Review of The Dark Tower (2017) by Brett K — 03 Aug 2017

Review from a fan who read and loved the book series and tie in novels....

First off, thanks for finally making this. Trying to summarize 1400+ pages or over 100 audio book hours into a 90 min movie, that will entrigue the studios to invest further in the series while keeping the fans happy, is an amazing accomplishment - '...and Roland would have understood'.

Without giving any direct spoilers to the epic novels, this movie does work into the storyline (that might not make sense if your only partly got through the series but by the end it all could tie in). The novels actually incorporated some interesting concepts of quantum mechanics that lead to multiple versions of reality alongside 'keystone earth' and 'Roland's world' in the movie. In these realities, there are slight and major differences between the same characters that exist in each world. There wasn't time in the movie to explain all this.

The movie follows one of Roland's two main quests - to find the man in black and to reach the tower. The emphasis wasn't on reaching the tower and getting to the top in this movie but that could be left for a sequel especially if he is able to get some of the 'vision' that he saw at the end of The Gunslinger (best left for a Netflix or Hulu series along side the backstory).

The movie was fun and set the stage. If you go in with that expectation, you will like the movie. The visual effects kept my attention and the casting was great. There was a lack of emotion though because there was no time to build a back story. The connection between the audience and the characters wasn't there....yet. I was hoping for more of a battle in the house and even a glimpse of the Crimson King. I noticed that Susan Delgado charater was in the credits - although I didn't make the connection when watching. Again, different storyline reality with her and a cool concept.

I also missed not seeing Eddie, Susanna, Callahan or Oy. They we very essential to the books and to Roland's character development. You almost have to parallel this movie with just the first book, as just these the three main characters are in both. If you read the first book, you will keep going - I promise you'll see how the movie ties in.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie. Personally, I would have liked a 3hr R-rated version with lobstrosities, baby-spiders, pissed off super computer trains and unpredicatble robots. That would have been risky at first stab. Since it wasn't too over the top and geared for a larger audience, I'll bring my 12 and 16 year old girls to see it and see if they like it. The wheel of ka is a circle!

The movie is a glimpse into the imagination behind King's Magnus Opus. If it sparks an interest, read the books, listen to the audiobooks and wait for what's next in the journey.. there are other worlds than these...