. I think he's very well done in the books.

Same with me for Sam! I thought it was gruesome and creative writing and just incredibly emotional for Darren. I totally loved it.

Even if the movie doesn't live up to my admittedly high expectations, it's still a movie of a Darren Shan book.
This makes me sad because I feel that way and I WANT MORE DARREN SHAN MOVIES but this movie just... dug its own grave, I think. There likely isn't going to be any more :( But I guess never say never, right?

[atraphoenix]

I've seen it, I've seen it!

And I still stand by what I said about Mr Tiny.

Despite being a self-confessed book purist, I actually really enjoyed the movie. Yes, they made a lot of changes, but the majority of the changes worked well. Gavner didn't seem like Gavner to me, but he still worked well as a slightly-creepy-good-guy (with a weird mustache). And John C Reilly was fantastic. I can't believe I ever doubted him.

I think the only thing that really bugged me was the way that they called the vampires in the mountain cowards and things. Most of my favourite characters are introduced in the later books and/or residents of the mountain.