vicki736
I felt the need to remind a lot of the reviewers that this is to be a television programme not a movie franchise.I was a bit disheartened when I watched the pilot as doing a whole book in one episode has sort of rushed the whole Lena/Alex falling in love plot, I totally agree with the reviews of this side of things. I think what they are trying to do is work away from the book with this and explore things the book doesn't. With television you can do this as you have a lot of episodes and seasons to do this and can last a long time. I do think they could have done the first book over a few more episodes to develop characters and plot more.People have said that they not sticking to the story - with television they more or less will always change major aspects of a story and characters, Game of Thrones, under the dome and Vampire Diaries do this a lot, Vampire diaries dramatically so.I think I would need to see where they take this before I can give a better opinion, but if you are watching based on the book you will be disappointed, but it does have the power to go much further than the book could.
Amari-Sali
WIGS is a web station which has a sole focus of having women in leading roles, well for the most part white women, but it has to be said that most of their programming certainly does force the idea that just because something is web based, it doesn't mean it is an inferior product. Especially when compared to something which traditionally would premiere on TV. Delirium is no different for while it does seem like a CW show, or maybe one of ABC Family's weaker offerings back when The Secret Life of the American Teenager was their biggest hit, it nonetheless surely has an audience. Topic 1: A Loveless Society – Lena & HannahSometime in the future love has seemingly become taboo and banished from a person's emotions when they are 18. Up until then, everything, in school anyway, is separate. Boy have classes with boys and girls have classes with girls, and then when you are 18 you lose the ability to develop love for someone and are paired off. Needless to say, this seems less than ideal, but in their world it solves so many problems.For example, heartache, and the violence which can come with it, seems to be eliminated. For example, Lena's (Emma Roberts) mother killed herself upon being told her husband died, thus leaving Lena to be raised by her older sister and husband. However, just because people are taught to avoid love like it is cooties, it doesn't mean girls don't get giddy over the prospect of who the government will arrange their spouse to be. Lena's best friend Hannah (Jeanine Mason), for example, is skittish and worries over who her husband is to be. Though, lucky for her, she ends up getting the son of a senator.Topic 2: Those in Power – ThomasA group known as DFA, a major supplier of the Deliria prevention drug, is ran by Thomas Fineman (Billy Campbell). A man who seems solely invested in the treatment of Deliria due to his heart being broken by a young lady named Sunny when he was a teenager. But while he may tout the end of the plague, which is love, as being something good, and a nationwide issue, he is a slight hypocrite. Which I say solely because not only does he have banned literature and music in his study, which inspire feelings of love, but also still holds onto a picture of Sunny, the girl who broke his heart. All of which is discovered by his son Julian (Gregg Sulkin) who has yet to be vaccinated, and may not be able to due to a low white blood cell count. Though if Thomas had his way, he would never mind what the doctors say and make sure his son got vaccinated. Something which may have to be done soon since Julian seems to be a bit of a voyeur with Hannah being a prime target.Topic 3: The Resistance – Lena & AlexHowever, Hannah isn't the only target of someone, or should I say something, on the show. Lena is a target as well, but more so of the resistance movement. You see, very much like The Giver there is a fence, or wall, which separates those being controlled and those who are not. Something Thomas worries about especially when the resistance movement attacks his facility and steals documents. Leading to why Thomas and Senator Hargrove (Michael Michele) meet. For his 5 million DFA members, all he wants it the ability to search people's homes without a warrant. Something he gets.What he doesn't realize though is that the resistance has infiltrated his armed forces, as well as the senator's staff. As for why Lena matters in all this? Well her father, the would-be dead Conrad Holoway, was a major player in creating the Deliria cure. But, from what we learn of the resistance members, it seems he realized how destructive the cure was so he decided to try to reverse its effects. Due to this, not only was he locked away, but his family was told he died. However, with his escape comes a 2nd chance for the end of the Deliria cure and Lena is the key to finding Conrad for they expect him to come looking for her.Thus leading to them sending Alex (Daren Kagasoff) in to romance her and bring her beyond the fence. For with his position as a cop he has a wide range of movement and, with him being young and attractive, I'm sure they figure him a better operative than someone who could try to convince her with words alone. And damn if he not only befriends Lena, and makes her feel the emotion of love, but to seal her fate he delivers a nice ole' kiss on the girl.Unfortunately for Lena though, when she decides to have a moment with Hannah and share her feelings, it backfires. Hannah tells Lena's older sister, her sister calls the cops, and Lena is almost forced into getting the Deliria cure. That is until Alex rams the cop's car and saves Lena, though at the sacrifice of himself. Leading me to wonder if Alex is going to be punished, or try to play as if he couldn't keep control of her.Either way, I got to admit this was kind of a boring show. Roberts just doesn't make for a good lead in this "I have been lied to my whole life" type of story, and none of the characters, whether hero, villain, or in between, really get your attention in this pilot. Making me wonder if the book this is based off of is any better.
Saskia Matthewson
I have never written a review for a movie or a book, but after seeing this movie I just had to put my two cents in for obvious reasons... I read Delirium by Lauren Oliver at the beginning of the year. I must say never once had I cried so much after reading a book, nor had I ever been moved to the point of actually making a Tshirt with the slogan in honor of a book, just to keep the memory alive! I know some of you may be thinking, that's a bit rad... But if you have read the book, then you won't think I am utterly insane. It is that moving, and stirs up emotions in you that is hard to shake. It is by far the best book I have read this year. So let's get down to my verdict on the movie. First of all, I had no idea a film was being made, even though I had often fantasized about the idea. However, a friend whom I had discussed Delirium with, and who had also read the book found out about the movie and invited me to a private viewing. Realizing Emma Edwards was the lead cast member evoked mixed feelings, as I wasn't sure if she was the right person to play Lena Holoway. But I didn't want to jump to any conclusions until I had seen the whole movie. The heightened anticipation sunk like an iron blimp after the first 5mins. It's safe to say that the movie has ruined the memory of the actual story for me. I mean imagine starting on page one and suddenly fast forwarding to chapter ten! It made no sense whatsoever. The way Alex and Lena's relationship evolved was portrayed totally differently from the book. Both characters lacked chemistry in the movie, and Hana's role was totally confusing, and made no sense. Lena was supposed to be living with her aunt and her little cousin, and hardly saw her sister. However, in the movie, she lived with her sister. At the end when she escaped with Alex in the book, I remember experiencing this burst of intense adrenaline induced heart pounding sensation, that made me feel like I was actually the one on the run. The escape scene in the movie, again is totally different, and a total let down. It was like an after thought crammed in, and was almost laughable. That's how pathetic it was. I understand that a whole book cannot be crammed into a movie...but please don't change the story line! So many books have been made into movies, and there is always an element of disappointment, but Delirium takes home the award for totally pointless. I was absolutely infuriated, and left feeling cheated after the movie. It failed to arouse any sort of emotion in me, and I felt like I spent 45mins trying to ask a chicken why it crossed the road. I hate to burst your bubbles if you have been eagerly waiting to see this movie. It is absolutely not worth it. I wish I could undo seeing the movie, so I can keep the beautiful memory of the book intact and unspoilt. This movie goes to show that not all books work as a movie. I think it could have worked with the right lead characters, and more time invested into developing the characters and keeping to the original storyline. Not sure what they set out to achieve, but the end was left as if to be continued...as Alex didn't appear to be dead, and Lena failed to show any emotion as Alex was held down by the police after being shot. To say the movie was utterly disappointing and a complete waste of time, has to be be the understatement of the century. Non of the characters were good, and the story forgettable. The movie is an epic fail. Watch if you like the feeling of being cheated out of a good story.
