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

Stephen King is probably the most filmed writer. "The Dark Tower" — his most famous work. And not without reason. The cycle consists of an eight not small books. They varied in quality, but still dragged them into his world. Rumors about the film adaptation began to circulate in 2007, and ten years later we got a film based on the series of novels. This film everyone was waiting for, because in books there is everything you can love a captivating story: a charismatic protagonist, interesting world, inhabited by different dangers, evil villains, and an interesting mythology of the world. But many fans and sympathizers was suspicious of the film before the premiere. Black Roland, that all sin! Yes, and the film will last only 1.5 hours. Also this film is not the film adaptations of the books of the cycle, and their continuation! This is a controversial step. For fans of the great cash not to do a "stray" audience can not understand. But the writers did it! Maybe the fans will complain, they always will be. But for me, as someone who has never read a single book from the series, though, and knows a lot about them, the film exceeded my expectations, which, by the way, was no. Roland — the protagonist of a cycle of novels. Here he plays a talented Idris Elba. Himself Stephen King praised his acting! And even cut some dialogues of Roland, as the Elba, perfectly passed all his facial expressions. I think the Gunslinger could play and Matthew McConaughey, and Idris Elba Man in Black. But we have what we have. Idris Elba has really fine job with the role. Roland is still the same charismatic, and how awesome he is with revolvers! He has his own drama, and not even knowing her backstory from the books, you're still experiencing it with the hero.

Matthew McConaughey plays the Man in Black — main villain of the film, which is pumped from the books. Playing McConaughey nice to watch. When he's on screen, it just steals the stage with her charisma. About him the villain we know almost nothing, and he wants to destroy a Dark tower, to rule the world, but thanks to the game McConaughey, he does not seem so flat villain. Roland, though the hero of the books, but not this film. He is one of the main characters. The engine of this movie is the boy Jake, who has the gift of "the shining". He foresees things and sees "the middle world" is one of the variations of Land where the lives of Roland. The guy behaves heroically, though, and is a small burden to Roland. The movie is 1.5 hours, and we began to forget what it is. Usually blockbusters are now 2 hours or more, and we are already used to this pace. But this timing does not allow the film to sagging in the dynamics. The narrative here is very dynamic and, at times, throws us abruptly from scene to scene. At first it's annoying and it feels like some kind of serial format. But you get used to it. Such dynamics is great for such a simple plot. We have a guy who is being chased by the villain, and a good shot trying to save him and kill the man in black. Everything is simple and without surprises. The series of books was large and there was always a continuation. This film though has the freedom to continue, a complete work. Of course, first and foremost it is perfect for fans of books that finally got really the end. The world of books is varied, but the film didn't show us many of its inhabitants, and in general, feel the lack of budget.

The movie "The Dark Tower " is not to be confused with the adaptation of another author. Though this film is not an adaptation of the books of the cycle, Stephen King felt here. In the books the dynamics a little, the film is completely dynamic. This is action movie in which the books of Stephen King was almost nothing left. Fans will not be happy, but for people who have not read the book the movie will make a good impression. Yes, Idris Elba is not Clint Eastwood, who Stephen King was inspired by when creating the image by hand but Idris played it well! Before watching the movie don’t have to read the book, which is good. But if you read the whole cycle, you will understand much more. Although, the audience and explain a lot. It is a dynamic, emotional film that will not let you get bored.