If there is one current trend that is as polarizing as comic book adaptations, I'd like to see it. You've got films like The Dark Knight and Road To Perdition inspired by graphic novels, that are sensational. Then you've got literal page-to-screen versions of graphic novels like 300, done poorly (made by the 'visionary' Zack Snyder). Then you've got films inspired by comic book characters like the X-Men and Spiderman. Some are good, some stink.
Comic books and graphic novels provide great sources for film. However. I still contend novels are better. Why? Novels provide the vision that can be adapted to the screen. Which means that the films adaptation of the novel will be judged for the content more than the visuals. Whereas a comic book/graphic novel film will be judged on the story and the visuals. Not to mention, the visuals of a graphic novel eliminate nearly all flexibility for the director to create their own interpretation on screen. Just look at 300. It's a panel for panel remake. Look at what they're trying to do with Watchmen. I get that it's gorgeous visual art, but it's still lifting the panel and putting it on screen.
Watch a film like Road To Perdition. That is the epitome of a graphic novel that is made unique and visualized nearly separate from the on paper content. In the end, it's a double edged sword no matter what. However, a good director turns his back to the crowd and applies their own vision to the content, makes it their own. That is what a good director does.
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