Tomorrow When The War Began

[November]

Gotta spread the love here too cos theres not been enough advertising in my opinion!!

My favorite book series Tomorrow When the War Began hit the big screens last week. Unfortunately I was a bad bad fangirl and didnt get to see it until tonight. And I LOVED it. So now I just have to go around and tell every one that I loved it and try to get everyone to go out and see it AT THE MOVIES so they make the sequel (the movie is only based on the first book of 7 or 10 if you count the Ellie Chronicles, but Im happy if they just make the first 3 😉)

You can see the trailer along with other bits and pieces at the official site -
http://www.twtwb.com/

Or on youtube here (sorry duno how to do that embedding thingo here) -
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_KhErNyiq8&feature=related[/ame]

Basically the story goes - A group of teenagers head out on a camping trip and come back to find that Australia has been invaded. So they do what all good rouge teenagers do, and blow things up.

Really it is alot more indepth then that but it is now after 3am and I just want to make it sound cool. The story is primarily a loss of innocence story. These characters head out as kids and end up as soldiers. The books are fantastic. Written in the 90's and aimed at 'young adults' (*ahem teenagers*). But I think I will always love them.

The movie wasnt set out to be a huge blockbuster, but by Aussie standards, its pretty damn good. It is a great adaptation of the book, leaving in parts for us fans to go nuts over, while changing it up a little so it flows into a motion picture.

Caitlin Stasey who plays the lead role as Ellie is AMAZING. I was absolutely blown away with how good she was. And this is the kid from "The Sleepover Club" and "Neighbours" fame, so I wasnt expecting much! Deniz Akdeniz was a stand out too (as Homer), as was Lincoln Lewis (as Kevin). But Caitlin Stasey was really the star.

There was plenty of action, humour and tears. But before you go out expecting a hollywood movie, keep in mind its not. It has the corny Aussie humour, and bits and pieces that perhaps would feel bizarre to overseas viewers. Maybe it will be a dodgy midday movie in a few years, but right now I freaking love it.

I am well aware that I love this movie because I love the books so much and that others are not really going to get it. But Im still going to post this anyway. My close mates are going bonkers because I havent shut up about it for months. So share the craziness and give them a break.

I'd love to hear from any fellow fans in this thread too 😀
And for those fans who might not know about the cute little wirrawee site -
www.wirrawee.com.au/

 

[Lilah]

I really wanna see this, when will it be shown in the UK? Big fan of Lincoln Lewis. Didn't realise Caitlin was in it, I love her too.

 

[November]

Not sure on international release dates as they were going to see how well it did here first. But I think it is now the 3rd highest grossing film in Australia and its not even been out a week yet. I'll go see if I can find some dates and let ya know.

Who knew soap stars could act ay 😉

 

[Lilah]

Just watched el trailer, how fricking amazing does it look. They all seem pretty impressive actors. I felt they were when I saw Caitlin and Lincoln before anyways.

 

[November]

I've always liked Lincoln, but I wasnt too sure how Caitlin Stasey would do. She totally nailed it. I wish I could find the screencap for that one look that had me in tears! But my internet connection is being a total spaztard so for the moment all I can provide you with are a couple pics, cos for those of you in the UK you may recognise these two from Neighbours and Home and Away -

Caitlin Stasey

Caitlin plays the lead - Ellie, who narrates the story. She is probably one of the few fictional characters I really look up to, so for Caitlin to get this right was really important to me. I am so freaking thankful she got it right!

Lincoln Lewis

Lincoln on the other hand plays Kevin, who is really your run of the mill boy looking out to have a good time. Lincoln does a great job not trying to make Kevin out to be this big hero, cos Kevin is a wimp, but when shit really hits the fan he comes through. And Lincolns portrayal of Kevin is pretty much spot on. He has great chemistry with his co-star/on-screen girlfriend Corrie played by Rachel Herd-Wood who is simply stunning.

All of the cast did really well. Ashleigh Cummings (Robyn) had me in tears as well with the heartbreaking scene on the bridge. Chris Pang did well as Lee, I really want to see how he progresses if they do make the other films. Im not too sure on Andy Ryan's character Chris, I think Im going to need another watch through to see if I like him or not. Im not really sure if they wrote him to be like that or Andy was just crap in the part... Phoebe Tonkin didnt really do it for me as Fi. She is supposed to be a ditz, but Phoebe seemed almost cardboard. Again though if they make the other films she has space to do more with the character.

Deniz had me in fits of laughter. He was not how I imagined Homer at all, but he made the character his own. He was the fun loving larrikin to the tough as nails leader. Perfect!

 

[Spikefan31]

I've never read the books. I saw the trailer at the cinema was like 'OMG, it's Rachel from Neighbours!' I recognised Lincoln Lewis, but I've never really watched Home and Away. So, is the movie worth watching?

By the way, OccaQuokka, I love your username!

 

[November]

I've never read the books. I saw the trailer at the cinema was like 'OMG, it's Rachel from Neighbours!' I recognised Lincoln Lewis, but I've never really watched Home and Away. So, is the movie worth watching?

By the way, OccaQuokka, I love your username!

Haha Thanks 😛

YES the movie is worth watching! Even if you just go on cheap tuesdays... I went with people who havent read the books, and they said they enjoyed it (although if they hadnt I may have hit them so perhaps they were lying... we'll never know). They were a little confused by the ending because it isnt clean cut, I had to explain that it is based on the first novel, hence the no real ending ending. But they didnt seem to have any other questions nor were confused without having read the books.

It is very true to the book though, so I think I got so much more out of it because I feel like I basically grew up with the characters, grown to love them over the last 12 or so years and I knew the emotion behind the scenes.

Besides that, it is a fantastic story, definitely entertaining and worth going to the cinema for.

 

[Mumrik]

Oh, this looks really cool. And if you, as a fan of the books, love it, it seems to be really well made, since fans aren't easy to please. 😉 I doubt it'll get a release date over here anytime soon though. Maybe I'll check out the books instead.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Saw the trailer a long time ago and want to see this movie so bad! If only I were super rich and just could go to Australia for a visit and a movie.

 

[Frketson]

Not really my type of movie, but rachael from neighbours is hot.

Its a tough call to make.

 

[white avenger]

I hope that we get to see it here in the United States. It seems to be something like the 1984 Patrick Swayze movie, "Red Dawn," which, I believe, was remade recently.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poKAPJPo_wk[/ame]

 

[Anya2012]

My sister and i went last week. The cinema was barely full, it had about 20 people in it! Surprising since it was late Friday night. How were the cinemas for my fellow Aussies?

 

[Lilah]

I wanna be a Aussie.

 

[November]

I hope that we get to see it here in the United States. It seems to be something like the 1984 Patrick Swayze movie, "Red Dawn," which, I believe, was remade recently.

There has been alot of discussion about this on the Tomorrow forums, mostly I stay out of it because I haven't seen Red Dawn. But most of the arguments (and they get quite heated) are that they are not alike, because Tomorrow's main theme is the loss of innocence and the emotions behind that and growing up. Yeah they are both teenage war stories, but that is where the similarities end. I havent seen it myself, thats just what I've read.

My sister and i went last week. The cinema was barely full, it had about 20 people in it! Surprising since it was late Friday night. How were the cinemas for my fellow Aussies?

I've been to see it 3 times now. Never been a packed cinema but, never been empty either. I kinda wonder why they released it when they did, but hopefully more people will go and see it when school holidays start. Good on you for supporting an aussie movie and going to see it at the cinema 😀 Did you like it? Are you a fan of the books?

After my 3rd watch in as many days, I still LOVE it. Still laughed, still cried. 4 people I've seen it with had never read the books and it was really not thing and all 4 came away and said they enjoyed it.

Frketson, my mate didnt think it would be her type of thing either, but no sooner were we out the doors of the cinema, we were on the hunt for a bookstore to get the book for her because she loved it that much.

I'm ecstatic that the film turned out the way it did. I really really hope they do the sequel and Caitlin gets recognised for her acting. She was freaking brilliant.

I'll keep an eye out for the international dates. I did hear somewhere that it was playing at one of the film festivals in the hope it would get picked up for international release. I have some things to say about how it may/may not appeal to international audiences but Im way too dosed up right now to go into that. I really hope it does go international and that the overseas fans get to support the movie too.

 

[Anya2012]

There has been alot of discussion about this on the Tomorrow forums, mostly I stay out of it because I haven't seen Red Dawn. But most of the arguments (and they get quite heated) are that they are not alike, because Tomorrow's main theme is the loss of innocence and the emotions behind that and growing up. Yeah they are both teenage war stories, but that is where the similarities end. I havent seen it myself, thats just what I've read.




I've been to see it 3 times now. Never been a packed cinema but, never been empty either. I kinda wonder why they released it when they did, but hopefully more people will go and see it when school holidays start. Good on you for supporting an aussie movie and going to see it at the cinema 😀 Did you like it? Are you a fan of the books?

After my 3rd watch in as many days, I still LOVE it. Still laughed, still cried. 4 people I've seen it with had never read the books and it was really not thing and all 4 came away and said they enjoyed it.

Frketson, my mate didnt think it would be her type of thing either, but no sooner were we out the doors of the cinema, we were on the hunt for a bookstore to get the book for her because she loved it that much.

I'm ecstatic that the film turned out the way it did. I really really hope they do the sequel and Caitlin gets recognised for her acting. She was freaking brilliant.

I'll keep an eye out for the international dates. I did hear somewhere that it was playing at one of the film festivals in the hope it would get picked up for international release. I have some things to say about how it may/may not appeal to international audiences but Im way too dosed up right now to go into that. I really hope it does go international and that the overseas fans get to support the movie too.

I've got the book series an I want to reread the series but my sister wanted to first. Can't wait for Red Dawn. Hopefully we won't have to wait to long.

 

[November]

I've got the book series an I want to reread the series but my sister wanted to first. Can't wait for Red Dawn. Hopefully we won't have to wait to long.

Apparently Red Dawn remake went broke in post production, thats just what I read...

The general vibe amongst the TWTWB fans is that comparing the Tomorrow Series to Red Dawn is like comparing Buffy to the Twilight Saga.

There are fans of the books all over the world, so for them I think the movie will live up to expectations. But Im not too sure how it will be received in America for the mainstream audience. Our lifestyle and humour is so different, and without having the read the books, they may not get it.

Like the guns for example, we have very strict gun laws, and people getting shot is kinda a big deal. Although it is on the rise, along with all violence. The characters in the series are farm kids so they do know how to handle weapons, but its never been for self defence. The violence was never something they had to deal with, and now they've been thrown into a war and are struggling to deal with the emotional and moral consequences.

I'm re-reading the series now. I hope that the movies urge more people to read the books, they are aimed at teenagers, but can be enjoyed by all ages. If this film does well at the box office, they will hopefully make a sequel. So thats why Im begging all the Aussies to go and see it at the movies. All you have lost if you dont like the movie is a few bucks, you've still had a good day/night out, and you've supported the Aussie industry.

 

[white avenger]

The general vibe amongst the TWTWB fans is that comparing the Tomorrow Series to Red Dawn is like comparing Buffy to the Twilight Saga.


Like the guns for example, we have very strict gun laws, and people getting shot is kinda a big deal. Although it is on the rise, along with all violence. The characters in the series are farm kids so they do know how to handle weapons, but its never been for self defense. The violence was never something they had to deal with, and now they've been thrown into a war and are struggling to deal with the emotional and moral consequences.

I wasn't trying to imply that this movie was a ripoff of "Red Dawn," This is a fairly common theme, the citizens of an invaded country banding together in small guerrilla groups to fight their oppressors, in both films and books, and has been for generations.

The same goes with the protagonists' abilities with firearms. Very, VERY few hunters or gun enthusiasts have, unless they saw active military service in a war zone, have any experience in firing at another human being, nor do they ever desire to have any such. Citizens becoming soldiers when the need arises goes back as far as Robin Hood and his merry men, and probably even further back than that.

As I said before, this sounds like an interesting movie, and I hope that we get to see it in the U S eventually.

 

[Spikefan31]

Watched this movie 2 nights ago. Haven't read the book so had no expectations going into it. Therefore, I enjoyed it. I love Homer! He's the best! 🙂