Review of The Kite Runner (2007) by Magnus W — 23 Jul 2010

I actually read the book first, okay listened to the audiobook on an iPod, before watching the film so having my own visualisation of how it should look and be foretold was quite crucial for making this film enjoyable to me.

Visually it was great and a lot of what I had imagined from reading the book, although where the disappointment entailed was with the novels plot been portrayed in the films plot. I did easily notice that key details and parts of the original story had either been omissed or completely new details added in the film adaptation which were quite frankly disappointing but if these were cut/added due to length times, subject matter etc it is understandable but I would've prefered the film to have stayed true to the book as much as possible but generally speaking it did a good job of it and it was good seeing a visual translation of chapters.

The film itself was very well shot showing vast locations and lots of colour with a small but spectacular cgi scene, with the kites flying, if not just a little bit exagerated in terms of realism. I also thought the acting was very solid from the cast all round but espescially the young child actors portraying Ali and Hassan.

The film does start to drag a little from around mid way all the way to the near end and I did think the ending was a little rushed but all in all this is a very good film to watch about redemption.