The Dark Tower: Stephen King film trashed by critics

The long-awaited big screen adaptation of Stephen King's fantasy series The Dark Tower has finally arrived on screens - but the early reviews won't make happy reading for fans.

The Western-tinged sci-fi saga, set in a mystical parallel universe called Mid-World, is a departure from King's famous brand of supernatural horror, but the books became a smash hit. Several critics have called the saga King's best work - an accolade unlikely to be given to the new film adaptation any time soon.

"It's rare a film so convoluted manages to be so determinedly boring," says The Guardian's Charles Bramesco, calling it a "uniquely flavourless slog".

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The film is not quite as awful as rumours of confused test audiences and frenzied last-minute editing might have suggested, says the Hollywood Reporter.

But while the end result may be "satisfying enough to please many casual moviegoers drawn in by King's name and stars Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey", says the publication, "it will likely disappoint many serious fans and leave other newbies underwhelmed."

One fan summed up the first reviews in one savagely simple tweet:

In the 35 years since the first volume appeared in 1982, the series has built up a devoted following. Fan anticipation for the big-screen adaptation was understandably high - and their disappointment at the critical rubbishing the film has received was equally intense:

Even the trailer left audience stupefied, according to one journalist:

Several critics and viewers noted that the failure of the film to develop a distinctive and detailed universe - one of the most beloved features of King's sprawling saga - was a particular weak point:

For others, the gravitas of King's original prose seemed to get lost in translation to the big screen, leading to some unintentional comedy:

It's not all bad news for Sony studios, though - the odd cinematic masochist confessed that the critical kicking had actually piqued their interest:

Still, it's reassuring to know that amid the whirlwind of frustration and disappointment, there are still a few naive optimists out there: