Destroying a Classic - Walden Media's Dark is Rising

As a child, Susan Cooper's books were some of the most captivating works I read . . . and the best by far was The Dark is Rising. Over the years I've fantasized about how it would translate to the big screen (I personally imagined it opening with Will's brother finding the 'mask' at the Jamaican bazaar). Walden Media (with Fox) bought the rights to the work and appear to have utterly destroyed it.

The movie hasn't been released yet, but a trailer is available here. Based on the trailer, it's obvious that the film adaptation updates the setting from a tranquil British village (essential to Cooper's vision), where horses, tramps and deep snowfall seem completely in keeping with the setting, to an American (California!?) suburban nightmare completely at odds with the story (both in fact and spirit). The thoughtful, articulate and troubled character of Will appears to have been reduced to an "awesome!" spewing , spiky haired, mall shopping, suburban brat more concerned with whether he can fly or not, than the responsibilities of minding a country house (or at least some chickens) and the subtle, changing relationships that make up a family (let alone the responsibilities that come with being an Old One).

It's a shame to see this come from Walden who did such a nice job with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I WON'T be plonking down any money to see this bastardization of one of my favorite childhood stories.

Klobuchar update: Senator Klobuchar has issued a statement on her FISA vote! info here.

UPDATE: been reading some blogs, apparently the character of Will is an American in ENGLAND. There's a good (and considerable)collection of the unfortunate decisions made in this "adaptation" here