The Hogfather (2007)

Converted!

I've never read a Terry Pratchett book -- I know, blasphemy -- but my wife has been engulfed in the Discworld series for the past year or so. For her birthday, I purchased this DVD and we watched it together. Now I simply MUST read the books! Fantastic production values (especially for a made-for-TV movie) and terrific acting made for a good film, but it was the writing that was the highlight for me. Witty, touching, engrossing storytelling. This is a must-see movie not just for Discworld fans but for everyone. Far better than most of the big-budget films we see out of Hollywood. If you're on the fence, do yourself a favor and see this movie! You'll thank me later. August 3, 2008

Disappointing

I love every Terry Pratchett book I've ever read. They amuse while inspiring thought; a great combination in my opinion. So it is with regret I say I fell asleep watching this DVD.

The background music was constant, annoying and made it difficult to hear the dialogue. Somehow the witty dialogue in the book did not come alive
in the movie. I didn't laugh even once! The wizards were thin!

I fell asleep before I saw the whole thing. I will try to watch it again, all the way through, but at this point I cannot recommend it to anyone. That makes me sad. July 31, 2008

The Un-Christmas

This movie has taken on a daunting task: the visual rendering of a much-beloved book - what's worse, the much-beloved characters with lives in many other of Pratchett's books as well. Imaginative readers have already created images of their favorite (and not-so-favorite) characters, so tend towards outrage when the movie-makers "get it wrong." Well, poo on them.

The denizens of Pratchett's world have even more improbable character than the Flat Earth on which they reside, and its physics. There's Susan, for example, the governess who'll stare death in the eye, give him a sharp dressing down, and pick the lint off his cowl so he makes a good impression when making his rounds. Then there are the wizards, cloistered in the Unseen University. Think of it as a sheltered workshop for people who might not and dare not find employment elsewhere - if it weren't for five square meals a day and a steady stream of underclassmen to torment, who knows what they might do? Then there's Mr. Teatime (four syllables when you pronounce each vowel), the Assassin that makes the Guildmaster of the Assassins nervous.

I like Pratchett's books enough to know that something lost in the translation to movie format, especially all the asides and groanable cultural references that make each page of his books into such gems. And, I admit, Death never wholly came to life for me. And Nobbs, well, everyone has their own Nobbs, and this wasn't mine. (It wasn't my movie, either.) Look at Leonardo's paintings, though: he left his thumbprint in the paint, for crying out loud, and no one complains. If you want to pick nits, you'll pick them. If you want to enjoy, you'll enjoy. I enjoyed it.

-- wiredweird July 31, 2008

True Pratchett

I've been a Terry Pratchett fan for years, & had often thought what great film material Discworld would be, almost always thinking, "Yeah, but they'd almost certainly screw it up." Well, this time they didn't. Nuch of Discworld is necessarily not represented, but what is here is pretty much pitch-perfect Pratchett. It is light & fluffy & fun, and it has very sharp teeth. I adored it.

It is far from perfect. The plot is kind of hazy, I got tired of the villain's rather mannered performance, the fx are only about B level, etc. Minor quibbles.

Rave aside, I can't see how anyone not already familiar with Discworld would be anything but completely bewildered & confused by this. July 30, 2008

Love it!

I was first introduced to this movie from Netflix. They gave it to me as one they thought I might like. My wife love the Terry Pratchett books. I asked if she had heard of the it, so she handed me the copy she has. I told her there was a movie if Hogfather and so we rented it right away. We watched it and just loved it. So we had to buy it. The movie was aired on the BBC. Be aware it is 3 hours long and is a TV movie not a Theatrical released film. Very British humor, but so very clever. Terry Pratchett even makes an appearance. I wouldn't recommend it for the younger audience, because they might not get it. If you have a tween to teen, even if you're an adult I think you will enjoy it July 26, 2008

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