The Dark Tower: Stephen King's Novel's Brought to Life

"For centuries, the gunslingers were knights. Sworn to protect this from the coming of the dark. Now I'm the only one left" - Roland Deschain.

A few days ago with my girlfriend and some of our friends, we took in a showing of Nikolaj Arcel's film version of Stephen King's "The Dark Tower" series. Starring Idris Elba as Roland Deschain (the last of the Gunslinger's), with Tom Taylor as Jake Chambers (the boy who aids Roland in his mission to protect the Tower) and Matthew McConaughey as Walter Padick/ The Man in Black (the man who would destroy the Tower and rule over all). Despite not having read 'The Dark Tower' series myself (yet), I found the movie to be very enjoyable, with an excellent cast, story, and special effects and a strong theme of never giving up.

The story itself is a mash-up, a weaving together of elements from the first seven of the eight books in 'The Dark Tower' series. While for many fans who may take issue with this because it can lead to beloved characters being dropped and 7 whole books being put together for an 95 minute movie, this is still a very enjoyable science fantasy western. If anything, for people who haven't read the books before (like myself) it only encourages them to go out and actually read them. 

Casting wise, the three principal characters were dead on. Idris Elba IS Roland Deschain, a man of conviction and strong ideals who has been shaken by the war against Walter Padick, yet still continues on against seemingly impervious odds. Tom Taylor, who is a newcomer to the movie industry, is well cast as Jake, a boy with spirit who keeps dreaming of Roland, The Man in Black, the Tower and the destruction that will come with its fall. 

Matthew McConaughey would not have been my first choice as Walter Padick (he has never struck me as the villainous type) but after seeing his performance, that mindset has been eliminated. His smooth voice, which has aided his many roles in the past a more cheerful and heroic figures, aids him again, this time helping bring such a dark figure to life. With a honey like tone that sounds pleasing to the ear but brings with it death and the promise of chaos should he succeed in destroying the Tower.

The special effects were marvelous. Bringing to life Mid-World, a place not unlike Earth but that has fallen into decay and fractured chaos, the gates that allow travel between the various world (very excellent, makes one think of how a rip in space and time would like, but controlled). And lastly there's Walter's dark magic which he uses with such willful malice, coupled with the device with which he plans to destroy the Tower. It was all quite simply, awesome. 

With the theme of never giving up, movie goers can really latch on to the character's of Roland and Jake. Jake is set to not give up in his quest to prove that his dreams are real, and then his determination to help Roland stop Walter and save all life. Roland, his purpose and goal of not giving up is skewed at first. Initially, his mission or quest is one of vengeance against Walter, it is only after meeting Jake and seeing the boys youthful ambition and desire to help does he get out of his "funk" and knuckle down to finally bring about the end of Padick's mad campaign of destruction. This is something for people to take to heart, that even when the odds are seemingly against someone, one can still pull themselves up and make a firm stand. 

The Dark Tower was a intense, story driven and action packed summer film. Fans of both 'The Dark Tower' books and other Stephen King film adaptations will enjoy the mashing of plots into one synchronistic story. With it also brings the promise of a TV series (with Elba and Taylor slated to return to their roles of Roland and Jake. So for Even the most die hard of Dark Tower fans, this movie brings a lot with it, not just on the big screen but also with the promise of more adventure on the small screen as well. A resounding 5 out of 5 stars goes to The Dark Tower with the encouragement that anyone who has not seen it yet needs to, you won't regret it one bit.