Lacks The Character Development Of King's Novella
Added 9/6/2009
In the novella "The Body" written by Stephen King that this film is based upon, a group of boys set out to find a local dead body, and end up finding more out about themselves than anything. Along the way, master wordsmith King is able to develop each and every character to a point where readers can really care for or sympathize with their problems or successes.
In this film version, "Stand By Me", though, that incredible character development is lacking. I realize I am a bit "tainted", as I know what I was missing, but suffice it to say that after the novella experience, the film just seemed to lack that extra "oomph" to turn it into any sort of classic.
Of course, I probably am expecting the impossible in this situation, as director Rob Reiner likely did everything he could to develop four very different young men in the span of only 88 minutes, but just that limitation alone drags the story down a bit. Whereas King (as he is known to do) can, in a very in-depth fashion, probe the personal lives of each of his characters, Reiner is restricted to a series of flashbacks that just don't have the same emotional connection with the viewer as King does with the reader.
Now, don't get me wrong...I don't think that this is a bad film by any stretch of the word. If you have not read the novella, I think you might be inclined to give it another star in the rating column (don't expect "classic" status, though). However, if you (like I was) are looking for faces to be put to King's classic characters, locations, and themes, then you will likely be a bit disappointed, as "Stand By Me" fails to carry that mantra like some others have (including "The Shawshank Redemption", a classic movie based on a story in the same collection as "The Body").
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Awesome!!!!
Added 7/19/2009
The movie "Stand By Me" was a film based off the novel by Stephen King known as "The Body." But for all who have seen it, you may notice it doesn't seem like the Stephen King type, I mean compare it to "The Shining" or "It," this is a family flick with an R rating. I mean don't get me wrong, it's got a lot of adult content throughout the film like Chris (River Phoenix) swiping a loaded gun from his wasted dad, Ace (Kiefer Sutherland) almost stabbing Chris in the throat, Gordie (Wil Wheaton) threating to shoot Ace with the gun, the kids smoking, most of the characters constantly muttering bad swears, you know the rest. The part that most of the viewers out there including I, made us pee our pants was the train scene which Teddy (Corey Feldman) declares "the all-time train dodge." Aw, Speaking of Teddy I love that little guy! He's not afraid of nothin', he wasn't afraid to cross an old 100 foot bridge, he wasn't afraid to dodge an on-coming train, and he almost joined the army, what an awesome dude. And Vern (Jerry O' Connell) a little chubby kid who is afraid of everything, unlike Teddy. If you must know the plot it's about 4 12 year olds who set out to find a dead body and bring it back and become heroes. The emotional scenes make you realize that they have horrible lives in a small town, and by the end, you feel glad that they get out of their town. And if I could add a new scene it would be the boys encounter a vicious animal like a wolverine or a coyote and the grab the gun and blow it away. Oh well the rest of the movie was very entertaining! The set up to when the boys find the missing corpse keeps you anticipating it. Complete with a terrific music score which you may recognize from George Lucas's classic "American Graffiti." So overall, it's a great movie, so definitely see it, if you have it. If you don't then rent it, buy it, it's worth it! RIP River Phinoex :)
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Good Coming of Age Movie for Boys
Added 7/12/2009
I bought this movie for my hubby for Father's Day this year because he loved it as a kid. He has now seen it with our 2 boys who are 3 and 5 a couple times. The boys like it because your in search of a dead bod, but as they get older they will get the whole growing up part of it as well.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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"Stand by Me"--a must-see!!!
Added 4/29/2009
I ordered the DVD of the movie, "Stand By Me". I had seen this movie in the theater, back in the '80s, with my sister, Eva Cassidy---the wonderful singer who died in 1996 from cancer......
Eva and I LOVED this movie, and us watching it together in the theater is a wonderful memory I will have forever.......
This movie delves deeply into the hearts, minds, and souls of these youngsters. It is at times funny, and then heart-breaking, and most people who watch this movie will recall their own childhoods.
This movie is one you will want to watch again and again, which is why I bought the DVD in the first place!
This movie was directed by Rob Reiner, and was based on a story by Stephen King--need I say more?!!!
Buy this for yourself--you will not be disappointed!
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Nostalgia, almost...
Added 4/5/2009
I'm a baby-boomer that has seen and enjoyed this movie many times. I have read a number of reviews complaining about the profanity of the four boys. I lived for over 20 years across the street from a grade school and, believe me, boys that age (and even younger) DO enjoy tossing profanity around when teachers or adults aren't around, and many of them are quite adept at smoking cigarettes, too. (In this day and age, little girls are just as likely to do so.) Back in the 50's, though, I can't recall hearing boys or girls using the f-bomb as these kids did in the movie. That word didn't gain popularity until later...Just an observation.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Lacks The Character Development Of King's Novella
Added 9/6/2009
In the novella "The Body" written by Stephen King that this film is based upon, a group of boys set out to find a local dead body, and end up finding more out about themselves than anything. Along the way, master wordsmith King is able to develop each and every character to a point where readers can really care for or sympathize with their problems or successes.
In this film version, "Stand By Me", though, that incredible character development is lacking. I realize I am a bit "tainted", as I know what I was missing, but suffice it to say that after the novella experience, the film just seemed to lack that extra "oomph" to turn it into any sort of classic.
Of course, I probably am expecting the impossible in this situation, as director Rob Reiner likely did everything he could to develop four very different young men in the span of only 88 minutes, but just that limitation alone drags the story down a bit. Whereas King (as he is known to do) can, in a very in-depth fashion, probe the personal lives of each of his characters, Reiner is restricted to a series of flashbacks that just don't have the same emotional connection with the viewer as King does with the reader.
Now, don't get me wrong...I don't think that this is a bad film by any stretch of the word. If you have not read the novella, I think you might be inclined to give it another star in the rating column (don't expect "classic" status, though). However, if you (like I was) are looking for faces to be put to King's classic characters, locations, and themes, then you will likely be a bit disappointed, as "Stand By Me" fails to carry that mantra like some others have (including "The Shawshank Redemption", a classic movie based on a story in the same collection as "The Body").
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Awesome!!!!
Added 7/19/2009
The movie "Stand By Me" was a film based off the novel by Stephen King known as "The Body." But for all who have seen it, you may notice it doesn't seem like the Stephen King type, I mean compare it to "The Shining" or "It," this is a family flick with an R rating. I mean don't get me wrong, it's got a lot of adult content throughout the film like Chris (River Phoenix) swiping a loaded gun from his wasted dad, Ace (Kiefer Sutherland) almost stabbing Chris in the throat, Gordie (Wil Wheaton) threating to shoot Ace with the gun, the kids smoking, most of the characters constantly muttering bad swears, you know the rest. The part that most of the viewers out there including I, made us pee our pants was the train scene which Teddy (Corey Feldman) declares "the all-time train dodge." Aw, Speaking of Teddy I love that little guy! He's not afraid of nothin', he wasn't afraid to cross an old 100 foot bridge, he wasn't afraid to dodge an on-coming train, and he almost joined the army, what an awesome dude. And Vern (Jerry O' Connell) a little chubby kid who is afraid of everything, unlike Teddy. If you must know the plot it's about 4 12 year olds who set out to find a dead body and bring it back and become heroes. The emotional scenes make you realize that they have horrible lives in a small town, and by the end, you feel glad that they get out of their town. And if I could add a new scene it would be the boys encounter a vicious animal like a wolverine or a coyote and the grab the gun and blow it away. Oh well the rest of the movie was very entertaining! The set up to when the boys find the missing corpse keeps you anticipating it. Complete with a terrific music score which you may recognize from George Lucas's classic "American Graffiti." So overall, it's a great movie, so definitely see it, if you have it. If you don't then rent it, buy it, it's worth it! RIP River Phinoex :)
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Good Coming of Age Movie for Boys
Added 7/12/2009
I bought this movie for my hubby for Father's Day this year because he loved it as a kid. He has now seen it with our 2 boys who are 3 and 5 a couple times. The boys like it because your in search of a dead bod, but as they get older they will get the whole growing up part of it as well.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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