prkamm
I would like to hold out as a little ray of light amongst the sea of overwhelming negative reviews of the 2004 "Earthsea" miniseries. Yes, I have read LeGuin's "Earthsea" trilogy, and will gladly concede that there are some points of divergence between the books and this television adaptation. As with many things in life, however, all things are relative: this miniseries could have been much worse! The acting is passable, and I found it entertaining to watch, once I accepted that it wasn't going to be minutely faithful to the books. In short: it's a lot better than nothing for now. Watch it and enjoy it for what it is.If you want to see adaptations which have REALLY massacred the original literary plot, try watching (as much as you can stomach) the 2002 version of H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine". (The 1960 version comes highly recommended, however!) And for the worst ever sacrilege done to a sci-fi literary classic, check out 1998's "Nightfall". It's unfortunate that Isaac Asimov was still alive when that abomination came to light.
Jinn
WTF??!! I hope people who saw (and hated) this flick who have not read the books are not put off...Even though I have not read the books, even looking at the covers, they're better than this let down of a movie/series. I was really looking forward to it, despite a friend who told me this EarthSea version was truly heinous - I see what she means. Totally. And why my local video stores don't even carry it.I've seen the Japanese Anime version of EarthSea (which I loved though should have been longer) ... And that was better than this sorry attempt.Despite good acting efforts, effects, cinematography and action scenes, it was a big disappointment - devoid of any feeling or soul. It didn't stick true to what I already knew of the EarthSea saga. How in the Universe did they get this through Ursula Le Guin? Maybe they cast a spell on her? ... I hear she's denounced it. No wonder. Geb / Sparrowhawk's character was atrociously written, (not the actor's fault) ... like some immature, perpetually cranky, b!tchy lame a$$ Anakin Skywalker rip-off.However ... that said, the movie would have worked as an independent fantasy film / or mini series with different names and characters. EarthSea it is not.
ridiculionius
Yes, I am asking you to forget the books, as wonderful as they are. If you put aside the fact that the director almost seems to parody the Earthsea books (for all the movie relates to them), the film is actually enjoyable. The acting was only mediocre, even with such greats as Danny Glover and Isabella Rosselini to carry it (definitely not their best performances), the script was only mediocre, and, as it's a made-for-TV movie, the special effects were wanting. But, all in all, if you push the books from your mind, it's not that bad.Two things did annoy me quite a bit, however. Number 1: the changing of the title character's name. In the books, his birth name is Duny, his secret name is Ged, and his use-name is Sparrowhawk. In the movie, his birth name and use-name is Ged, while Sparrowhawk becomes his secret name. Duny doesn't even come into the picture.Number 2: Tenar and Ged don't kiss in the "Tombs of Atuan". It isn't until "Tenahu", the final book in the series, where both characters have aged significantly (Ged is quite old, and Tenar has been widowed and has had children that have grown up), that they do so.Overall, however, the movie is not a masterpiece but is quite fun and magical. It's only very loosely based on the books, so don't expect something approved by Ursula LeGuin herself. But, if you're interested in something for a simple Friday night flick, it's definitely something to consider.
kenner-3
The vibrancy and beauty of the Earthsea books is lost on this script. While the author has made a valiant attempt to combine the plots of the first two books of LeGuin's deservedly famous Earthsea series the changes he has made have weakened the story and diminished the character development. Some of the acting in the first few scenes is appalling bad, but stick with it as it gets better as it rolls along. If you are a special effects fan then you will be disappointed. Some of the SFX are rather crude and jarring. So if like me you are a fan of the books put your memory on hold and enjoy this charming unpretentious little tale which reproduces elements of the books and occasionally some of the dialogue. A lesser work but charming none the less.
AD
