Movie Mondays: On the occasional Monday, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a movie. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the movie or the book? Here is this edition’s offering:
Book: Fifty Shades Freed by E L James (2012) | Movie: Fifty Shades Freed (2018)
Which did I read/see first? the BOOK
Book Cover | Movie Poster
Series: Fifty Shades
Author: E L James
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Heat Rating: Smokin’ (BDSM: High)
Point of View: First Person, Single
Source & Format: Public Library–eBook
I really only remember the highlights of this story. By far, this was the most suspenseful of the three reads. I felt like the sexy times were toned down a bit to emphasis the development of Ana and Christian’s relationship–which was a good thing. They have a lot of issues to work out and this was the book that really brought those to the forefront.
Rating: 4/5
Series Review: Full series review here!
- Claim Me by J. Kenner (Stark Trilogy, #1)
- Bared to You by Sylvia Day (Crossfire Series, #1)
Were My Expectations Met?
Compared to the first movie, the first sequel, Fifty Shades Darker, really found its own. Everything was more natural and the movie was much more enjoyable. Now that might have been because I’d been comfortable with the whole idea of this series as a movie.
So my expectations were pretty high for Fifty Shades Freed. As I said above, this novel really doesn’t focus on the sex as much and that is the case with the movie as well. Instead, we get to see Ana and Christian work on their marriage and prove why they work. Unfortunately, the chemistry between Dakota and Jamie isn’t that great so it made things seem awkward but there were definitely some cute moments.
I will say that I thought this was going to be a little more suspenseful given the plot but that didn’t really happen. Maybe because I already know how everything wraps up, it didn’t have the same thrill to me.
How Close is it to the Book?
I get a lot of the plot points between Darker and Freed mixed up because I read them so close together. But all the major plot points are there and all the key moments from the novel are shown.
For the sake of time, I felt like a lot of things were downplayed and that made things seem like they were unfinished to me. I think this article by EW sums them up nicely!
Did I Like the Cast?
For this entire trilogy, Dakota has been a highlight. I think she makes a fantastic Ana and her performance is always great.
As for Jamie, he seemed to revert to his first appearance as Christian. I was really impressed with his performance in the last movie and I felt a little let down by this one. Perhaps it was the dialogue but he just seemed so stiff to me. It might also be the fact that he has to do his American accent so it sounds forced.
I was really impressed with the second movie of this movie trilogy so I had high expectations. But I felt like the plot here was stifled a little and I left wanting a little more.
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for Fifty Shades Freed (from Goodreads):
When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian’s singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees.
Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past.
Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana’s deepest fears turn to reality.
Trailer:
