I am an avid reader. Nowadays, I like to read political essays, crime books, artsy/indie books and stories, and poetry. However, at one time in my life, the only thing I read was YA realistic fiction and romance. I have read every John Green book that there is, including his combined work with Dan Wakefield. In addition to this, I have also seen all four of the film adaptations that have come from his books. With that, I know which ones are my favorite and which one I would rather not watch… like, ever again. Without further ado, here is my ranking of the John Green film adaptations.
4. Paper Towns (2015)
Coming in last place is Paper Towns. Now, I loved this book. This is easily my second favorite book that John Green has written. I was so excited for this movie, but I was hugely let down. First, let me state, Cara and Nat did a fantastic job. Their acting is what made this movie watchable. However, in many ways, this movie did not capture the overarching themes and ideas that the book had. The connections were not apparent, there was so much that I was longing for. There were characters that didn’t make more than a cameo, but were huge in the book. Overall, it just did not capture the book as a whole. It was scripted in a way that we needed more. It just was not Paper Towns by John Green and that was just disappointing.
3. Let It Snow (2019)
For number 3, I am putting Let it Snow here. While this book was not only by John Green, it still has his name tied to it. This is in the number 3 position not because it was bad, I just think the next two are better. I think Netflix did a great job at bringing this book to life. They encapsulated the characters and their stories and did a great job for this being a film and not a TV show. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. I would definitely watch this again sometime. It brought Let it Snow to some sort of justice!
2. Looking for Alaska (2019)
Coming in at number 2 is Looking for Alaska. Now, I was so nervous for this to come out. This was the first adaptation announced since Paper Towns in 2015. However, I was not disappointed at all. Looking for Alaska is one of my favorite books of all time, let alone my favorite from John Green. When I watched this, I watched it all in one day. I loved every second of this show. Not to mention, I am so happy it was a show. There is no way that one could have created Alaska Young in an hour and a half. There is just no way. Kristine Forseth was the perfect Alaska and everyone else cast was perfect for their part. It was happy, it was sad, it was funny, it was everything the book was. The only reason it was in second place is because even though it was a TV show, and they had eight full hours to do this book justice, sometimes the emotion was just lost in what was going on. Part of the reason I love the book is because I can feel everything Miles was going through. However, I was sometimes lost in the shuffle during the show. Not to mention, sometimes, the most important scenes were cut short to make it more dramatized. Overall, the show is brilliant. 10/10 recommend. I just wish there would have been a tiny bit more, but maybe that is my high expectations talking.
1, The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
Rounding out our list at the number 1 spot is The Fault in our Stars. Honestly, this movie is perfection. While not everything from the book was included in this film, but they did not miss a single important part. It was like reading the book all over again. Ansel and Shailene made Augustus and Hazel come to life in a way that I could never be upset with. The emotion that movie brings is incredible and the acting was spot on. They even found a way to bring Gus and Isaac’s friendship to a high place, which I was worried they would not. Even though I have seen this movie 100 times, read the book at least three times and know what happens, I cry every time I watch. I do not think that there will be a better John Green adaptation than this one. It is perfect and I love it so much. Even in its short time, they found a way to bring the characters to life and make it so enjoyable.
That is my list! This is my ranking of John Green film adaptations. Most of the time, I have been pleased with them. I think most of the time, the writers found ways of working the emotion that Green puts into the books and making them pictures. Hopefully, if more come, they are all as good as 1 & 2!
Featured image from https://www.johngreenbooks.com/
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