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Don’t Judge a Book by its Movie is a feature on The Candid Cover spotlighting and reviewing book to movie adaptations.
Title: The BFGAuthor: Roald Dahl
Narrator: David Walliams
Cast: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Rebecca Hall
Director: Stephen Spielberg
Screenplay: Melissa Mathison
Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade
Publication Date: June 28, 2013 (first published 1982)
Rating:
Captured by a giant!
The BFG is no ordinary bone-crunching giant. He is far too nice and jumbly. It's lucky for Sophie that he is. Had she been carried off in the middle of the night by the Bloodbottler, or any of the other giants—rather than the BFG—she would have soon become breakfast. When Sophie hears that the giants are flush-bunking off to England to swollomp a few nice little chiddlers, she decides she must stop them once and for all. And the BFG is going to help her!
Book vs. Movie: The BFG
The BFG book is simply put, classic Dahl. There is a fantastical world that the reader can get lost in, wonderful and vividly described characters and humorous word play. In the audio version narrated by David Walliams, we are given a voice to these relatable characters that makes the listener feel like part of the story. The film adaptation of this book has some fun aspects and maintains the theme of friendship from the original story, however, it falls short of Dahl’s original work and just doesn’t seem to measure up.
Lots of Humour in the Book
I have always enjoyed Roald Dahl’s novels and they bring back so many amazing childhood memories of my first reading experiences. Listening to David Walliams bring the BFG, Sophie, and the Queen to life is an incredible adventure that makes this story that much more colourful. His vocal characterizations are prefect and they way he pronounces the plethora of made-up words in this book are so amusing. The special effects in the background also add another layer to the listening experience that will help the listener to envision the happenings in the book with greater intensity. While I can see that there may be some terrifying moments for children in this book, somehow the humour and the fact that the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) is so lovable, give the listener a sense of security.
Movie has too much bathroom humour
When I found out yet another book by Roald Dahl was being translated to the screen, I was very excited. There have been some wonderful films created in the past based on his works. Unfortunately, this adaptation is not as thrilling or amusing as I had hoped for. The storyline is somewhat the same, but the wonderful details are not depicted nearly as wonderfully as the book and the ending is altered. There is also some bathroom humour that might appeal to some, but I found it distasteful and certainly not the exact feel that Dahl was after. Mind you, there were some touching moments in the movie, but they just don’t compare to the original book.
Don’t Rush Out to see this movie
So, is The BFG a movie that you want to rush out to the theatre to see? In my humble opinion, no. While this is a film that is highly anticipated and has definitely been hyped up and advertised to great extent, it is not one that I feel deserves your hard earned money. I do think that most fans of the book will want to see it and should see it to compare the story to the film. However, waiting to see it on DVD would be an option that I suggest. This is a book that you should definitely not judge by its movie.
About Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer and screenwriter of Norwegian descent, who rose to prominence in the 1940's with works for both children and adults, and became one of the world's bestselling authors.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
I’ve not read the book. And I will wait to see the movie on cable. I don’t have little kids, so it’s rare for me to see movies like this in the theater.
Personally, I am not even sure that I would risk showing this one to little kids, as it does have some frightening elements.
I saw the trailer and it looked great . But i think that they put the best parts in a trailer .
Thank you for the review .
I think that you are right! 🙂
Book over movie, any day! Especially if the movie doesn’t give credit to the book. So, book it is!
I know, right??!!
I’ll definitely be watching and reading this! It sounds wonderful!
I grew up on Dahl so can never enjoy the films! I’d pick my imagination over a movie anyday!
You know, I should have taken this approach myself. I saw Spielberg and just assumed that it was going to be well done. Totally agree with you! 🙂
I love watching a good movie but I have to read the book to really be able to enjoy it! So books are way cooler and more exciting! than a movie,,
@tisonlyme143
Excellent review! It’s embarrassing to say that I haven’t read the book nor seen the movie. The audio book is a great alternative to the book since it sounds more fun with the narrator and all the background sounds. I must get a copy of it.
I’ve not read this one or seen the movie. My niece saw the movie & enjoyed it.
This looks like a good book/movie
I listened to a few Roald Dahl audiobooks with my kids before we saw BFG. I didn’t like the movie, but they did!
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I think we will skip the movie and stick with the book. I have enjoyed some of the film adaptions of Dahl’s novels but generally prefer the books.
This looks really cute. Nice review!
Thanks for the honest review.
Honestly, I’ve always loved the books better! Thanks for sharing your review!