Adaptingbeloved source materialis always risky. On the one hand, you’re basically guaranteed a strong box office opening as fans of the original flock to the theater. However, this means the viewers will also have high expectations and strong opinions, making disappointment much more likely.
As a result, many screen adaptations are outright reviled, especially by those who love the original works most. However, some people still adore these divisive adaptations. Redditors recently got together onr/movies, the largest film subreddit, to discuss the polarizing adaptations that they personally enjoy.
10’Warcraft' (2016)
Warcraftis an epic fantasy film directed byDuncan Jones, based on the popular video game series of the same name. It tells the story of the initial encounter between the human kingdom of Azeroth and the orcish Horde, two factions that clash in a fierce conflict for survival. The lead actors includeTravis Fimmelas Anduin Lothar, a brave human warrior, andToby Kebbellas Durotan, a noble orc chieftain who seeks to protect his people from the dark magic of the Horde’s warlock, Gul’dan (Daniel Wu).
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It was a major box office bomb and drew negative reviews, though it still packs some breathtaking visual effects and intense battle scenes. “I think theWarcraftmovie is about as good of an adaptation of that story you could have made,” saidRedditor ZombieStomp. “I would have preferred it be fully animated (humans included) but I can see how that would be unrealistic (marketing and budget-wise).”
9’Constantine' (2005)
This supernatural action-thriller follows thetitular DC character(Keanu Reeves), a cynical and irreverent occult detective forced to defend humanity against a demon seeking to unleash Hell on Earth. Reeves is joined byRachel Weiszas Angela Dodson, a police detective who teams up with Constantine to investigate her sister’s suicide, andTilda Swintonas the androgynous angel Gabriel.
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“A fantastic movie,” saysRedditor TocTheElder. “Ilovethe visual design and the cast. Especially the looks and performances of Tilda Swinton as Gabriel andPeter Stormareas Lucifer. Especially Swinton. She has such a dynamic, angelic yet commanding screen presence.”
8’The Green Knight' (2021)
A Ghost Story’sDavid Loweryhelmed this dark fantasy based on the Arthurian legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.Dev Patelplays Gawain, a young and ambitious knight who accepts the challenge of the Green Knight (Ralph Ineson) to strike him with a blow that will be returned a year later.
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“I loved the movie. I think a lot of the disappointment came from marketing and people’s expectations,” saidthe user IntraspaceAlien. “It was an atmospheric and trippy movie focused almost entirely on the journey and the main character’s growth throughout it. From what I’ve read, a lot of people went in expecting a more traditional fantasy movie with more excitement and action.”
7’War of the Worlds' (2005)
Tom Cruisestars in thisSpielbergremake of the classic sci-fi byH.G. Wellsas a divorced father who finds himself fighting for the survival of his family when a devastating alien invasion hits Earth. He tries to get his daughter (Dakota Fanning) to safety as the world collapses around them.
It’s far from Spielberg’s best sci-project, with neither the heart ofE.T.nor the intensity ofClose Encounters of the Third Kind. Nevertheless, some Redditors adore the film. “It had its warts but the overall scale and feel of the movie was spot on, “Redditor PM_ME_UR_FAKE_NEWSsaid. “I just wish Dakota Fanning wasn’t so annoying in the movie.”
6’Super Mario Bros.' (1993)
Just this month, the latestSuper Mario Bros.adaptation openedto positive reviewsand a strong box office performance. However, the originalSuper Mario Bros. movie in the early ’90s received a much more lukewarm reaction. In particular, many fans were disappointed by its departure from the source material and the lack of quality in its special effects.
Bob HoskinsandJohn Leguizamoplay the titular plumbers from Brooklyn who are transported to an alternate universe where they must rescue Princess Daisy (Samantha Mathis) from the evil King Koopa (Dennis Hopper). Despite its flaws, the film remains a nostalgic reminder of the early days of video game adaptations and has earned a small cult following. “The 90’sMario Brosmovie f—ing rocks,” saysthe user mikeyfreshh. “Like unironically, it’s really good.”
5’Resident Evil' (2002)
The firstResident Evilfollows Alice (Milla Jovovich), a security operative who wakes up in a top-secret underground facility with no memory of who she is or how she got there. Together with a team of soldiers, Alice must navigate the facility and fight off hordes of mutated creatures unleashed by the corrupt Umbrella Corporation, all while uncovering the dark secrets hidden within the complex.
“Resident Evil(2002) feels like a nice little side-story told in relation to the Raccoon City incident, but not all about it. The reputation of this first film was completely tainted by the sequels, which- to my understanding- are really not good,” saidRedditor andrewcreatez.
4’Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' (2005)
Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore) is a poor but kind-hearted boy who wins a golden ticket to tour the mysterious and magical chocolate factory of Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp). It was always going to be controversial based on how much people love the original film, butTim Burtonnevertheless succeeds in conjuring up his own unique, slick fantasy world. His signature gothic aesthetic works well in the context ofRoald Dahl’s beloved story.
“Johnny Depp didn’t have the twinkle ofGene Wilder, to be sure, but Willy Wonka is supposed to be a little unnerving. I thought Freddie Highmore was an endearing Charlie, and I loved the look of it, particularlyDeep Roydoing all the Oompa Loompa songs. The only thing I truly hated was the dentist/daddy issues additions,” saidthe user lukieinthesky82.
3’Assassin’s Creed' (2016)
Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) is a death row inmate who is forced to participate in a groundbreaking technology called the Animus, which allows him to relive the memories of his ancestor Aguilar de Nerha, an assassin during the Spanish Inquisition. Alongside Fassbender, the film featuresMarion Cotillardas Dr. Sophia Rikkin,Jeremy Ironsas Alan Rikkin, andBrendan Gleesonas Joseph Lynch. Despite the star-studded cast, neither fans nor critics embraced this action-adventure based on the video game franchise.
However, some Redditors consider it to be underrated. “The Animus scenes were more visually dynamic and the way the memory scenes were purely in the language of the period was an interesting variation on how the games work,” saidu/LordDusty. “Its cinematography, choreography, and score was incredible, but what else would you expect from theKurzel brothersas a follow-up to 2015’sMacbeth?”
2’Cloud Atlas' (2012)
Cloud Atlasis an epic sci-fi directed byTom Tykwer,Lana Wachowski, andLilly Wachowski, based on the novel byDavid Mitchell.The word ‘epic’ is tossed around lightly, but here it’s more than justified. The film weaves together six narratives that span different time periods and locations, from a 19th-century sea voyage to a post-apocalyptic future. The ensemble cast includes huge names likeTom Hanks,Halle Berry,Jim Broadbent,Hugo Weaving, andSusan Sarandonplaying multiple roles across the different storylines.
The movie known for its ambitious and complex storytelling, as well as its themes of interconnectedness and reincarnation. Despite its mixed reception upon release,Cloud Atlashas gained a small but dedicated fan base, many of whom consider it to be faithful to Mitchell’s vision. “It’s a great adaptation of difficult source material,” saysthe user wIlalotha.
1’Hulk' (2003)
In thisAng Leeadaptation,Eric Banaplays Dr. Bruce Banner, a genetics researcher who accidentally transforms into the Hulk, a massive green creature with incredible strength, after exposure to gamma radiation. Lee was always an odd choice for a superhero movie, and here he emphasizes psychological drama and character development over action-packed set pieces, which might explain whyHulkdidn’t connect with most Marvel fans.
Nevertheless, it remains an interesting and thought-provoking take on one of Marvel’s most iconic characters. “It would’ve done FAR better in the MCU era,“Redditor MuNansenexplains. “It was ahead of its time. It was Ang Lee saying ‘This is how I’d embrace the genre full-on’ and he went all-in. In the enormous sea of superhero movies we have now, that unique take would be far better accepted.”
