Rating: 
Summary: Unexpected Excellent Novelization
Review: I usually do not read book novelizations of movies because they turn out very inadequate and make the movie look bad. I liked Underworld so much that I decided to buy the book anyway. I read a lot of mediocre reviews, but I gave the book a try and I am not in the least bit disappointed. This book by Greg Cox is excellent. It follows every sequence in the movie and his usage of vocabulary makes the book all the better. His writing is very descriptive, but not to the point of boredom. I really like how he characterizes Selene and Kraven, who is not too detailed of a character in the movie. If I hadn't watched the movie first, I would probably think the book is better.For any vampire genre fans, read Underworld (as well as watch it)! It's an excellent book as well as sophisticated and descriptive. I am surprised that the book turned out so good; it's definitely surpassed my expectations. I can't wait for the second book and movie!!!
Rating:
Summary: surprisingly excellent novelization
Review: I usually don't bother with novelizations, as they are, by nature, little more than movie transcripts. But Greg Cox has taken a screenplay and turned it into a full-fledged novel. This isn't a classic for the ages, but Cox's "Underworld" is as good as the best high-end paperback original vampire novels. The writing is crisp and moves things along at a fast pace, filling in details without being obtrusive. Not having seen the movie yet, I can't vouch for it's quality; however, if you are a fan of vampire fiction, then I highly recommend checking out this novel.
Rating: 
Summary: An appealing read
Review: I went into reading this book long after seeing the movie. I must admit, it was not completely different than the movie, however I enjoyed the book more than the movie. I felt much closer to the characters than I did in the move, in addition, I felt the book answered some questions which I had after seeing the movie. If you enjoyed the movie, I definitely recommend reading the book. If you haven't seen the movie, read the book for fun, but only if you like action. A great fast read.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie: so-so book
Review: Now first of all, don't get me wrong. I am now reading this book for the 4th time. Not because of the writing, but because of the plot. Greg Cox did indeed write fine tale which helped flesh out the movie with strong characterzation of the players, except there are some grivences that I have. Like Erika. Why he chose to take a great manipulative, schemeing supporting character in the movie, and turn her into a simpering, annoying, brainless brat? He uses her over and over to show what a jerk Kraven is, when we know from the first time he appears in the book, he's a jerk. That's my first irk with Mr. Cox. My second problem I have with him is his actual writing style. This is why I only gave the book three stars. Oh my lord, could you please try and put a few more $10 words in, please? Bumbershoots? Franked? Perdition? Inauspicious nook? And that's only at the beginning. Through out the book he tries to show you how well he can do in Scrabble by throwing out words and phrases that I actually had to get up and hunt for a dictionary to find out what they meant. This type of writing really throws me off when I'm wanting to read a book. But I love the whole idea of a vampire/lycan war with the vampires being good, sort of. He really has a problem with overly done descritions as well. But he does have some good points that have had me reading this book so many times. Like I said, he has great characterization skills. He fleshes out Selene and Michael where the movie couldn't. We really get into their heads and get to examine what makes them them. His battle scenes are great and I like the way he treated the lycan ammo as painful to the vampires to even look at. The movie just really goes "They're special bullets, ho hum". And the love affair is developed in greater detail and passion than the movie does, as well. All in all, if you loved the movie, read the book. If you love vampire writing, it's a good read too. You just have to be VERY forgiving of Mr. Cox's writing style. A good trick is when you come across a disagreeable word or phrase, just change it in your mind to something less ponderous. It really helps. But all in all, I do enjoy the book evertime I read it. As long as you can get past the writing style, I think you will too.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie: so-so book
Review: Now first of all, don't get me wrong. I am now reading this book for the 4th time. Not because of the writing, but because of the plot. Greg Cox did indeed write fine tale which helped flesh out the movie with strong characterzation of the players, except there are some grivences that I have. Like Erika. Why he chose to take a great manipulative, schemeing supporting character in the movie, and turn her into a simpering, annoying, brainless brat? He uses her over and over to show what a jerk Kraven is, when we know from the first time he appears in the book, he's a jerk. That's my first irk with Mr. Cox. My second problem I have with him is his actual writing style. This is why I only gave the book three stars. Oh my lord, could you please try and put a few more $10 words in, please? Bumbershoots? Franked? Perdition? Inauspicious nook? And that's only at the beginning. Through out the book he tries to show you how well he can do in Scrabble by throwing out words and phrases that I actually had to get up and hunt for a dictionary to find out what they meant. This type of writing really throws me off when I'm wanting to read a book. But I love the whole idea of a vampire/lycan war with the vampires being good, sort of. He really has a problem with overly done descritions as well. But he does have some good points that have had me reading this book so many times. Like I said, he has great characterization skills. He fleshes out Selene and Michael where the movie couldn't. We really get into their heads and get to examine what makes them them. His battle scenes are great and I like the way he treated the lycan ammo as painful to the vampires to even look at. The movie just really goes "They're special bullets, ho hum". And the love affair is developed in greater detail and passion than the movie does, as well. All in all, if you loved the movie, read the book. If you love vampire writing, it's a good read too. You just have to be VERY forgiving of Mr. Cox's writing style. A good trick is when you come across a disagreeable word or phrase, just change it in your mind to something less ponderous. It really helps. But all in all, I do enjoy the book evertime I read it. As long as you can get past the writing style, I think you will too.
Rating:
Summary: Far Surpasses the Film
Review: Now, as much as I loved the film, it's nothing in comparison to the novelization. Though the characters here differ slightly from those in the film, I believe all Underworld fans should read this. Greg Cox' vocabulary is amazaing, and the way he describes each moment in the book makes me love the film even more. It does indeed contain a good deal more romance than the film, seemingly at no expense. The characters are far more fleshed out, due to the fact that you get to see their thoughts and emotions, rather than just struggle to decipher them from the actors expression. A must read for all Underworld fans.
Rating:
Summary: Unexpected Excellent Novelization
Review: O.k., this movie was flat-out five star. All I can say is "Houston, we have a franchise!", and hopefully a long lasting one too (I could really see this being added to the massive Alien/Predator/Terminator/Robocop crossover franchise). But, unfortunately, this book didn't live up to the standard. It was a good synopsis of the movie, but failed to include much extra (the only addition was a scene under a pier that must have been deleted, but I won't spoil that for you). Overall, if you liked the movie, get the book, if not, don't.
Rating:
Summary: A bit lacking...
Review: O.k., this movie was flat-out five star. All I can say is "Houston, we have a franchise!", and hopefully a long lasting one too (I could really see this being added to the massive Alien/Predator/Terminator/Robocop crossover franchise). But, unfortunately, this book didn't live up to the standard. It was a good synopsis of the movie, but failed to include much extra (the only addition was a scene under a pier that must have been deleted, but I won't spoil that for you). Overall, if you liked the movie, get the book, if not, don't.
Rating:
Summary: mediocre at best
Review: The book/movie has a great premise, a world where werewolves and vampires exist in a secret society. The werewolves tend to be the more dangerous to humans and the 'high-society' vampires (the werewolves are more like your trailer park trash and Hell's Angels types) hunt them. One of the vampires falls in love with a human turned werewolf (I can see Jessica Alba playing the vampire part, but they casted Kate Beckinsale; and Ewan MacGregor as our werewolf--they casted Scott Speedman, whoever that is)l There are some bright spots, but over all, it reads a bit amateurish. Now to be fair, this is a novelization of a movie (I haven't seen the movie) and they tend to be weak (except for Alan Dean Foster's novelizations of the Alien movies). What I wish is that this was an idea that a good writer had gotten, instead of Hollywood. This would make a great limited series, of say four or five books. But this is what we got, and I suppose it isn't bad for a novelization, but on the whole, it is weak. I'm not sure how the movie is, but I think you'd do better watchint it instead of reading it.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the time
Review: The movie is great without a doubt. This book is also. It has everything the movie does and more. Any questions that you have, or characters you want to get a firmer knowledge about, are problems easliy fixed with this book. Every setting is easy to visualize, and every character is easy to get a feel for.
The book adds some scenes, in-depth character description, and let's you know what is going on inside characters heads. There are many new fight scenes, which includes extended fight scenes in the sewer between the vampires and the lycans. My favorite thing about the book is the fact that every character you encounter, even if only for a couple pages, they are given a great description. Every character is made to be a vaulable part of the story.
Overall, this book is well written, quick to read, and a great telling of the movie. Whether you have or haven't seen the movie, this book is enjoyable, and worth the time it takes to read it.
|
