Scan barcode
crufts's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moving Pictures is the 10th book in the Discworld series. It can be read as a standalone.
For years, lazy wizarding student Victor has managed to avoid graduating from Unseen University, instead existing in a comfortable limbo of unending student stipends. But one day he feels a inner calling to a land he's never been before: the land of Holy Wood. People from all over the Discworld find themselves gathering in the hot, dry hills, filled with strange thoughts and ideas - ideas about moving pictures captured in boxes full of imps, and the fistfuls of money to be made by projecting them on a screen.
With Holy Wood's ever-rising trajectory of fame, will it be a place where dreams are made... or nightmares?
Moving Pictures is silly, irreverent, and doesn't take itself too seriously. It's very much like an action film, where the protagonist doesn't have any real internal conflict. On the one hand, this made it an easy read, and invited lots of spectacular action scenes - explosions, chases, etc. On the other hand, with the protagonist lacking more of an inner life, it also felt like the story was a bit shallow. But given that it's a satire of Hollywood, maybe that's the idea?
Because the book chronologically follows the other 9 Discworld books, it was fun to see some returning characters, especially from the wizard contingent and the Unseen University. These existing characters were integrated well into the story and stayed very much in-character.
The plot was very exciting and intriguing in the first two-thirds or so, as the mystery of Holy Wood is yet to be revealed. However, the final third was just "okay": after the big climactic showdown scene, the narrative still has to continue for a while in order to wrap up loose threads.
Overall, an entertaining and action-packed story, but without the philosophical depth that many other Discworld novels enjoy.
If you liked this, you may like: Going Postal
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Violence
Minor: Alcohol
Violence: Played for laughs.Sexism: There are very few female characters, and they don't have roles equal to the men. This is especially noticeable in the female deuteragonist.
Alcohol: A drinking scene.
josiee's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
takeachance's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and War
Minor: Animal death and Incest