Water for Elephants - A Movie Review

[dragonheart]

My husband dragged me kicking and screaming to a movie last night.  I really didn't want to go, I wanted to stay home and finish up Clash of Kings, but he wanted to get out of the house, so dinner and a movie it was.

The only movie playing that I would even consider seeing was Water for Elephants and it was not on my must see list.  I read the book and absolutely loved it, but I had no desire to see the movie - mainly because it starred Robert Pattinson.

A few years ago, I volunteered to take my then 14 year old niece to see the first Twilight movie.  She had been raving about the book for weeks and I thought - vampires, werewolves - that's my kind of movie, so I eagerly signed on. She loved it, I hated it.  One of the reasons I hated it was Robert Pattinson, I wanted to tear out my eyes every time he was on screen - yes, I thought he was that bad.  Heresy, I know.  I am sorry Twihards - I wanted to put a stake through Edward's heart and end his maudlin moping forever and put me out of my misery, but I digress.

I didn't think I could sit through two hours of Robert, but I did love the book and Reese Witherspoon is one of my favorite actresses, so I capitulated with the understanding that after the movie, I could retire with my book and a glass of wine - he agreed, so off we went.

In the words of my favorite NCIS character - I feel like a donkey's butt.  Why? Because Robert Pattinson OWNED this movie along with Christoph Waltz - when they were on screen it was magic.  And my favorite Reese? While she was beautiful to look at, her performance was flat and one dimensional and she had no chemistry on screen - she was just going through the motions and you could tell.

I won't give anything away, but I will say that while the book did an excellent job of portraying the darker side of human nature in the way we treat each other and our fellow creatures, seeing it in color and on the big screen will leave your heart in your throat.  Some of those images will haunt me for a long time. 

Would I recommend this movie? yes.  Would I see it again? probley not - only because of aforementioned hauntings

Kytivafan rating: 3/5 stars

Comments

[rigil-kent.livejournal.com]

I recommend Thor. Comic book movie, yes, but lots of fun and Chris Hemsworth rules.

And I feel for you re: Twilight. To me, it would only be worth it if Buffy and Faith the Vampire Slayers teamed up with Blade and wiped them out. :P

[alidiabin]

I'd only watch Thor because it has Natalie Portman in it.

[toomuchfandom.livejournal.com]

Robert is a good actor, he can't really show it in Twilight, but another good Rob movie is "Remember Me" (it had me in tears and it had a great WTF moment in the end) and the other one is where he's Salvator Dali.

I'm planning on seeing Water For Elephants, I just need to get some money first.

[alidiabin]

remember me is great too. I was in tears at the end.

[libbipage.livejournal.com]

Re: Twilight--you'll hear no argument from me. I'm not big into most of the cult follower books (I've never read Harry Potter and I've never read Twilight), and one day my best friend and I were channel surfing and the Twilight movie was on HBO and we caught the first fifteen minutes and both wanted to vomit. Mostly, though, it was due to Kristen Stewart's acting (or severe lack there of) that we wanted to tear our eyes out of their sockets. I think I've finally found myself on board with a popular book series, however, since I just read the Hunger Games trilogy in less than a week and fell completely in love.

Glad to hear you liked Water for Elephants, both the book and the movie. I really need to sit down and read that book, especially since it's about a veterinary student. All of my classmates that read it really loved it, but of course we're all a bit biased so it's nice to hear coming from someone outside the profession!! :)

Hope you're having a good weekend!

[alidiabin]

When me sisters brought the Twilight DVD into the house me facebook status was "is wrapping noose around neck now"

Sometimes life surprises you.

I must read the book once I finish 'Panther in the Basement' and 'An Almost Perfect Moment' and all the other unfinished books on my desk.