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The Fandom’s 2013 Book-to-Movie Year in Review

There were quite a few great Young Adult books that were translated for the big screen in 2013!

Four of our admins– Adam, Kait, Nat, and Jessi– broke down our thoughts on the best and worst YA adaptations we saw this year! Because you can’t judge a book by its movie (at least not all the time!)

BEAUTIFUL CREATURES

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Kait

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being best), what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters?  8 – Alden Ehrenreich and Alice Englert gave such wonderful, honest portrayals as Ethan and Lena, but the adult actors got a like hokey.
Favorite scene(s): Ethan and Lena’s argument at the Gatlin border
On a scale of 1-10 (10 being best), how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 5. Why give the movie an ending so different from the book?
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book? The movie seemed to have more lightness and humor to it, mainly thanks to Alden Ehrenreich’s realistic, somewhat aloof portrayal of Ethan.

Nat

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters? 7 – I felt the younger actors did a pretty good job of portraying their characters, especially Alden Ehrenreich and Alice Englert.  
Favorite scene(s): Ethan and Lena’s fight
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 6, the ending was very different from the book

Jessi

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters?  I’m going to rate this even though I haven’t read the book and give them an 8.5.  I was completely wrapped up in Lena and Ethan’s love story.  That’s not an easy task to accomplish so I have to give both Alice Englert and Alden Ehrenreich a ton of credit for successfully pulling it off!  
Favorite scene(s): Their first kiss.  

ENDER’S GAME

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Adam

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters?  9. I liked the way Harrison Ford embellished on the Graff character, especially considering his legendary track record, and the child performances were contained and nuanced.
Favorite scene(s): The final scene. I was touched deeply, just as I was in the book.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 8
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book? It’s not so much that I liked it better, but I thought they did a solid job of fusing several characters together to create a more linear, coherent plotline for new viewers.

Kait

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters?  Add whatever comments you want.  9. There are very few problems regarding character portrayals in this movie. Everyone really understood their role. The only character that sadly underwhelmed me was Abigail Breslin’s Valentine.
Favorite scene(s): The graduation battle and reaction. So well done by all involved.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 8. There were certainly things left out, but I think everything important to the central storyline  made it in.
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book? The exclusion of the Demosthenes/Locke plotline was a relief to me. I really feel like that dragged in the book and wasn’t a very believeable component of the series.

Nat

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters? 6 – Asa’s performance was probably the one that struck me the most as the closest to his character.  Most of the others did a decent job.  
Favorite scene(s): The battle room scenes were great, and I wish there was more.  
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book?  7, there’s a lot that was missed, but the book was pretty dense, so it’s not surprising.  
 
Jessi

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters?  9. While I love Harrison Ford and feel he did a solid job portraying Graff, I was most impressed with Asa Butterfield as Ender. For me, he completely owned that role.  Though, overall I thought most of the actors did a pretty decent job.  No major complaints from me.
Favorite scene(s): The scene immediately following Ender’s final battle.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 9.   I thought this was an extremely faithful adaptation.  
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book? This is one case where I may have liked the movie better than the book.  I didn’t miss anything that was cut from the book.  Actually, I think the cuts made the movie better. Wise exclusions.

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG

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Adam

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters?  8. This film had several flaws, but acting was not one of them. Having Orlando Bloom back was a treat, and Ian McKellan was his dependable awesome self. Also, even though I didn’t think she was quite up to Liv Tyler’s mastery, Evangeline Lilly was extremely believable as an elf and dazzled on screen. 
Favorite scene(s): The barrels! (And first shots of Laketown)
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 6
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book? It has been slow going, but I am finally starting to buy into the extra stuff Peter Jackson has thrown in there, specifically the material taken from other Tolkien tales. Still, these movies are far inferior to the unparalleled spectacle that was LOTR, and it’s no surprise that my favorite added stuff are the scenes that incorporate LOTR characters and storylines.

Kait

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters? 10. Actors in this series mean business! They really took their performances to the next level.
Favorite scene(s): Kili and Tauriel’s moment in Lake-town. I’m a sucker like that.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 6. The expansion of the relatively short book means lots of adding and embellishing, but it worked for the film.
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book? Tauriel! I didn’t know how I felt about a character being added in, but she gives layers to the otherwise ruthless Woodland Elves and was a welcome addition.

Nat

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters?  Add whatever comments you want.  9 – They are all fine actors.
Favorite scene(s): The tense conversation between Smaug and Bilbo
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 7 – Due to Peter Jackson expanding the book into 3 full-length movies, he did add some of his own scenes as well as the elf Tauriel, who was created by him and thus not in the book at all.
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book?  The change from Bilbo looking for the Arkenstone instead of just finding it, having that be the reason for Smaug being awoken, seems better fitted for the movie.

THE HOST

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Kait

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters?  4. My big problem with this movie is that it didn’t seem particularly genuine in its actor portrayals. Max Irons, Diane Kruger, and William Hurt made the biggest impressions on me, but Saoirse Ronan as Melanie/Wanda fell short.
Favorite scene(s): Lacy’s awakening
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 7. There were a few small changes here and there, like how Wanda got her body in the end, but the adaptation was mostly faithful.
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book? The final scene indicating that there were many Souls living in peace with humans.

Nat

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters? 8 – I really enjoyed how most of the actors portrayed their characters for the most part.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 7 – I think they did a decent job fitting the main story into the movie, despite it being such a big book.  
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book?  Unfortunately, I didn’t think much of the changes that were made.  

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

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Adam

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters?  9.5. We already knew the old standbys would deliver, and boy do they ever (Jennifer Lawrence was spectacular as always, and I liked Josh Hutcherson even more in this film). The pleasant surprise for me was the talent of the newcomers. Special mention goes to Jena Malone and Jeffrey Wright, who took my breath away with their renditions. And Sam Claflin is such a pleasant guy to have around.
Favorite scene(s): There were a lot. Victory Tour was great, the scenes in District 12 under Romulus Thread were meticulously handled, and the Fog was extremely well done. Also, the ending really packed a dynamite punch.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 9.
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book? The Capitol side of things. We had that in the first film, yes, but once again, Lionsgate expertly introduced a whole new perspective to complement Katniss’s first-person narrative.

Kait

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters? 10. The original characters are given more depth, heart, and gusto in this film. On top of that, the new additions to the cast were spectacular in their portrayals of complex, well-loved tributes. Bravo!
Favorite scene(s): The beach scene. The romance was great, but I also loved Finnick’s devastation over Annie’s jabberjays, Beetee’s plotting, and the general uncertainty in the air.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 9. Few things changed and the things that did added character depth or moved along the storyline.
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book? Johanna’s “F You” to the Capitol! No, really… All the Capitol based additions featuring Stanley Tucci were a lot of fun.

Nat

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters?  9 – Jennifer Lawrence was spectacular, and Sam Claflin and Jena Malone were surprisingly entertaining in their roles.  The rest of the cast did an amazing job.  
Favorite scene(s): The fog and the monkey scenes were impressive.  Jen and Josh did great in the beach/kiss scene.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 10
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book? They made Effie more affectionate and less aloof towards Katniss and Peeta.  

Jessi

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters? 10.  Everyone did such a great job!  Jennifer Lawrence was amazing, as always.  Jena Malone made a huge impression on me with her portrayal of Johanna Mason.  She totally exceeded my expectations.  Sam Claflin, Jeffrey Wright, and Philip Seymour Hoffman all did a good job in their new roles as well. Pretty much everyone (I won’t list them all)! What a cast!
Favorite scene(s): When Effie says goodbye to Katniss and Peeta, the interviews, the monkey mutts, and pretty much everything that happens from the moment Johanna and Katniss take off with that wire, aka, the ending.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 9.  While there were a few additions and omissions, I don’t think any of that had a negative effect.  
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book? I love how we see a more caring Effie in the movie.  We know she cares about Katniss and Peeta in the book, but it’s loud and clear in the film.  It made for some really emotional moments.  

THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES

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Adam

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters?  6. Some were better than others. Lily Collins was fine if not exceptional, and I liked Jamie Campbell Bower quite a bit as Jace, but I thought Magnus Bane and Isabelle were missing their fire. They just seemed pacified.
Favorite scene(s): The first third of the movie was spot on. I was absolutely sucked in, until some variations and cuts started happening.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 5.5.
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book? I was much happier with the book. I did like how they made the characters a little more mature and older, which made some of the dialogue work better on screen.

Kait

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters? 5. Urgh… This is one was hard because I blame the script far more than the actors, whose lines often didn’t give them a chance to shine. Lily Collins and Jaime Campbell Bower were great. The biggest disappointment was Jonathan Rhys Meyers stereotypical, rage-y portrayal of Valentine, which wasn’t even remotely close to the character in the books.
Favorite scene(s): The Hotel Dumort scene was great.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 4. This is really because the last third of the movie bounced all over the place and really killed the experience for me. The book-to-movie consistency was pretty solid up to that point and when that changed, the movie fell apart.
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book? The decision NOT to turn Simon into a rat on-screen was a good one. A lot of non-readers would’ve jumped ship then and there.

Nat

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters?  8
Favorite scene(s): The battle at the Hotel Dumort, and Simon’s admission of love to Clary.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 8
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book?  I really liked that they included Alec and Isabelle to the battle at the Hotel Dumort.  In the book, it’s only Jace and Clary that go, but the movie gave an opportunity to show how they fight together.  

Jessi

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters?  Add whatever comments you want.  6.  There were some good portrayals, and some that were less-than-good.   Jamie Campbell Bower was great!  He actually made me like Jace, which was not a thing that happened when I read the book. I also thought Robert Sheehan did a good job as Simon.  Lily Collins did a decent job as well, though for some reason it was not how I imagined Clary.
Favorite scene(s): When Simon tell’s Clary how he feels about her.  Poor Simon.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 5
What did you like about the movie that was different from the book? Jace.  I might be alone here, but I thought movie Jace was different, and much more likeable than book Jace.  Jamie Campbell Bower gets all the credit for this one.  

PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS

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Nat

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters? 7 – Although they played their parts fine, none of them really stuck out as above average, except for Nathan Fillion.  
Favorite scene(s): Every scene with Hermes (played by Nathan Fillion)
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book?

Jessi

On a scale of 1-10, what did you think of the actors’ portrayals of the characters? 6. I think everyone did a decent job.  I thought Stanley Tucci (Dionysus) and Nathan Fillion (Hermes) were good additions to the cast, and did justice to the characters they portrayed.
Favorite scene(s): Meeting Thalia.  While it wasn’t the most exceptional scene, I had been looking forward to it.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate the movie’s likeness/faithfulness to the book? 6. Even though it’s been a while since I read the books, I wouldn’t label this movie a faithful adaptation.

See you for the next round at the end of 2014!

By Nat, the Geek Girl

Southern California native who likes movies, books (Shadowhunter Chronicles, NA, YA fantasy, Red Rising series), TV shows (The Sandman), and San Diego Comic-Con. I also like to write, but don't get to do much of that aside from on here. I fell into the BTS rabbit hole, and I refuse to leave.