Sphere - Michael Crichton Book vs. Movie, Which is Better? - Adaptation Station (Episode 6)

Welcome back to the sixth episode of Adaptation Station, the show where we review books and their movie adaptations, but with a twist: we each consume the book-movie combo in a different order (book first vs. movie first). If you want to skip the spoiler section after the introduction and ratings, go to 34:32 for our final recommendations and wrap-up.

Ryan Kenneth Allen and Dillon Allen-Perez (aka Some Brothers) are published writers. Order their books here:

California Between the Fires
Ryan Kenneth Allen

Animal City, Cannibal World
Dillon Allen-Perez

Reflections and Falling and Loving What's Lost
Ryan K. Allen

a word is not what it means
Dillon Allen-Perez

Mold
Ryan K. Allen

Follow Some Brothers on Instagram:
@ryankennethallen
@dillonallenperez

—TIMELINE—
00:00 - Introduction
03:34 - Spoiler Filled Review
34:32 - Final Recommendations
37:31 - Bonus Round - Ongoing Rankings

[theonlyV]

I think there is also, in the book's ending (literally last page), a question of whether Beth did indeed agree to "forget" about the sphere.... She is very quiet when they discuss their altered "memory" after agreeing to forget the sphere. Also, Norman looks at her afterwards and notices that she is "almost beautiful" and tells her she "looks lovely" and she simply smiles enigmatically. When Beth starts manifesting, around the last half of the book, she starts to become increasingly beautiful/alluring to Harry and Norman and uses this as a weapon to gain power (i.e., her seduction attempts to try to divide and conquer).

This is very meaningful, as Beth's character is not described as "beautiful" at all when we are introduced to her, and her psychology is of someone who has an inferiority complex, feels like she's seen as less powerful and acts confrontational, aggressive and muscular, trying to compete with men on their own terms. Once she gets manifestation powers, she starts making herself more attractive and starts using more feminine "powers" to manipulate Harry and Norman (i.e., seduction, acting vulnerable, crying, pleading - all neotonous characteristics typically seen in women).

The ending is very open-ended about whether ALL survivors did indeed forget about the sphere. WHich would have been a much better ending for the movie!!

[B-TRU]

Love the concept fellas could b some great content ..also loved sphere congo movies etc..havent read any books yet

[Themaninblack]

Just finished the book and i was blown away, it sounds cliche but idk how else to describe it and that ending

[tommiepattonkendrickiii]

Sphere was my introduction to Michael Crichton books... I read it twice, back to back. I LOVE this book so much! One of the most memorable books I've read (I would put Steven King's "Dark Half" just underneath "Sphere") in my life. Also, one of few underrated films of the late the 90s. I still love this movie! I love the conversation with Norman and the Sphere, when he goes in, in the book.

[brutusalwaysminded]

Loved your review (for the most part - Who said filmmakers have to be true to the book, play, or original screenplay - at all? 😁). Thanks!

[casedistorted]

My dad had an original copy of The Andromeda Stain he kept asking me if I had seen just before he died last year in 2022. Wish I could’ve found it for him, he was always convinced it was worth some money or maybe it was just his favorite book.

[CDubya.]

A good movie adaptation but no where near the best Crichton adaptation.
A fantastic book. Easily Crichton's best book IMO. My favorite book ever!

[GeorgeThorogood]

Check out the Hannibal Lecter series. Would make great comparison.

[dudedude]

A bunch of people died in the fire? The general didn't go down there?

[jeffs.s.]

the book is also my favourite and so is the movie, although I see it's flaws

[larrybrown]

The book was so much superior to the movie. What an amazing cast that they didn't use well. And bad writing.

[supremegodemperorpalpatine]

No contest, the book was better. The movie wasn't horrible mind you, but if you read the book first (as I did) it's just kinda Meh.

[Ms]

I am really sorry, but you look more like a couple than brothers to me :). Really cute.