2008-06-03 How not to write a novelization

Okay, I thought the movie itself was very good, not quite in the same class as the previous ones, but a very enjoyable film all round. Seeing this novelization was by James Rollins, an author I like very much, I was expecting an great book, full of insights into the characters and extra background detail fleshing out the story and giving it added depth. Instead, what Rollins has delivered is a very basic, bog-standard adaptation of the script with virtually nothing extra added to it. It's basically just like reading a script with 'he said, she said' and some basic descriptions. It's a very turgid, uninspiring read that feels totaly flat and pointless.You'll learn nothing new reading this if you've seen the movie. Check out the novelization of Temple of Doom by James Khan - that's how a novelization should be written. Avoid this and just watch the film instead.