Flash over accuracy

Maybe I was expecting more pertinent details from the book (since I did read the book and this is one of my faves in the series) to come to life on screen, instead there was a bit too much Hollywood flash. Of course one never expects films based on novels to be 'exact,' but when there is so much great material in the book to be explored, it's beyond foolish to simply make stuff up and add scenes that never would have happened. I've invested emotions and time in the series of books & films, and have enjoyed exploring Harry Potter's character ---it's disappointing when a director decides to take important traits that make a character who he is and alters them. Like having Harry stand by 'willingly' as he watches his mentor and 'father-figure' get murdered. That's something I never imagined he would do.

That said...given time, and after watching the last two yet to be released in the film series, I may soften my opinion. Right now this is my least favorite of the movie series...but nothing is ever carved in stone when it comes to entertainment. I'm willing to give it another (slender) chance on review when it comes out on DVD.

I'd heartily recommend ANY Dean Koontz book, but this one is my latest favorite.

For me, this book was gripping, suspenseful and an absolutely great story to escape from the boredom of a courtroom. It relates the story of Chris Snow, a man afflicted with xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare and often-fatal genetic disease that makes ultraviolet rays-even those from lamps and televisions-deadly. His condition makes him a pariah in the isolated small town of Moonlight Bay where the ignorant and insensitive fear what they do not know. As the action begins, Snow's father dies, leaving him with only a handful of offbeat but fiercely loyal friends to turn to for understanding. At the morgue, Snow accidentally witnesses his father's body being replaced with the mutilated corpse of a vagrant. Before he can find out what is behind this scandal, he receives a frantic summons from a friend who is brutally murdered before she can finish explaining a strange story about monkeys and a secret project at the government compound at the edge of town. What begins as a disturbing puzzle quickly becomes a sinister conspiracy as Snow uncovers evidence of uncanny intelligence in many of the local animals and inhumanely vicious tendencies in some of the human residents of the Bay. They are "becoming" he learns, but becoming what? Chilling chase scenes steadily increase the breakneck pace as Snow, assisted by his remarkable dog, Orson, is pursued through the night by unseen forces. A very good read!