Stargate Archives

Sunday 26 June 2022

Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett

 

Moving Pictures (Discworld #10)Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What would Hollywood be like if it was on the Discworld, well we find out in Moving Pictures when the "wild idea" is released and not for the first time upon the disc. First it captures the imaginations of the alchemists who soon come up with projectors, cameras and film plus bang-grains which seem to be the ideal food for watching moving pictures. The deserted coast of Holywood is now the home to the rapidly expanding industry and draws in Dwarves, Trolls and any other who has something to contribute be it behind the scenes (Dibbler as a movie mogul) or in front of the camera or simply waiting for their big break by holding horses or waiting tables.
Victor Tugelbend (Victor Maraschino) a student wizard is drawn towards Holywood after watching a moving picture in Ankh-Morpork, he has the right "look" for the movies and soon along with Theda Withel (Ginger) become the defacto stars of the silver screen and the only couple who could front the epic "Blown Away". However when reality is manipulated by the moving pictures it reacts in the same way as when influenced by magic and the denizens of the dungeon dimensions take notice...
Moving Pictures is a fun read, well paced and entertaining from start to finish. We are given a direct analogy of a real world entity upon the disc which is something Terry adopts with gusto in later books and well it all works so well. The level of imagination on the page is truly impressive cumulating in a set piece that echoes the very best of what Hollywood has provided over the decades and let's not forget Gaspode makes an appearance.
Yeah I liked this novel but only 4 stars because there is better to come.

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