A series of eight doorstoper novels are reduced to a 95 minute movie, and the end results please neither casual nor rabid fans. By faithfully adapting none of the entries in the series the producers exhibited a shortsighted cash-grab philosophy that practicaly eliminates the possibility of any sequels as well. If you enjoy the novels, you won’t like this, and if you are unfamiliar with the books there are better films to spend your time with.