The movie makes Swagger a bitter loner, like the book, whereas he's a committed family man on the TV series. Both take his character into a more modern times but in addition Agent Memphis has been changed to a woman in the series. There's also age differences of the leading characters since Isaac Johnson is Swagger's peer and not an older man like the movie.
The book is definitely darker than both since it begins with mercenaries who originally contact Bob Lee to recruit him as opposed to his old comrade asking for help.
There's been tactical changes in the series like Swagger's exact injuries and fight scenes. The series is the only one to see him arrested at the beginning and escaping. Overall, neither is exactly faithful to the book but Stephen Hunter, the author, has given both his blessing. All three mediums, book/film/series exist in different arenas and must be adapted to serve them.
You didn't ask, but I think the series is better than the movie. All of its changes make the story more compelling to modern audiences, plus it has high production values and great acting all around.
It's not what a movie is about, it's how it is about it.
RIP Roger Ebert
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vladdx
8 years ago
I don't agree, I think the TV series would've been much more interesting and successfull if it followed the book more closely. Like you said, having the mysterious RamDyne group contact and play Swagger slowly with sniping scenarios and awaken his secret desires would've been much more enticing than what they did in both the movie and TV Series. I understand why they did it in the movie where time is quite limited, but a tv series doesn't have that problem and it's all about sniping after all.
Also, it would've been really awesome to have had that scene like in the book where Swagger even injured jumps from a window and after landing directly in front of Memphis, he uses a judo reversal to takedown and disarm Memphis and then take his/her gun and steals the car. Lastly, let's not forget how boring they made the scene where he fakes his death compared to how great was done in the book.
Having said that, it's a decent show but nothing special.
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aGuiltySoul
8 years ago
To each their own. I like the TV series.
It's not what a movie is about, it's how it is about it.
RIP Roger Ebert
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jbluu
8 years ago
Thanks so much for your input @aGuiltySoul and @vladdx. I asked because i was thinking of picking up the books off of Amazon. I'm kinda waiting for the end of season 1 before I get them, otherwise I will just read it and spoil the rest of the season. So far I have to agree with @aGuiltySoul, I think I like the tvshow better. I watched the movie again recently and I found all the characters really 2 dimensional and over the top. Everyone including movie-Swagger are cartoon caricatures of actual human beings, I felt like I was watching Expendables with only one action hero. So far I feel the tvshow is a solid 7/10. Good but not great.
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garnerphils
8 years ago
I have problems with the series, not the least of which is the idea that Johnson (why keep that name from the movie, which never appears in the book?) would betray Swagger AND not advise that his skills are a direct threat to their scheme. It just doesn't ring true. And the distortion of the spotter's wife/mother, again, missed the mark. Plus, the suicide rig was used book & movie on Memphis, not the cop Timmons. Also, I missed the episode (will attempt to catch up) but how did Swagger fake the serial number of his artificial hip? Book Swagger needed only swap dental records.
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MariMcCabe
8 years ago
would betray Swagger AND not advise that his skills are a direct threat to their scheme.
I recall he did make mention of that. In one episode Payne even goes "Hey you picked him not me" at one point.
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jbluu
8 years ago
@garnerphils What did you mean by distortion of the spotter's wife/mother?
He faked the serial number on the hip joint by asking Tony George(nfl player turned actor) to do him a favor at the VA hospital.
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aGuiltySoul
8 years ago
If you are not current with the episodes and/or not paying attention, I can see why you have problems with the series. That admission unfavorably colors your criticism.
It's not what a movie is about, it's how it is about it.
RIP Roger Ebert
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