The Seeker: The Dark is Rising

So few stories translate from page to screen; however, this tragedy in translation does not lie within the story but in the over zealous screen writers biting off more than they can chew.  A great thing about books chosen for live action adaptation is they are already recognized, well written and successful stories that the masses love.  It is important to recognize these stories attain revered status because they are well written engaging stories.  Unfortunately, when screen writers attempt the translation of these beloved stories they often feel it is necessary to change, condense, enhance, embellish, omit or modify the story in some fashion.  This unexplained need to fix something that is not broken is typically the downfall of the screen adaptation. Susan Cooper’s series of children’s books The Dark Is Rising is yet another story falling prey to the Hollywood monster known as the screen writer.

The Dark is Rising is Susan Cooper’s second in a series of five books geared for more mature readers and youths.  It is the story of eleven year old Will Stanton, the Chosen One, and his quest to find the six signs that will help ward off the evil powers of the Dark.  Throughout his journey he has the help of the Old Ones, representatives of the Light, to help protect and guide him along the way.  Although they offer him assistance they do not know the answers and this is truly the story of a young boy moving from innocence and youth into knowledge and adulthood. It is a well written fantasy and two of the five books won prestigious awards.  Unfortunately, its screen adaptation falls short leaving the viewer unfulfilled in their quest for entertainment. 

The movie entitled The Seeker: The Dark is Rising lacks plot and character development.  This movie jumps from one isolated action pod to another without taking the time to cross the bridge connecting them.  Key elements, explained in the book and vital to the story’s development, are not given any focus in the movie.  One such element is the rising storm symbolic of the Dark’s growing power.  Its steady progression is a driving force behind the urgency in Will’s quest and important for key plot developments.  It is almost its own character which the movie practically ignores.  There is a suggestion of some inclement weather but no mention of how it is affecting anyone.  About the middle of the film this inclement weather becomes a raging hurricane leaving stores empty of supplies and homes without gas or food.  This convenient and trite way to get all the townspeople in one area so that Will can face his next challenge is the only link the movie storm has to the storm in the book.  This convenient screen writing omits all the explanatory elements of the story and as a result creates plot gaps leaving the viewer confused.   This writing also effects the character relationships and further degrades this great story.

Strong friendships and familial ties are vital elements in developing Will’s transition from innocence to knowledge.  As a book geared towards youth, there is a focus on the importance of team work and seeking help from others in times of need.  Merrimen is the wizened old sage and key guide for Will throughout his journey.  In times of trouble, he is the saving grace keeping Will from harm until he can learn his lessons to stand as a man.  When Will turns to him in the movie a brief scene leaves him feeling chastised and exiled by the only person he feels he can turn to.  This moment completely contradicts the great message Cooper delivers in her series.  Furthermore, Will’s connection to his family is vitally important; so much so, the Dark exploits this as a weakness.  The movie develops this by possessing Will’s brother and using him as a physical tool of the Dark.  Will defeats his possessed brother with a few punches and a simple speech about family love. This weak attempt does nothing to develop the family ties demonstrated in the books and mocks the values Cooper expresses throughout her tale.  With the loss of its values this movie becomes nothing more than a cheap Hollywood action movie.

When adapting a piece of literature for screen it is important to follow the existing story and show what has already been written.  The Seeker: The Dark is Rising does not do this at all.  It steals pieces of plot from the books and throws them on the screen for moments of action.  It devalues the powerful message of family and friends which the author carefully writes into her books leaving us with an empty and meaningless script.   Save your time and read the book, the film in your mind will be much better.