Ka like a Wheel; a phrase repeated often in the books refers to fate being like a wheel in that it rolls on and on and you can either roll with it or be crushed by it. What goes around, comes around is another way of looking at it and Everything's Eventual is still another. There are a lot of things wrong with this movie however there are a lot more things right with it. First off, Robin Furth had a hand in the story and if that name is unfamiliar to you, you have forgotten the face of your father. Robin is the majordomo behind Marvel's amazing Dark Tower comic book series. She was also Stephen King's personal consultant when crafting the second half of his epic series of novels. In Mr. King's own words (and also in my opinion) "She knows this stuff better than I do." So, be sure that the minds behind this movie have a deep understanding and appreciation of the source material. Secondly, this is not an adaptation. This is an original story set in the same universe as the novels. If you followed the series you know that there are other worlds than these and this movie takes place in one of those other infinite possibilities. There are echoes of the books of course, enough to earn a knowing chuckle from the Constant Reader and enough Stephen King Easter Eggs to fill a basket of Youtube "What you Missed" type videos. The characters are true to themselves. Jake is Jake, Roland is Roland, and Matthew McConaughey's Walter o'Dim a.k.a Randall Flagg a.k.a. The Man in Black is so deliciously vile his performance alone is worth the price of admission. If you're a Stephen King fan you owe it to yourself to see this new chapter in Roland's eternal quest. Certainly the movie has problems just as certainly as the books did. Just ignore the ending as much as you did the last two books and you'll have a great time.
Review of The Dark Tower
