Monday, November 10, 2003

Next up: The Poky Little Puppy -- Director's Cut

Am I the only one who finds something seriously WRONG about the whole idea of a movie of "Cat in the Hat"? Not only that -- a PG rated movie?

I'm not against adapting children's books for the big screen as a matter of course. Hell, I'm looking forward to the next "Harry Potter" movie as much as the nearest 12 year old. (Probably more. Odds are, he doesn't have a crush on Alan Rickman.)

But I do think there's something fundamentally wrong with adapting for the screen a book whose only justification is to make kids sit down and read it. It isn't like it's a particularly intriguing story or it has anything remarkable in the way of characterization -- Seuss just did the best that he could when writing in rhyme at a 6-year-old's reading level. And that's sort of the whole POINT of the book. There's no point in fleshing out the story and ratcheting up the level of the dialogue for a more mature audience -- what makes the book GOOD is that a six-year-old can read it, comprehend it, enjoy it, laugh at it, and have a feeling of accomplishment when they've completed it.

Has our society dumbed things down so much that we have to make a movie out of a learn-to-read book? What's next -- a six part mini-series on "Pat the Bunny"?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, we've already made movies based on classic novels, video games, and Disney theme park attractions. Learn-to-read books were probably the last "fresh idea."

Anonymous said...

Ugh! Sorry about the double comment. The %$#& button wouldn't work!

Anonymous said...

Well, we've already made movies based on classic novels, video games, and Disney theme park attractions. Learn-to-read books were probably the last "fresh idea."

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking it's some misguided effort to appeal to all ages...even the boomers (who are now Grandma and Grandpa) grew up reading Dr. Seuss. ...And an attempt to capitalize on the success of "the Grinch." (Which I never understood..always hated that book...) It's all about selling tickets (and marketing paraphernalia...)

Anonymous said...

I hear ya on that one. Plus -- it is kinda freaky. I mean, the books were kinda freaky anyway -- I loved them but -- I went to Universal Studios a year ago and I went to Dr. Seuss land or whatever it was called -- it freaked me out A LITTLE. But -- this is coming from someone who is scared of Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory.

Anonymous said...

GREAT JOURNAL!

I think that the reason they have to make movies from childrens books , is because the education system in this country has deteriorated to such a point that "reading" has become a four letter word. Sad sad state of affairs.

Andreakingme reccomneded your journal. She was so very right. You kick tooshy!
Keep it up!