Should I Read The SERENITY Novelization Before I See The Movie? by FilmCritic3000

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Should I Read The SERENITY Novelization Before I See The Movie?

POSTED BY: FILMCRITIC3000
UPDATED: Friday, September 9, 2005 09:37
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VIEWED: 7772
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Thursday, August 4, 2005 6:49 AM

Well, we all know that we're going to do any and everything that we can to support Joss, our BDH, and our BDM. So besides those who've already seen the film, is anyone who hasn't going to read the novel in advance of the film's release? I'm tempted but then there's part of me that wants the new big-screen 'Verse to remain fresh for my eyes come September 30th.

Thoughts, comments, etc? Thanks!

"The first thing I do in the morning is brush
my teeth and sharpen my tongue." -- Dorothy Parker

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Thursday, August 4, 2005 6:57 AM

SIMONWHO

Trust me, wait for the movie. I don't care how good the novel is, the story was designed and tailored for the big screen. I'm sure the book will be very enjoyable but Joss is one of that rare breed that can convey 1,000 words 24 times a second.

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Thursday, August 4, 2005 7:44 AM

258WESTAUTHENTIC

Quote:
Originally posted by FilmCritic3000:
Well, we all know that we're going to do any and everything that we can to support Joss, our BDH, and our BDM. So besides those who've already seen the film, is anyone who hasn't going to read the novel in advance of the film's release? I'm tempted but then there's part of me that wants the new big-screen 'Verse to remain fresh for my eyes come September 30th.

Thoughts, comments, etc? Thanks!

Up to you, but since the Novelization is stright from the Script of the movie I would not.

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Thursday, August 4, 2005 8:05 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Me personally, I would wait & see the movie before reading the book. I loved the movie, but I think reading the book first might have ruined a couple of moments in the movie for me by knowing in advance they were about to happen.

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

http://www.richmondbrowncoats.org

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Thursday, August 4, 2005 8:09 AM

ICCLEDAMES

I had the same dilemma but about Revenge of the Sith. In the end I read the book before the film and whilst reading it was good at the time, it did take alot of impact away from the film.

Now, I'm looking forward to Serenity even more than Star Wars so I'm going to buy the book as soon as it comes out but I'm not going to read it until I've seen the film.

That way I have the 'peace of mind' knowing that I actually have the book but I can still enjoy the film.

My way of thinking of it is if the film is based on a book, the book is always better (Anyone who's read the books of Jurassic Park and The Lost World will agree I'm sure). If the book is based on the film, then it's going to be the film that's the better. At least that's my opinion in any case...

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Thursday, August 4, 2005 8:33 AM

NOSADSEVEN

Well, I've seen the movie, and I'm still not going to read the novelization until after I've seen the movie again. Twice. There is just so much in the movie, and I really want to process it all myself, first.

That being said, I'm still going to run out to the bookstore in August as soon as it's released, and pick myself up a copy. That is when the exercise in self control really begins...

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ain't. We. Just.

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Thursday, August 4, 2005 8:42 AM

MANOSBDH

Seriously, you want to experience the movie fresh. I've never read a novelization that was particularly good and a novelization that might take away from the shock and awe of the movie would be a horrible idea. With Star Wars, it's more about the story itself, not really how it's portrayed (heck, in your imagination Hayden Christenson might just be able to act!)so the novelization has some value. Here, we have a cast of amazing actors, visually stunning action scenes that a novel could never capture, and surprises that you REALLY don't want spoiled for you in a most likely mediocre book. Read it after if you want, but go in fresh.

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Thursday, August 4, 2005 4:59 PM

VELOXI

I'll see the movie a few times myself before reading the book, in order to get all I can out of it. :)

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Thursday, August 4, 2005 5:08 PM

MER

Usually novelizations aren't necessary unless it'll by chance have certain things that the movie doesn't have.

But yea, its up to you. ^_^

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Thursday, August 4, 2005 6:32 PM

PHYSCHICK

I agree with everyone, wait to read the novelization! I was at one of the pre-screenings and it's a movie you'll want to see without all the good lines given away beforehand, since they're so much funnier when the actors say them (there's even more great stuff in the film than what's in the trailers, unlike most movies).

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Thursday, August 4, 2005 7:15 PM

VOLATILEMEMORY

Having seen the film, I'd say... NO!!!!

v.m

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Thursday, August 4, 2005 10:28 PM

WHEDONESQUE

NOOOOOOO!!

Please. I beg you!
Don't. Read. The. Book. First.

Okay, I'm being a bit dramatic

, but I really recommed that you see the movie first. Unless you've been completely 'spoiled' already... But if you don't already know all the major plot points, the movie will be much more powerful, IMO.

Just my $0.02.

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Sunday, August 7, 2005 6:55 PM

MOOSE

Watch the movie first of course!!!
Besides, the novel is probably written by some 2-bit Hollywood hack!

ow!
ow!
ow!

Oh, hey KRAD! Didn't see ya there...

I was going to try my best to not read the book first, but after reading the excerpt (damn good, BTW)...I don't think I'll have enough willpower to hold out.

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Sunday, August 7, 2005 7:04 PM

RIVERGIRL

depends on how spoiled you want to be

I have seen the film but was pretty spoiled

knowing did not lesson the SEEING

Also, I can kill you with my brain.

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Monday, August 8, 2005 12:07 AM

KRAD

Quote:
unless it'll by chance have certain things that the movie doesn't have.

Er, every novelization has things that the movie doesn't have. That's inevitable -- a novel has considerably more storytelling space than a movie, so a novelizer has to add stuff, otherwise it won't be a novel, it'll be a pamphlet.

In the case of Serenity, there's lots of stuff that isn't in the movie.

Keith R.A. DeCandido
keith@decandido.net
www.DeCandido.net | www.AlbeShiloh.com
www.livejournal.com/~kradical

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Monday, August 8, 2005 12:13 AM

SIMONWHO

I refer the honourable gentleman to Mr Terrence Dicks, master of the "He said ... and he replied..." novelisation.

Seriously, watch it as a movie first then go to the novel to fill in the extra details.

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Tuesday, August 30, 2005 6:19 PM

MOOSE

I just picked KRAD's novelization up from Barnes & Noble. I'm trying my best not to read past the excerpts that have been posted, but I can feel willpower seeping away....

"Read me........Read me......Read me..."

I even tried putting the book in my locker, but the voice still comes.....

I haven't seen the movie yet, BTW.

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Wednesday, August 31, 2005 4:38 AM

HEB

Please don't!

I absolutely promise you, you should watch the movie first.

There's a big difference between being spoiled and knowing every line and every moment in a movie in advance.

I can not imagine how this would not ruin the movie for you. The story and dialogue was designed for a film not for a book and it should be seen that way, in my opinion.

...................
Well, my sister's a ship... we had a
complicated childhood
.................
I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.

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Wednesday, August 31, 2005 4:44 AM

FRAY101

Seems pretty much unanimous, doesn't it?!

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Wednesday, August 31, 2005 4:53 AM

NAKEDANDARTICULATE

Ive seen the movie twice,and even tho I knew a few spoilers before I saw the movie--please DO NOT READ THE BOOK UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THE FILM!!!
That being said,I started reading the novel yesterday---KRAD IS AWESOME!!!! You really capture the spirit and characters of the film.Kudos to you kind sir,KUDOS!

"Hamsters is nice."

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Wednesday, August 31, 2005 6:49 AM

SHINY

WAIT. FOR. THE. BIG. DAMN. MOVIE.

(at lesat that's my opinion, having seen it) :)

---

Serenity is coming. 9/30/05.

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Wednesday, August 31, 2005 3:29 PM

MOOSE

NO! I'm going to read it!!! I want to be different!!!

Actually, I made it to

Select to view spoiler:

when Book dies.

And have decided to hold off on the rest.

It's KRAD's fault for being such a great author!
I was halfway through before I knew it. He does a great job of capturing everyone's character.

I'm going to have to pick up one of his other books to hold me over until next month.

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Wednesday, August 31, 2005 3:45 PM

JUMPY

Be strong! I can't tell you how many spoilers I've wanted to highlight but I haven't and I won't! I think you'll nejoy the movie a lot more if its new and a surprise no?

__________________________
There's no show I'd rather see, than the one with Serenity.
You can't take the sky from me...

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Wednesday, August 31, 2005 4:16 PM

LIZANNE

Quote:
Originally posted by FilmCritic3000:
Should I Read The SERENITY Novelization Before I See The Movie?

No.

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Wednesday, August 31, 2005 8:53 PM

KRAD

Quote:
I'm going to have to pick up one of his other books to hold me over until next month.

I like this plan.

Keith R.A. DeCandido
keith@decandido.net
www.DeCandido.net | www.AlbeShiloh.com
www.livejournal.com/~kradical

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Friday, September 9, 2005 3:58 AM

LITWOLF689

Wait for the movie. The novel will ruin the surprise of some of the best scenes in the movie. See the movie then read the book. Trust me.

"Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the road less traveled by and they CANCELLED MY FREAKIN' SHOW! I totally shoulda took the road that had all those people on it. Damnit." ~Joss

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Friday, September 9, 2005 4:52 AM

WERZBOWSKI

If you're doing your best to stay spoiler free, in your attempt to see the BDM with "fresh" eyes, then I would obviously suggest that you don't read it.

However....

If you're not afraid of knowing what's going to happen, I highly suggest to give it a read. It only made me want to see the BDM even more. It's a very well written book, and probably contains things that won't make it into the final cut of the film.

-Ski

"Let's be bad guys."

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Friday, September 9, 2005 4:58 AM

LITWOLF689

Just wanted to add that its now possible to review the Serenity novel on Amazon/Borders.com. I have already added my own review. Just so ya know.

"Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the road less traveled by and they CANCELLED MY FREAKIN' SHOW! I totally shoulda took the road that had all those people on it. Damnit." ~Joss

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Friday, September 9, 2005 9:37 AM

KELSO

Stupid double post :(

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Friday, September 9, 2005 9:37 AM

KELSO

Well, I just finished reading the novelization... and I have yet to see the film. I have no will power!

I did enjoy the novel, though.

-------
Well, here I am.

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