Comparing Gatsbys

The major difference i noticed between first and second Great Gatsby movies was that the second tried to explain the meaning and symbolism in the book. The first movie was almost word for word with the book with certain sections shortened, cut out, or dramatized. If you were to watch the first movie it would be very possible to miss many of the symbols and themes the book was trying to portray. The movie would literally spell it out of you. For example the symbolism of the green light was very clearly spelled out in the second movie. Tom even goes as far to say "i never noticed that" to show a contrast between him and Gatsby but in the second movie they only used direct quotes to hint at it. I think the reason the second movie changed so much of the book was to try and get the same amount of meaning across in just 2 1/2 hours. The book can be subtle at times and you really have to look at certain things to understand what the underlying meaning is. The director wanted to get the same message to the public but in a way that they could understand clearly. I think it was a bold but smart decision to change the movie so much. Lets be honest, most people don't go to movies to be preached at about moral decay. They go to see shit get blown up. The director of the 2nd movie realized this but still wanted everyone to be able to appreciate this work knowing full well that most people would not take the time to contemplate the meaning of the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg. Another contrast I noticed was the difference in the characters. In the first movie the characters seemed annoying and deplorable. In the second you could honestly understand why they were making their decisions, even if you did not agree with them. A similarity was that they both used many quotes from the books and both put a little of their era into the movie. The second did it through song, and the first through the style of filming they relied heavily on. I thought the second movie was much better and even though it used less direct quotes. more accurately portrayed Fitzgerald's vision for his masterpiece.