Kelly Barker

Of course a movie doesn't have to be exactly like the book to have merit and stand alone, but this version of Fahrenheit 451 falls completely flat. I had some hope in the beginning because the book's message is just as suitable, if not more so, in today's society. But, to be honest, I had to stop watching it. I find myself doing this more often these days. I really wanted to see a society so addicted to consumerism that people become callous and impersonal; I wanted to see the results of this on Montag and Millie's relationship and how it made him so lonely, frustrated and confused; I wanted to see how the innocence of youth can transform even the hardest of men, awaken them and lead them on a journey of self discovery, and I really wanted to see the badass mechanical hound in action, since it's possible to produce realistic depictions of these kinds of imaginary tech/creatures these days. Instead I got a woke version of Clarisse - older and world weary, who seemed to 'know it all', instead of the innocent girl questioning everything and fully experiencing the natural world. And I got a two dimensional boring version of Montag, who I never fully connected with as a protagonist. I guess if you've never read the book, you might think this movie is okay. But having read and actually understood the book... I'm baffled and disappointed in the choices made here.