First a book, now a movie. That's usually how these things go, right? "Paper Towns" was originally a book written by John Green back in 2008, but many people (myself included) are just reading it now, thanks to the new movie. I really enjoyed the book, and although I found it a bit dull around the middle, I loved the humor and sarcasm of the characters. Most of them felt very relatable, which I always love. Plus, nobody had cancer, and nobody died! Thanks, John Green :)

For those who have not seen/read/heard of Paper Towns, here is the five-second-summary: Young boy (Quentin) and girl (Margo), bffs, grow apart, girl becomes super-popular-queen-diva-adventurous-wanderlust-teen-trying-to-find-herself-ruler-of-school-that-everyone-envies, boy remains nerdy and relatively a "play by the rules" type of dude, boy still loves girl, girl lures boy in with lovely adventure, proceeds to go "missing," leaves clues, boy and friends follow clues...and then the ending happens. Don't worry, the spoilers come later. But you get the gist of it.

Having finished the book about 24 hours before seeing the film, I noticed many, many things that were different, and although most of them bothered me, the ending did not. More on that later, but for now, here is my personal review of "Paper Towns," the movie.

**CAUTION, SPOILERS AHEAD!**

I would like to start this review by saying how RIDICULOUSLY impressed I was with the young doppelgangers playing little Margo and little Quentin. I mean, was there a shrink ray involved or something? Nice job, casting people! I would have loved to see their young relationship get a bit more screen time, but it set a great foundation for the film.

For those of you who read the book, you will recall that one of the first major events is when Margo sneaks into Q's room after she has not really spoken to him for years, asks to borrow him and his car, and they go on a whirlwind of 11 adventures. I loved this part of the book; it showed the spontaneity of Margo Roth Spiegelman, and the nervous attitude Quentin starts off with. The movie, however, cuts her list down to nine important things, and completely omits them breaking into SeaWorld...which was something I was looking forward to seeing. Next time, Willy, next time.

Luckily, the movie kept the scene wherein Margo and Q break into the Sun Trust building and observe their town; their "paper town." Which I thought looked pretty cool, tbh. The movie added a moment where the two share a dance, only furthering the strain on us as audience members, who are pining for the two to get together. Oh, Hollywood, how you and John Green pull at our fragile heartstrings. Well, at least no one dies.

And, cue Q's friends! (ha, ha). Again, the casting crew did an excellent job at casting people who look like they would actually be in high school! Except for Margo, and at times her "bff" Lacey (the blonde), these kids are believable high-schoolers. The awkward yet hilarious moments between the three boys make for some of the best parts of the movie! Especially the scene where the three of them sing "Gotta Catch 'Em All" before exploring the abandoned mini mall. Priceless!

The main part of the movie is when Margo inevitably vanishes, and leaves a couple of clues for Q to find her. At least that's what he thinks the clues are for. In the book, the entire middle section dragged on and on with Q trying to piece together just where Margo could be. In the movie, however, his friends and him figure it all out pretty quickly (thank goodness!). The process of deciphering the clues was fun to watch on screen, and Ben and Radar (Q's friends) make it hilarious.

Of course, there was also this scene. WHICH WAS JUST A DREAM! Another way the movie killed us. WE WERE ROOTING FOR YOU, MARGO&QUENTIN.

And how can I not mention this scene?

And this perfect cameo that will convince you that Augustus lives on. I like snakes, Augustus.

All in all, the movie was filled with funny moments, and stayed mostly true to the plot of the book...right up until the ending. In the book, Q and his friends finally track down Margo's whereabouts, dramatically skipping graduation to drive a million miles to get her. When they arrive, Margo is pretty evil and rude to them all, causing no one to want to see her, except of course Quentin. The book concludes with the saddening truth that Margo never wanted anyone to find her, and even though her and Q share the kiss WE HAVE BEEN WAITING THE ENTIRE BOOK FOR, they go their separate ways. That's how the book ends, and I was very unsatisfied with that.

The movie ending, on the other hand, is much more fitting, in my opinion. In the end, the movie shows the audience that Margo is not the perfect girl for Q, as much as we all would love a sequel of the two leading an adventurous life together. The movie ending focuses so much more on Q's main group of friends. Their friendship is displayed so eloquently, so real in the movie, that it makes me think of my friends. Margo is the main focus throughout the plot, yet at the end it really shows the importance of friendship, and that is what makes the movie wonderful. No, Q doesn't get a romantically happy ending like I had originally hoped, but he gets something so much more important. Cheesy? Oh well, at least nobody died.