Movies provide better story-telling than books

Caleb Hilliard, Entertainment Editor

One of the most common arguments among fans of large franchises is whether the book or movie is better. The two are nearly on equal ground.

Books allow for more freedom of imagination and are linked to the improving of intelligence, but movies are more visually impressive and provide a greater chance to socialize with others.

From a social standpoint, movies are better. Few people go on dates or hang out with friends to read the next philosophical page turner about another dystopian future. If someone is watching a movie at home,  they have the chance to discuss it and enjoy it at the same time as those around them, rather than risking spoilers or unrealistically trying to read at the exact same pace as somebody else.

However, sometimes literature can be better depending on one’s enjoyment of extra details, or their imagination compared to that of the director’s.

Some movies can destroy what was good about the books, such as the Percy Jackson films, which were not good due to the drastically different story and less than impressive characters.

There is also a matter of how different the two mediums are. A book cannot pull off the scenery and music of the Harry Potter films. At the same time, a movie cannot pull off the unique writing, pacing, and perspective of a book series like Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Movies have the advantage because they have elements of music, visuals, and angles, and lots of things that can be pulled off in a film better than a reader’s mind.

When everyone puts effort into the story, writing, and presentation, movies are easily superior to books.

In an age where technology is becoming greater, the extent to which people can become immersed in visual entertainment will likely surpass that of literature very soon.