The Alex Rider novels were given a movie adaptation during the 2000s, that saw the first book Stormbreaker make its big screen debut. The film wasn't a great success and the concept of an ongoing series quickly died.
Many years on, Amazon Prime has now produced an original series based on the same book franchise, that has become far more critically successful than its cinematic predecessor. But with a brand new take on the character, it's important to look back on the original movie and what it did well and what could have been improved about it.
Got Wrong: The Casting
The casting was all over the place, which significantly damaged the franchise. While Bill Nighy was an excellent choice as Alan Blunt, despite being a great actor, Stephen Fry didn't really suit the role of Alex's gadget master.
Other casting choices were mixed at best, the worst choice was probably Alex Pettyfer as Alex Rider. While he was a rising star with some good acting chops, his age alone meant that the role wasn't very suitable for him in the long term.
Got Right: The Action
Like any good spy franchise, the books focus on the tense action that this teenager gets involved in. There are many action sequences throughout the novels that are adapted well to the big screen.
Whether it's escaping a giant killer jellyfish, or a high-speed chase involving a student on his bike, one of the things the film really got right is how these stunts and set pieces were choreographed and put together.
Got Wrong: The Audience
One of the things that the film never seemed to understand was its audience. The novels are aimed at young adults, but are very accessible to adults as well.
The movie on the other hand seemed to include dialogue that could only appeal to a young teen, while adding action sequences that really wouldn't be welcome in a family film. The result was a strange mixture that couldn't land on a target group.
Got Right: The Tone
The tone of the film was at least similar to the novels though. The general theme throughout these books is that this is a young school boy who is out of his depth in dangerous situations.
The idea that this was a teenager was heavily focused on and the conversations around having such a young man in the line of danger helped to add to this constant tension that permeates throughout the movie.
Got Wrong: The Relationship
Alex's primary love interest is Sabina Pleasure. She appears much later into the books, but has been introduced in the very first film of this cinematic franchise.
This choice is confusing as their relationship comes about at a time when Alex is more sure of his abilities, but his desire to carry on being a spy clashes with his romance with Sabina. This doesn't work if they meet during his first adventure.
Got Right: The Housekeeper
Every spy film needs some sort of cover to go back to and luckily Alex's is extremely easy, as he can carry on being a high school student. His real origin has quite a dark twist though, with his uncle getting killed in action.
His housekeeper, Jack Starbright, is a crucial part of his life and a very understanding and supporting character. She's a critical player throughout the books and luckily the film managed to characterize her well, as both fierce and caring.
Got Wrong: The Universe
Stormbreaker didn't exactly capture imaginations in its portrayal of Alex's universe. While it introduced viewers to the crazy gadgets and over the top stunts, it didn't expand the world very well.
If this universe of espionage was created in a more intriguing way, much like the Kingsman universe, then there would have been a number of sequels that adapted other successful Alex Rider stories.
Got Right: The Uncle
Ewan McGregor plays the uncle in the film, who brings up Alex and inspires him to become a hero and a spy. The relationship between the two is a complex one though.
The movie did a good job of striking a balance between his uncle being a little cold because of his job, as well as being very caring for Alex. It's the driving force of the whole narrative.
Got Wrong: The Rival
Alex's chief rival throughout the novels is an assassin called Yassen Gregorovich, who was a part of the murder of Alex's uncle. The man has a complicated past and even received a spin-off book.
The personal rivalry between the two really wasn't played upon enough. In many ways, their lives are paralleled, but he's such an important character in Rider's story that it was a shame he didn't get the proper share of the spotlight.
Got Right: The Spy
The key element that had to be believable was that Alex could be capable of being a spy. The way he developed in his training and how far he came from his extra-curricular actives showcased that he was the real deal.
Without his abilities as a spy being believable in some way, the movie would fall apart and become more of a comedy than an action drama. Hopefully, the Amazon Original will replicate this in some way.