Throughout all time (well at least since movies have been in the making) there has been the debate of which is better; books or movies? Should books even be made into movies if they are just a disappointment? Movies often pale in comparison to the book, simply because of the fact that books can hold more information, and movies can't fit in everything. Books can fully develop the character, show you their inner thoughts and feelings, while movies take up the challenge of portraying all of this on screen. And sometimes they fail. Miserably.
Personally, I think books are better. They are more developed, and better for you. Reading makes the mind go on an adventure, that everyone experiences differently. You also get better reading skills and vocabulary from reading. Although there is something magical about seeing a movie, seeing events portrayed in front of your eyes instead of your imagination, there is not as much development and benefits. Movies do make you feel like you are experiencing the events, but that's all you get from it-entertainment. The best plots come from books, that's why they keep making books into movies. Movie plots are all the same now; independent girl who is lonely gets the guy, spy saves the day, child gets a better relationship with their parents, scary ghost murders a town. Books create unique plots with detail. The Harry Potter movies for example, was pretty well created and much like the books. The movies were so good because so many details and iconic items from the books were used. The book created a world that was spectacular and different, and to see that through a movie was amazing. Movies can't create that as well, in such detail, with such finesse.
On a random tangent, people today think they don't have time for reading. They'd rather rot their brains by staring at a screen on a phone all day. People choose entertainment over intelligence, but which is really more beneficial? Reading involves imagination, intelligence and concentration. It involves many aspects of the brain, while movies are simply watching and interpreting. Reading is calming and fascinating, and even in intense part your brain is interested but not frightened. In movies, you are more involved, but not so much calm. Movies can sometimes make a point to frighten you, disturb you in a way that books can't. Movies can leave your mind with nightmares and fears, while books have calming and therapeutic effects, while providing interesting action. Books can help people with anxiety or ADD, providing something to focus their attention on and stay calm. Books also allow you to read others thoughts and feelings better, and interact with others more positively. Although the process of reading in definition, separates you from others and is stereotyped as an "antisocial activity", in the end it has social benefits of understanding others better.Movies provide fun dates and lots to talk about, and is clearly social as well. Reading helps people in their old age, due to the way it stimulates the brain. Not only this, but reading often helps with memory loss, and the elderly who read throughout their lives showed fewer occurrences of Alzheimer's disease. Reading also helps sleep, not because it's boring but because it calms the mind.
Anyways, both books and movies have their positives and negatives but are thoroughly entertaining. However, if you are going to watch a movie, read the book first. You will understand the movie and characters better, and be able to feel truly in the movie and action when you know all that is going on. Go into the movie expecting that some scenes will be left out or not how you imagined them. Some characters are going to be different and more difficult than imagined. But overall, it is a privilege to be able to watch a movies portrayal of a book on screen, as long as it's done right.
Recently I saw the movie Divergent in theaters (based off the book Divergent) and I was thrilled and enthralled to see it. I was not disappointed. The book was fantastic and I loved it, and although the movie was slightly different, it was great to see it portrayed on screen. A great cast, great director, and a love of the book can make or break the movies portrayal of the book.
