Which One do You Choose? Novels or Movies (Muntiara Grasia P)

Nowadays, it is not difficult to find many movies that are produced based on best-seller novels. We can mention many examples like the seven series of Harry Potter, the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings, Twilight and other series, etc. Following that phenomenon, many comments and critics appear and affect society. Some people prefer to watch movies rather than to read novels. But, there are also some people who enjoy reading novels better than watching movies. However, to me, reading novels is preferable and beneficial compare to watching movies.

Firstly, unlike watching movies, reading novels give us a complete visualization about the atmosphere and physical appearance of the characters. In writing novels, the writers are free to write as many details as they want. There are also no limitataion at all, so that the readers are given so many details related to the story itself. We can also mention many details like time and place settings, backgrounds of the story, physical appearance of the characters, etc. Next, we are also given an opportunity to get a clearer visualization about other things which sometimes failed to be presented in the movies. In contrast to reading novels, watching movies allow us to have a concrete picture because we already get a fixed image about many things inside the story. But then, again, it is not a fixed guarantee that we can enjoy watching movies better than reading novels. The next reason is that reading novels can give more benefit to the readers. By reading, in this case novels, the readers can activate both left and right brains, while when watching movies they only activate their right brain. Based on that reason, I believe that it is more beneficial to read novels than watch movies.

Secondly, even though both novels and movies present the same stories, novels offer a more exciting plot for the reader. As mentioned on paragraph above, there are no limitation for the writers of the novels to explore as many details as they want. In contrast to that, in producing some movies, the producer and director are confined by many aspects; like the duration of the movies, budget, society's demand or even society's norms and rules. We can take an example about the limitation of the movie's duration. Usually movies last for an hour and a half up to two hours. It is not allowed for them to produce movies with duration more than two hours. One of the reasons is that the viewers of the movies will feel bored and not appreciate the movies well. So it is also another reason why sometimes we find that there are some parts in the novels are missing in the movies. Another reason is that because readers are free to finish it anytime they want. People will be more free in enjoying the story. Reading novels can give us pleasure and excitement in continuing reading. Sometimes we are curious to read it on and on. In contrast to this, it sometimes happens that some parts of the stories in the movies can be guessed easily before we finish watching it. So, I believe that reading novels is more enjoyable compare to watching movies.

Thirdly, whereas movies need an expensive budget, novels offer a cheaper budget on the process of producing the story. As a matter of fact, in producing some movies, there are so many details that have to be visualized perfectly, such as the settings of place, tools used by the characters and also costums of the characters. We can take one example is about the setting of the place. Sometimes it is difficult to find or even build the setting of the place in the story. It also happens that the crews have to travel around the world in order to have a place as valid as the setting in the novels. Next, it is also difficult to expose some segments of the stories that need a special characteristic, like a segment of fighting. It will need a lot of special effects in order to expose the real fighting so that it will not expensively cost. Next, it also needs so many equipments and people who are responsible in that process. In contrast to that, in the process of producing the novels, the writers only need papers and computers. They can also write it everywhere. Based on those reasons, I believe that it will be more beneficial to produce novels rather than movies, because it will save a lot of money.

In conclusion, I believe that we all agree that reading novels offer more advantages for us. Firstly, we can get a more complete visualization about the settings and the physical appearance of the characters. Next, we are also able to enjoy a more exciting plot. Lastly, it will also save much money. Based on those advantages, I suggest you to read novels rather than watch movies.