User blog comment:Ryan1519/Write a review **SPOILER/@comment-1890385-20100217052146

I don't think a movie full of 12-year-olds would sell, at all. Have you seen them? All of them little kids with whiny voices running around waiting for puberty. What I think the book did was adapt the original novels to a more contemporary audience. This also creates a wider emotional appeal (explains why there is already a romantic foil) and wider connection base.

For those complaining about the movie not being like the book, find actors that are 12 years old and good.

The use of older characters creates a richer character background. The kids in the book exhibited traits of much older kids. By using older characters, more depth is added to the movie.