Buzz
The blockbuster adaptation of 'The Sandman' has been one of the hottest films since its release, receiving rave reviews from critics. However, despite the film's faithful adherence to the source material, fans still notice significant differences in both the plot and certain details compared to the original comic.
The main storyline is stitched together from various comic issues
The first part of The Sandman is adapted from the first 16 issues of the original into 10 complete episodes. The series is structured so that each episode tackles a different issue, hence many episodes are stitched together from various comic issues to make the storyline coherent and engaging.
For instance, episode 4 titled A Hope in Hell, recounts the journey of Dream (portrayed by Tom Sturridge) to Hell to retrieve his helmet - one of his powerful artifacts. To heighten the drama, this episode combines the storyline of Passengers - a subsequent event after A Hope in Hell where John Dee (portrayed by David Thewlis) escapes from the asylum to find a ruby - another lost artifact of Dream.
In episode 6 The Sound of Her Wings, there's a rather disjointed connection where the first half of the episode is adapted from the comic of the same name with Dream and his sister Death (portrayed by Kirby Howell-Baptiste) traveling and conversing about humanity. The latter half of the episode tells the centuries-long encounter of Dream with the immortal Hob Gadling (portrayed by Ferdinand Kingsley), adapted from Men of Good Fortune.
Some details have been altered compared to the original
In addition to rearranging the sequence of events, some details in the movie have also been changed from the original. For example, in the comic, the character Hal Carter (portrayed by John Cameron) never performed on stage, but in the movie, he is quite 'productive.' Author Neil Gaiman explained that comics are not the best medium to depict music.
Another detail is about the final conversation between Ethel Cripps (played by Joely Richardson) and her son John in the third episode. In the original, Ethel dies outside the main plot and leaves her amulet of protection to John. However, the film adds the detail that Ethel dies immediately after giving her amulet to John and loses the protection of the amulet.
Furthermore, some characters are still not sufficiently transformed to reflect their essence from the original, notably Despair and the antagonist Corinthian.
Not constrained by the main DC universe
Although adapted from a DC comic and produced by Warner Bros., The Sandman is a nearly independent film with few ties to the DC universe.
However, some details are characteristic of other storylines that fans may keenly recognize, such as John Dee being imprisoned at Arkham Asylum - where Batman usually detains most of his foes (often those with psychological issues). In other universes, John Dee is also known as Doctor Destiny, a figure with a grotesque appearance and plenty of sinister tricks.
Two other DC comic characters appearing in The Sandman are Lyta (portrayed by Razane Jammal) and Hector Hall (portrayed by Lloyd Everitt). In other storylines, they have their own superhero identities. However, in Netflix's new production, these two characters are explored in a different role in episode 9 The Doll's House.
According to MashableSE Asia
