by
larzini
on Tue 20 Jun 2006 02:18 AM EDT
I knew nothing about
The Fountain when I picked it up at the public library, about three months ago. But I knew that when it was done, it needed to be mentioned here.
I read a lot. Blogs, books, newspapers, e-mails, comics, web sites, professional journals, magazine, and sometimes even the pile of novels that I can't keep up with. And, of course, graphic novels. Now sometimes a graphic novel is a collection of individual comic books bound together under one cover. Well, I'm not sure if
The Fountain appeared that way, but I am certain that it is one of the best representations I've ever seen of a graphic novel. This is why people should read graphic novels, and get over the fact that it's a story that has pictures, and there's nothing wrong with that. (Although, I'm sure most of the people that read this blog don't have a problem with it.)
Darren Aronofsky (you know, one "A", like Elvis), wrote this as a
movie.
The movie was
cancelled originally, but was eventually made. But I am not looking forward to seeing it. I don't care who's playing the characters, or how its filmed, or how much is spent on effects.
It's a good story. And the
graphic novel medium suits it fine. This may not have been
Aronofsky's original intention. But combined with Kent Williams gorgeous illustration, I'm convinced the story as told the way it needed to be.
There's three intricately weaved storylines here, but it's all one story that takes place at different points in history. Despite the battles fought in South America and the travels through the universe, where
The Fountain truly hits home is as a story about love, life, and death. Simple, huh?
Isn't every story about that, one may ask? Every story may involve that, but every story may no reflect upon it or encourage introspection on these matters.
I don't want to give a synopsis, but I know when the book was over, I was moved. I shook, I shed a tear.
Maybe I'm a big baby. There's always that possibility. It's not so much that it's sad, but there's something beautiful about
The Fountain.
Don't get this confused with the Def Jux dj RJD2. I'm referring to Ryan vs. Dorkman 2, so there should be no confusion. Type in 'light saber' on Ye Olde YouTube, you'll get close to 10,000 matches. And there's a good chance these arch-nemeses (is that right?) will appear at the top of the results.
Missed the earlier coverage of the 
Has 
I believe I was in 3rd grade when they played this in my elementary school, but it may have been earlier since Star Wars came out when I was in 1st grade. (LL note: Looks like it was 1st grade. 1977.) I still chuckle when I see this. If the Internet was around back then, they certainly would have had a ton of traffic.
