This is a question of relevance. I would agree with you, Chris, that since the film is based on the book and does manage to follow the main plot points that the novel's comparison should weigh in the argument... and that would be the case if the film made some incredible gross derivation from the core of the novel. But from your review and from what I've read, it does not.

So what are you trying to say? That the film should not be judged on its own merits but in comparison to the novel only? Or that one can only judge or critique the film if one has read the book? Do you really want to go down that road? Remember your previous stands on this subject...