Among many adaptations that tear you apart with their inaccuracies, terrible cast and terrible everything, there are adaptations that are worthy of their source and fans. The Iris will take you on a journey through the best ones.
Gone Girl
True to its bestselling source, Gone Girl centres on Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) whose life spirals down as his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) goes missing, but things aren’t what they seem. The adaptation captures the mystery and eerie plot twist well, leaving you on the edge of your seat and applaud.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy
An obvious one. The award-winning trilogy sparked new growth to the fanbase and the books themselves, and inspired more fantasy blockbusters or stories. While some fans pointed out flaws, there was no denying that the trilogy was something you couldn’t ignore and after over 10 years, you still can’t.
Romeo + Juliet
Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet manages to keep theatrical elements and the language of Shakespeare, dropping them in the modern Verona Beach. Swords are switched to guns, the rivalry is between family corporations in this world. Resulting in a spectacular film that reaches a wide audience and heightening the tragedy while sticking true to the source.
X-Men
Being the first of live-action comic book adaptations, X-Men blew everyone including fans away. It amazingly captures the struggle of the mutants, the aim of the X-Men led by Professor X (Patrick Stewart), and the mystery (that promises angst) surrounding Wolverine (spectacularly played by Hugh Jackman) and entwining them with the villain Magneto (Ian McKellen)’s mission to bring world mutant domination. X-Men remains the perfect start to the Marvel universe, well, in the X-Men world.
Kick-Ass
Unique and nothing like other comic book adaptations, Kick-Ass balances the serious, the kicking and the hilarious that make up the comic book. The story of an ordinary and ambitious teen Dave (Aaron Taylor Johnson) who wants nothing but to be a superhero, inspiring us all and also making us laugh with his failures and moments of him overestimating himself.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Another a comedic comic book adaptation worthy of its source and everyone. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World captures the high stakes, the comedy, several lines and the setting from the source, earning praise.
Scott (Michael Cera) falls in love with Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) but before he can date her, he has to fight and defeat her seven exes. Oh and all of them are evil, but different and hilariously ridiculous. Watch an ordinary teen wanting an ordinary, significant milestone and get tangled up with forces of evil because of it.
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