You can call this a more or less faithful abridged adaptation of the book. They had to make some minor changes here and there to fit the serialised novel into the 2 hour time limit, but everything was done tastefully.
But that doesn't make it particularly good. No, since it's trying to remain faithful to a full-length novel, instead of focusing on a little here and there, the plot rushes from scene to scene to try to cram everything in. Some of the drama and richness of the characters is lost in the celerity of the presentation.
It preserves the Victorian setting very nicely, which I appreciate, so I like it better than the 2007 version. However, it really didn't need to exist. The acting or casting isn't particularly brilliant and, as I said, it's different from the book in only minor points. As it stands, it's like a poorer version of a well-known song. You'll get possibly more out of a radio drama, the cliff's notes, the South Park recreation, the TV show, or the old movie. Gratuitous and unnecessary.
If you read the book, you could have some fun seeing the characters brought to life and picking out the differences between book and film. If not, you might be confused about what's going on.
Honourable Mentions: The Grey (2011). Liam Neeson gets lost in a forest in Canadia or Alaska or something and has to fight off some wolves with his fists. If you were going to watch this movie because you thought the guy on the cover was Neeson, there's a good consolation prize for you.
But that doesn't make it particularly good. No, since it's trying to remain faithful to a full-length novel, instead of focusing on a little here and there, the plot rushes from scene to scene to try to cram everything in. Some of the drama and richness of the characters is lost in the celerity of the presentation.
It preserves the Victorian setting very nicely, which I appreciate, so I like it better than the 2007 version. However, it really didn't need to exist. The acting or casting isn't particularly brilliant and, as I said, it's different from the book in only minor points. As it stands, it's like a poorer version of a well-known song. You'll get possibly more out of a radio drama, the cliff's notes, the South Park recreation, the TV show, or the old movie. Gratuitous and unnecessary.
If you read the book, you could have some fun seeing the characters brought to life and picking out the differences between book and film. If not, you might be confused about what's going on.
Honourable Mentions: The Grey (2011). Liam Neeson gets lost in a forest in Canadia or Alaska or something and has to fight off some wolves with his fists. If you were going to watch this movie because you thought the guy on the cover was Neeson, there's a good consolation prize for you.