Review of The Dark Tower (2017) by Thequietgamer — 18 Aug 2017

Three strong central performances and plenty of fan-service carry an otherwise lackluster adaptation of an 8+ book series from Stephen King. Things move at a brisk pace as the movie tries to cram differing material from seven books into roughly an hour and a half, leading to a muddled story that rushes from plot point to plot point when it should be pacing itself and leaving the door open for potential sequels the way the books did. I will say this though, it's faithfulness to the lore of the series did make for a potentially satisfying continuation of The Dark Tower series. It's just that the emphasis on closing Roland's battle with Walter as quickly as possible means that it misses out on the true spirit of the books.

The relationship between Roland and Jake is never fleshed out as they barely have a moment to ever sit down and bond. Roland's backstory and the history of Mid-World are also barely touched on. Essentially what I'm trying to say is that the movie delivers a tale that deals with the deeper elements of The Dark Tower series, but simultaneously fails to use them or even talk about them. Something any fan of the books will tell you just isn't possible. The complexities of the story are essential to Roland's quest. Those who have read the series will be able to grasp what's going on, but a lot of newcomers are likely to find themselves lost in regards to anything but the surface conflict of Roland's hunt for Walter.

Stylistically the movie is an awkward combination of fantasy and science-fiction. The books were a combination of these two genres, as well as many others, so it's true to form in that regard. It's just not handled all that well here, leaving their union to feel jumbled and perhaps incoherent. At least to anyone who hasn't read through the King books. Everything is beautifully brought to life though. The action scenes themselves are quite impressive and a lot of fun to watch as they show off why Roland is such a force to be reckoned with. Despite it's weaker narrative this adaptation/sequel to The Dark Tower series has plenty of awesome material for longtime Dark Tower fans as well as those who have also enjoyed the larger catalog of King material. It's got a little something from each of the novels in the series, as well as quite a few nods to the larger Stephen King multiverse. The way the movie borrows bits and pieces from all sorts of different areas is sure to prove entertaining to the clued in. The casting is also phenomenal. Idris Elba captures the stoic, cold natured, yet deeply layered and surprisingly human nature of Roland with ease. I just wish he hadn't been given such goofy dialog. Matthew McConaughey is simultaneously menacing and playful. A great Walter/Martin/Randall Flagg/ect. Tom Taylor is the perfect Jake as well as the heart and soul of the film. The scenes and elements that have been adapted here are done quite well.

All in all The Dark Tower is an excellently cast film that brings a bunch of material from the books to the big-screen, but fails to bring them all together into a coherent whole. Yet, when all is said and done that which is here is likely to prove a blast for Stephen King's fanbase even if it isn't the truly satisfying adaptation/continuation of his magnum opus that we were all hoping for. It tries to satisfy longtime fans and create some new ones in the process. Ultimately it fails to do either thanks to impenetrable nature of the complex lore and it's flawed attempt at transferring the book's lengthy plot into the film format. Still, there is some good to be found inside.