The Kite Runner
The Kite Runner
PG-13 | 14 December 2007 (USA)
The Kite Runner Trailers

After spending years in California, Amir returns to his homeland in Afghanistan to help his old friend Hassan, whose son is in trouble.

Reviews
Incannerax

What a waste of my time!!!

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Steinesongo

Too many fans seem to be blown away

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Spoonatects

Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

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Doomtomylo

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

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Peto Barna (trex_daemon)

I've discovered the book not so long ago when I was searching for my next book to read. The book itself is a hard-to-put down, once you start reading, so it's no secret that I've really enjoyed the book. Before that, I didn't know much about Afghanistan and it's culture, generally. I wasn't aware that actually there were different nations, like afghans, hazaras or talibs. Shame on me. After finishing the book, I've felt shame that until now, I've considered afghan culture primitive and aggressive. I've discovered that there was actually a movie adaptation recently and by mistake. I wasn't sure I wanted to watch it, as the movie adaptations rarely follow the book's narrative very strictly, and this can upset a lot of people, including me, as they expect to have the same story on the screen as they were told in the book. But in the end I said, let's give it a try. This was one good decision. From the first 10 minutes you can already tell that this will be a great adaptation. The scene (I didn't know back then that it was actually filmed in China) recreated the splendor of Afghanistan before it was devastated by the wars. Amir and Hassan were exactly as I've imagined, even if in my imagination Hassan was the bigger from the two of them. They play their roles marvelously, especially Hassan. Baba's character is also well chosen, faithful to the book. His appearance demands respect, his words denotes that he is a man who knows that in the world all that matters is to respect others and be fair-minded. It's very clear that the directors choose the actors very carefully in order to give life to characters from the book. A lot of people here complained that it's not 100% faithful to the book. I agree with that, but I also would like to add that it's almost impossible to include in a 2 hour movie all the details from a book, especially as this one. Still, the director tried to maintain the details and the story as much as possible and faithful to the book. Yes, in some cases there were minor deviations from the book, but it was there to allow the whole story to fit in a 2 hour movie. Especially the fight scene between Assaf and Amir was slightly modified in de-favour of the book, but this, in my opinion was also done to simplify the story. Also, Sohrab talks in the movie, while in the book he does not. It would have been very hard to explain everything that was written in the book around Sohrab if he was deaf-mute. I do not want to detail all the characters, but they all have played their role perfectly. Overall, this is a very good movie that everybody should watch. There are not so many movies that present so well the afghan people and their culture and recent history. If you have the possibility, do read the book. It's worth it.

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asef_gj

I have read "The Kite Runner" book before I see this movie. Seeing this film, I seriously doubted if the screen writer ever read this novel or even noticed what the story is about! I think, he totally changed the story somehow and made this great story to one of the typical below the normal Hollywood films! I believe the hole story was about Amirs extremely guilty conscience and the pain he suffered because of his ignorance during the rape of Hassan by Assef. However, it seem the respectful screen writer and director hardly mentioned this great kind of suffering during this film.

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orbcardinal

I read The Kite Runner for my English class and loved it so much that I went out and bought myself a copy. I'm not one for reading, and I could not put this book down. The characters and their development was very well thought out and so was the plot. It really hit you on an emotional level with some of the twists and surprises, and I liked how the ending wasn't a full resolution rather than a bittersweet compromise to what the main character would have wanted. The movie however was a little disappointing with a few things. First, Hassan was not accurately portrayed in the movie compared to how he was described in the book, which wouldn't be too much of a problem if it wasn't as important to the plot as it is in this book/movie (this was the biggest thing that bothered me about the movie). Second, the movie just in general missed some important details from the book that sometimes stood out, but if you haven't read the book, obviously you don't need to worry about that. However, in general I did really enjoy the movie. It had some very beautiful scenes, and for the more serious and sad scenes it did a good job at encompassing the emotion. I'm also a big fan of soundtracks, and the opening titles for this movie sold me immediately. This movie is certainly not a light-hearted one, but it does impact you on an emotional level and I would definitely recommend this movie.

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Yunyun Z

This movie is based on my favorite novel of the same name. It's a special and thought-provoking story, about redemption and humanity. You are presented with a vivid and mysterious view of Afghanistan. Amir and Hassan have grown up together in Kabul in Afghanistan. Amir is the young master of the house, the only child in the rich family. His mother dies in his delivery. Amir is smart, quiet and sensitive. He likes writing, and expresses his emotion in words. His father's recognition and love is important for him. Hassan is the son of the servant. He is loyal and brave. Amir's father loves him even more than Amir. Amir wants to be the winning kite runner to gain his father's love and accomplishment. Hassan helps him, but he runs into an evil boy on his way home. Amir witnesses Hassan being raped, but he does nothing. Amir avoids meeting Hassan anymore after that day. He does not know how to face Hassan. Because of this, he even lies to his father that Hassan steals his birthday gift. Even if Hassan knows everything, he is still loyal to Amir. He admits the theft. As Amir wishes, Hassan and his father move out.Amir and his father escape to the US due to the war with Russia. Amir graduates from university in the US, becomes a writer and gets married. Amir's life looks like getting smoother in America, away from the flames of war in Afghanistan. However, Hassan and his childhood never disappear from Amir's memory. The memory becomes even clearer with time. This tortures Amir. It is Amir's secret deep in his heart. His guilt tortures him all the time.Because of a call, Amir is back to Afghanistan. He finally knows his father's secret. Hassan is his brother. He finally understands all the things his father did were for redemption. Amir deeply regrets what he did to Hassan. Unfortunately, he has no chance to make up for it, because Hassan dies. Amir overcomes difficulties and even risks his life to rescue Hassan's son, Herabo. Herabo, the pitiful boy, is raped by the Taliban. He is autistic because of the hurt in his body and heart. Finally, Amir adopts Herabo and takes him back to the US. The movie draws in the viewer's heart. It is about friendship, family, betrayal and redemption. It also expresses the complaints of the wars and Afghanistan ethnic and religious issues. The author of the novel was awarded the first United Nations Humanitarian Award because of this book. I really feel it is a pity that the only Oscar this movie was nominated for was Best Original Soundtrack. It is the number one story in my heart.

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