I have only read through Book 1 of the novel, and that was six years ago, so that is my comparison point.
Taylor Schilling pulls off the role of Dagney Taggart. She is much younger than I imagined Taggart, but she has the right look. James Taggart is also too young, but Matthew Marsden is effective. He is a different James Taggaert, less pathetic, and more conniving. As soon as I saw Jsu Garcia, I knew it was Francisco D'Anconia. Garcia is 47, but looks 27, so I thought he looked too young. But he looks like what I expected D'Anconia to look like. He has less bravado, but he is not a major character at this point. Grant Bowler nails Hank Rearden, as does Rebecca Wisocky as Lillian Rearden. Michael Lerner is an excellent Wesley Mouch.
Much of the acting was good. Some was stilted, and I think the fact the filming was done in only four weeks shows in spots.
Overall the cinematography was good. There was some heavy use of stock footage, which was understandable due to the budget and the limited time. For example, the stock footage of hot metal being rolled was not interesting, but the reflection in the window as Rearden watched was excellent.
The special effects are pretty good. The initial parts of the John Galt line test look fake (clearly green screen), but the wide angle shots look great, and the bridge crossing is perfect. Also, the bluish, gleaming Rearden Metal rails look great juxtaposed beside the old brown rails.
The screenplay was done well. There was only one place I heard awkward language which could have been smoothed out. Using a near future timeline and an unspoken Middle East catastrophe causing skyrocketing oil prices leading to the collapse of the airlines and dependence on rail was brilliant. The use of television newscasts to introduce characters and topics was an excellent way of both making the film topical, introducing characters, and bringing complex subjects into the film. For example, Dagney watches Mouch announce the Equalization of Opportunity Act from the Capitol steps on live TV. This really helps accelerate the film.
Overall, I would give it three stars out of five. I think if they had more time and a little more money, it would have been a four. For the screenplay and adaptation, I would rate it four out of five. If they could have used a full two hours to put a little more into it, I might give the adaptation a five.
The Rearden Metal bridge produced gasps from the small audience. It was the one shot of true beauty in the film.