Book vs movie (obvious spoilers)

Being a lifelong Arnold fanboy I of course saw it's on screen adaptation first. It wasn't until many years later that I read the book and was surprised at how different they were from each other. The film's more humorous in tone and dystopian concepts are watered down by comparison. More akin to a game show, where contestants have to fight for their lives as they're being chased around by "stalkers" in an open world arena. Coupled with a Bob Barker clone 😁

The book on the other hand is far bleaker. The country's economy is so severe. That lower class citizens have to willingly participate in these snuff shows. Out of sheer financial desperation. The book is comparable to "America's Most Wanted". They make up some bullshit backstory that the protagonist is a high profile criminal on the run from the law. And whom authorities have been given clearance to execute on sight. The point of the game is to flee across the country and survive long enough to collect the grand prize.

I can understand why changes were made. There are some scenes from the book that wouldn't be allowed on film. Like the vision Richard has of his daughter hookering herself for money, his dream of some kid being tortured for helping him, his liberal usage of the "N word".

Makes me wonder which direction they'll go with the remake.