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
www.amazon.com/California-Bet...
Animal City, Cannibal World
Dillon Allen-Perez
www.amazon.com/dp/1735636428/...
Reflections and Falling and Loving What's Lost
Ryan K. Allen
www.amazon.com/Reflections-Fa...
a word is not what it means
Dillon Allen-Perez
www.amazon.com/word-not-what-...
Mold
Ryan K. Allen
www.amazon.com/Mold-Ryan-K-Al...
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

[@dillonallen-perez]

Should they remake the Sphere movie? We think it deserves a reboot! Check out which actors we chose to recast as the characters from the book: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZ6tf2x7rbNlmbs

[@theonly1V]

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!!

[@somebrothers]

I, for one, didn't put that together with Beth at the ending. Great analysis! And that little detail is certainly something that would have been great for the movie! - Ryan

[@dillonallen-perez]

I didn't put that together either, but I love that analysis! Great close reading of those changing details in the book. That interpretation makes me like the ending of the book even more! That would've been a very cool thing to see in the movie. Leaving it open-ended is a lot more interesting for this story.

[@YoutubeAccount5]

If you all listen to the audiobook, the delivery at the end very much implies that Beth kept the power. And that is my favorite version of the ending; the implications are so haunting!! What could she do with this power that now nobody knows about?? She could literally be unstoppable. Will she let the absolute power get to her and use the manifestations for greed, or to literally become a super villain of sorts?? Instead of any of that, we get the movie with a hand-holding "happily ever after" and I HATED that!!!

[@dillonallen-perez]

@@KZbinAccount5 That makes me want to read a sequel! They would have to work together to stop Beth from using the power for bad-but they'd have to figure out how she's doing it in the first place because they forgot about the sphere and the power in the first place!

[@Themaninblack19]

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

[@B-TRU86]

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

[@somebrothers]

Glad you liked it! I loved the Congo book, but haven't seen the movie, so maybe we can revisit Crichton on the show someday. If Sphere becomes your first foray into Crichton books, I don't think you'll be disappointed! -Ryan

[@B-TRU86]

Definitely gonna read sphere soon..keep up the good work fellas..and of course. I subbed!

[@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.

[@somebrothers]

I'm sorry that you lost your dad last year. The Andromeda Strain remains one of my favorite all-time books and one of the ones I've re-read the most. I hope you are able to find that copy or maybe just pick up a different copy as another little thing to remember him. -Ryan

[@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!

[@tommiepattonkendrickiii1617]

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.

[@somebrothers]

Ooh, "The Dark Half" has been growing stale in my reading queue for some time now. I may have to bump it up in priority! - Ryan

[@tommiepattonkendrickiii1617]

@Some Brothers , awesome! That's great to hear... it's one of my favorites. I would LOVE to see you do an episode with THOSE two, both book and film of the same title! Much love Brothers!

[@dudedude1808]

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

[@GeorgeThorogood83]

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

[@jeffs.s.]

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

[@CDubya.82]

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!

[@BeachesNguns-fl4cx]

If this ain’t good imma f y’all up!

[@supremegodemperorpalpatine4872]

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.

[@Ms314159265358979323]

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

[@BeachesNguns-fl4cx]

You need Jesus 😒

[@Ms314159265358979323]

@@BeachesNguns-fl4cx My gardener? I mean... he is pretty hunky but I dont think so

[@YoutubeAccount5]

​@@Ms314159265358979323Disgustingly vile AND racist, congrats nobody will ever visit your gravestone. It will be sad when you pass early at the age of 58, but the pills will take hold by then; ya see, you'll have a knee injury and the pain medicine will bring you more comfort than you've ever felt from a human. You'll chase that feeling forever, until you can't quite catch it anymore, and you go a little too far.

[@vitamin3076]

pshh i liked it