The Color of Magic

            Magic is special, a point Terry Prachett conveys in his alternate universe of a world that is as flat as we once thought ours was. Magic is in the open and lives along side regular peoples who actualy depend on it somewhat. Even a University’s at the Center of Town though hidden. The focus of the story it's self being split between A group of people known as Zooliogists that have been risking their life for years trying to figure the sex of the great World Turtle A’tuin that they sit upon. And the focus of the exploits of Rincewind the washed up wizard who for all the fourty years he’s been practicing wizardry hasn’t been able to learn more than one spell; and the exploits of the Disc World’s first Tourist Two-Flower who wished to tour the town of Ank  Mor Pork to “look at it” with his many legged luggage behind him. Another split is of the Herarchy inside the University Itself as aspiring Wizards wish to move up the food Chain to Arch Chancler a particularly maniacal Wizard named Trymon will knock off any and all in his way of the high position. The Setting is by all means Medieval with some semi modern dashes here and there being mostly in some “technology” and attire.

            Upon first sight Rincwind is a sympathetic character seen being tossed form his only home at middle age. He is scruffily and unkept, indeed the years look to have worn on him. Even his wizard’s hat can’t stand up right. He doesn’t look like a typical wizard being an under graduate he seems to almost have outgrown the over coat of stars. His continuous attempts at suicide is almost laughable as the poor wretch can’t stand himself any longer. He stops this when he’s burdened with being Two Flower’s guide to the region for four gold Rinu a day at the start, then threatened with his very life by the Partrician; a man you do not want to miss with or be on the bad side of. Rincewind somewhat gets his act together but is continuously endangered by Two Flowers “curiosity” He tries remaining detached of Two Flower possibly for this reason however in the end he finds friendship with him. Rincwind becomes an unliky hero because of the spell locked in his head and is looked upon differently when he saves every ones bacon. You could say he somewhat grows through his adventures but is still narrow minded to a degree. He can at times come off as a self centered jerk that is cruel to Twoflower and Exploitive; however he softens a bit.

            Twoflower is like a dumb puppy every one tolerates but wants to smack silly upon his sure dumb curiosity and luck. He tries making friends everywhere he goes as well as sowing ideas like “Insurance” Being a “looker” and of course his very precious Iconograph he even tries using at Death’s Doorstep. Two Flower stands on the edge of being lovably simplistic and idiotic with an adorable touch of Ignorance. He’s more heroic than Rincwind even taking lip form a sacrificial maiden and thinking of a wonderful emerald dragon. He’s the iconic tourist with bad money management skills. His luggage slash companion totes his wealth around as well as his soaks and is highly loyal to him. He lucks out finding a wizard right away to show him around. You could say he grows  possibly but more in wonder of the world about him more than anything. It’s saddening to see how his outlook on things damper somewhat when he realizes something negative. It gives off a guilt trip.

            Death is a side Character that is always around prominently. Wizards and witches can see Him as well as cats whom he favors to cuddle. He is just there when one is supposed to kick it black cloak and all. His voice is deep and chilling and honestly makes a person quake but He has his quirks: He owns a live white horse he seems to take well care of and he seems to be found of going to parties and having tea. Wizards call on him when they want to know things such as what’s up with the big red dwarf suddenly in the sky. Death is teased viciously by Rincewinds antics of attempt of suicide and Near Death Experiences which he labes “Near Rincewind Experiences” as the Eighth Spell in his head keeps him for harm thus cheating Him. He also might as well install a Revolving Door since both Rincewind and Twoflower were in his grasp and got away. He believes in “keeping Appointments” however long it takes.

            The story starts in More Pork but goes all over the place including off planet in a capsule  with Angary Druids, Sacrificial Ceremonies, The Knocking off of the high wizards of the University and eventually back to Mor Pork when the impending Death Star Looming so close to solstice. The special effects seems to be a bit on a budget with a few live explosions for the blowing up of the mostly wood Mor Pork. The sword fighting is good with little blood but who’s complaining. For a while Rincewind gets to fight with a magic sword since he can’t do spells. It’s slow paced in a lot of instances then quickened by action. The Computer Graphics is modest and hints at a bit of a low budget but refreshingly doesn’t over run. Of all the people Rincewind and Twoflower run into, the most intractive memorable ones are of course Bethan and the real Cohan. t’s a shame Twoflower couldn’t take his larger than life dragon out of the Wyrm Burg. Death’s house is rather big for just a single being living in it and the template is appropriately Gothic Brushed. In Town Rincewind is the only other Wizard able to use magic and saves the other staffs tailcoats. Little of sparkly stuff it maybe. The birth of other baby turtle supported worlds is just wonderfully darling.

            In the end, the very thing people are panicking about is actually a starter of new life (Still possibly another sun of something) and all the craziness seems to cool off. Trymon is undon by Rincewind’s dumb luck however without him the Arch Chancler positions very vacant. Everything returns to the rough norm including the Octavo which coincidentally ended up in the mouth of Twoflowers luggage. A lot of things seem to end up in there though rather they make it back out again is open to speculation. Bethan and Cohan decided it was now or never and got married just in case the had to spend their honeymoon in the Next World. Rincewind finally grasps a little the way Twoflower is and appreciates it, as ignorant and childish as it is. He inherits the luggage though It belongs to itself. It’s clear it will be a very long time before Rincewind and Death generally meet without the Eighth Spell protecting him any longer. Perhaps he will go onto practicing magic or he may go on to do something else. Hopefully he and Twoflower keep in touch. Bethan and Cohan will definitely have an interesting life together undoubtedly filled with more adventure as Cohan will “live till he dies” and he’s definitely not slowing down at the moment. 

Surely by tomorrow every one will forget this whole mess and the Librarian can get all of this books back into an orderly manor though being an orangutan he will now want to change.

The Film adaptation earns a whole five stars for consistency and trueness to the characters and development. Sean Austen is a perfect match in casting of Two Flower. He and Samwise share a character depth which seems similar with some differences. Both are good people and friends and care about others rather they like it or not. They are unbelievably naive of the world about them. Christopher Lee is an imposing voice already. Casting him to voice Death Himself and there's an interesting result: He is imposing. Death speaks in ALL CAPITOL LETTERS in the book but he hardly shouts. He echos his strictness and other worldliness but at the same time you get used to him. He doesn't seem that bad. Just don't tea  him with not dying. Tim Curry is another perfect character match. One hardly thinks of him being in a pointy hat and robes. Curry is diverse as they come and hits the dark wizard Trymon on the ambitious head.He's organized, calculating; tenacious and of course murderous with a charming smile. He has all of the Wizarding Board watching their backs. He puts Trymon's characters foreshadowing to good use in our meet shortly after Rincewind "any wizard that tiers of looking for sharp glass in his dinner and poison in his brandy is tired of life."

	Qurkes & Kudos

 

·         The Icongraph is like our early cameras 

• People actually hold sill when Twoflower wants a picture
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• ·         Rincewind is knowledgeable in ranking spells but retains only one
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• ·         The Octavo chose Rincewind as a “portable human Book”
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• ·         Rincewind's continual attempted suicides then actual dumb luck just teases Death ‘to death’
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• ·         Death’s house is both Gothic and Cozy
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• ·         Rincewind has the longest running magical student history at 40 years
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• ·         Sapient Pearwood is a must for things that you want mobile as well as resilient
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• ·         Death enjoys tea and crumpets like any other living being
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• ·         Death mighest well put in a “revolving door” for those whom are at his Door Step but don't stay
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• ·         Twoflower is so excited and wants to snap pictures of Deaths Door Steep and house
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• ·         Trymon is ingenious in his assassination methods,
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• ·         Rincewinds aloud outbursts make him look crazy
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• ·         You can use two sticks in a wand fight
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• ·         Bethan is disturbingly intrigued by Cohan
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• ·         Trymon uses the Archchancler to oust Rincewind
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• ·         Rincewinds Under grad wardrobe
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• ·         You can fall off the Discworld!
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• Rincewind doesn’t believe in Dragons though he’s a wizard

Kudos

·         Cast welly portrays the characters (mostly)

·         Twoflower's modernish tourist outfit

·         Effects of dragons

·         The Great Akun looks like a sea turtle

·         Effort put in finding the sex of At’uen rather than looking at the stars

·         Wardrobes as bland and unchanging as they are

·         A talking, magical  sword that sounds like John Cleese

·         Star Wars Death Star Reference

·         Cohan is still prodding buttock at his age

·         The Design of Rhinus

·         Atu’ens Sea turtle design

·         Modern’s mixed with Mid-evil

·         Humor, even of sarcasim

·         Magic is everywhere and is a part of every day life

·         SEAN AUSTIN’s in this!!

·         Christopher Lee is a wonderful match for voicing Death