HP Movie 5
Jul. 14th, 2007 05:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tarotgalNo spoilers in post... just generalizations. If you have spoilers in your reply, PLEASE label them as such, but it might be best not to read any replies if you haven't seen the movie yet, just to be safe.
I woke up on a Saturday at 8:30 for this movie. THAT is saying a lot!! I got to the movie theater around 9:30 in order to get tickets for the 10:30 show... quite a few showings were already sold out when I got there, but there were still tickets available for the 10:30, thankfully. However, the ticket counter wasn't open yet. LOL So I went back to the parking structure, drove to World Market, and tried to find two things I wanted to give my sister for her birthday. They didn't have one of the two (grr) but one is better than none, and I also bought a package of Harry Potter Jelly slugs to eat while reading the book next weekend. Yayness! I went back to the parking garage, took the elevator up to the movie theaters, and the counter still hadn't opened, but this time there were people standing about waiting. I ended up being fourth in line, but there wasn't much of a crowd, luckily. I got a lemonade and then found a seat a little less than halfway up, dead center, with no one in front of me and three women all wearing black Marauders t-shirts behind me. Can't do better than that! The theater ended up being somewhere between a third and halfway full.
Anyway, the movie. Yates is my new hero. Definitely the best of the movies, without a doubt. I loved the art direction, I loved the script- there are a lot of things I wish were in there, but I can understand why they were cut. There were 3 things I really, really, really wish had been in there and am sad they were not. There is one thing I'm glad they took out. There is one thing that was in there I am EXTREMELY torn about. But in all, I think they did a BRILLIANT job with this one. There's absolutely no comparison between it and the train wreck that was the third movie, for example. I thought they were sensitive to the characters, as faithful to canon as they could be, and it had a LOT more funny moments than I'd expected! That was plesantly surprising. Another surprise was that I cried through during a lot of parts but Sirius' actual death wasn't one of them. Not that I wasn't sad- I definitely cried at Harry's (and Lupin's) reaction(s) but that moment was done SO well, for what it was. I'm VERY happy with the movie. Cheers!
I'm glad I went to see it this morning, instead of waiting until whenever the hell my family gets its act together to see it at an Imax. I'm sure it's nice in an Imax, but the theater I went to was perfectly fine- enormous screen, big reclinging seats, a kickass sound system that comes from all around the theater. I'm not at all disappointed about not waiting until we can get to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum to see it.
I stayed until the very end of the credits, just in case there was an extra scene; there wasn't. But on my way out, I was shocked to see the entrance to the theater was blocked off by a cord and a movie theater employee. He let me out, of course, but the cord was there to keep people from going in. There were two groups of people, lining the walls outside. Made me EXTREMELY glad that I'd pulled myself out of bed so early to see the first showing of the day, that's for sure! It's much more plesant being able to sit back and stretch out and not worry about a huge crowd... though there were a NUMBER of scenes where everyone laughed or clapped, so it was nice to see it early on with fans, too. I didn't have to be completely quiet with my reactions.
I woke up on a Saturday at 8:30 for this movie. THAT is saying a lot!! I got to the movie theater around 9:30 in order to get tickets for the 10:30 show... quite a few showings were already sold out when I got there, but there were still tickets available for the 10:30, thankfully. However, the ticket counter wasn't open yet. LOL So I went back to the parking structure, drove to World Market, and tried to find two things I wanted to give my sister for her birthday. They didn't have one of the two (grr) but one is better than none, and I also bought a package of Harry Potter Jelly slugs to eat while reading the book next weekend. Yayness! I went back to the parking garage, took the elevator up to the movie theaters, and the counter still hadn't opened, but this time there were people standing about waiting. I ended up being fourth in line, but there wasn't much of a crowd, luckily. I got a lemonade and then found a seat a little less than halfway up, dead center, with no one in front of me and three women all wearing black Marauders t-shirts behind me. Can't do better than that! The theater ended up being somewhere between a third and halfway full.
Anyway, the movie. Yates is my new hero. Definitely the best of the movies, without a doubt. I loved the art direction, I loved the script- there are a lot of things I wish were in there, but I can understand why they were cut. There were 3 things I really, really, really wish had been in there and am sad they were not. There is one thing I'm glad they took out. There is one thing that was in there I am EXTREMELY torn about. But in all, I think they did a BRILLIANT job with this one. There's absolutely no comparison between it and the train wreck that was the third movie, for example. I thought they were sensitive to the characters, as faithful to canon as they could be, and it had a LOT more funny moments than I'd expected! That was plesantly surprising. Another surprise was that I cried through during a lot of parts but Sirius' actual death wasn't one of them. Not that I wasn't sad- I definitely cried at Harry's (and Lupin's) reaction(s) but that moment was done SO well, for what it was. I'm VERY happy with the movie. Cheers!
I'm glad I went to see it this morning, instead of waiting until whenever the hell my family gets its act together to see it at an Imax. I'm sure it's nice in an Imax, but the theater I went to was perfectly fine- enormous screen, big reclinging seats, a kickass sound system that comes from all around the theater. I'm not at all disappointed about not waiting until we can get to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum to see it.
I stayed until the very end of the credits, just in case there was an extra scene; there wasn't. But on my way out, I was shocked to see the entrance to the theater was blocked off by a cord and a movie theater employee. He let me out, of course, but the cord was there to keep people from going in. There were two groups of people, lining the walls outside. Made me EXTREMELY glad that I'd pulled myself out of bed so early to see the first showing of the day, that's for sure! It's much more plesant being able to sit back and stretch out and not worry about a huge crowd... though there were a NUMBER of scenes where everyone laughed or clapped, so it was nice to see it early on with fans, too. I didn't have to be completely quiet with my reactions.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-15 11:54 pm (UTC)I just have to say that I have been telling everyone that the new movie is my favorite of them all, and it feels really good to have many other readers of the book - yourself now included - in agreement.
If you could do it without spoiling the movie for others, I'd love to know what exactly you hoped they had included that they didn't, what you were glad they took out and what happened that you were torn about. I too have certain things I looked forward to seeing that not in the movie, and one particular twist with regards to a character that I was unhappy with, but overall, like you, I was delighted with the movie and very moved by it. It really bring a lot of emotions with it - I caught my breath with fear/apprehension, I smiled, chuckled and laughed out loud, I cried, I felt sympathy and pride for the characters...it was wonderful. I have now seen it twice and cannot wait for the release of DH. Perfect way to build up the anticipation!!
Patti
no subject
Date: 2007-07-16 12:48 am (UTC)I know what you mean about hearing movie fb from people who read the book and are huge fans... it's different from general movie reviews.
I just have to say that I have been telling everyone that the new movie is my favorite of them all, and it feels really good to have many other readers of the book - yourself now included - in agreement.
Yay! I agree! I'm glad you liked it as much as I did, too!
I too have certain things I looked forward to seeing that not in the movie, and one particular twist with regards to a character that I was unhappy with, but overall, like you, I was delighted with the movie and very moved by it.
I'd love to hear more of your thoughts, too :-)
If you could do it without spoiling the movie for others...
I can't... so SPOILER WARNING! DO NOT READ THESE COMMENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay... that being said:
there are a lot of things I wish were in there, but I can understand why they were cut- I would have liked Neville being able to see the thestrals, the mirror, more on the prophecy, and Percy's note to Ron about Harry. I'm always sad to see the Quidditch go, especially with Ron & Ginny on the team this year, but I can understand it being cut. Same with St. Mungos- it would have been great to see but it would have meant another set, bringing Kenneth back, and not furthering the plot at all. Tons of other little things like the centaur, Ginny's boyfriend, Rita's article, etc. also fall into this category.
There were 3 things I really, really, really wish had been in there and am sad they were not- 1-Christmas with Sirius' "God rest ye merry hippogriffs" and the R&S present to Harry
2-Harry's chat in the fire with Remus & Sirius about his dad and the Marauders
3-More of the young marauders (discussing their OWLs and interacting with Lily)
There is one thing I'm glad they took out- I never really liked the silliness in the battle scene. The baby-headed death eater, for example. I remember a conversation with my then boyfriend about it, who said it read as though JKR were writing specifically for a movie audience... only to find out that bit didn't make it to the movie, LOL I liked the battle scene MUCH better than described in the book- much darker and scarier without the weirdness thrown in, I thought (though I was sad the fountain didn't come to life).
I'm also glad Harry's date with Cho wasn't in there.
There is one thing that was in there I am EXTREMELY torn about- Sirius saying "Good one, James!" in the battle scene. Yipes. I don't know ho w to feel about it at all. I'm REALLY pissed about it... and at the same time they did need something else in there to communicate the fact that he sort of does think of Harry as James. Except I honestly don't think book!Sirius would EVER have made that slip, even in battle. I think he's constantly reminded that his best friend is dead and would never have hurt Harry like that, especially being his last line. But at the same time it's kind of in character... just an extreme version, and it brings a lot to his movie character... but I'm still pissed. AH! Yeah, I'm torn.
I know a lot of people haven't liked the fact that Cho is the one to betray them under the influence of the potion, making her angelic instead of kind of a "bad girl" sticking up for her friend in the book. Doesn't matter to me either way. In fact, I think it's kind of nice it wasn't her fault since they took out her friend; I don't think she should have to live with hurting Harry like that, even if it wasn't her fault. So, yeah, I don't mind that change at all.
I loved the family tree ROOM! I want to wallpaper my room in the most ancient and noble house of black now! heehee I didn't mind the difference in the betrayal of Kreacher, either. I think it worked all right in the movie. I was glad to see the photo, even if it was Sirius giving it to him and even if it was a bit OOC to have an Order photo up in the DA room.
I'm really eager to see the movie again, actually. I'm envious you've seen it twice!
no subject
Date: 2007-07-17 12:34 am (UTC)My very favorite chapter in OotP is "Snape's Worst Memory", so I too was hoping to see much more of the young Marauders and of Lily and the entire interaction that made up that chapter.
Other things I'd have liked to have pointed at least mentioned or shown in some way: Ron and Hermione becoming prefects, St. Mungo's (although I do see your point about it being more trouble than it was worth), Peeves showing up on film at long last in time to give the Weasley twins a salute, and the anger Harry felt in the final conversation with Dumbledore.
I didn't like it that Cho was seen as the one who turned in the DA, but like you, I didn't care that they left out the date scene. I do feel like her character got a worse rap than she deserves though...it didn't change the fact that in the end, her loyalties were other than with Harry.
My favorite scenes were those where Harry was teaching the DA. They made me feel happy for Harry and they made me so proud and hopeful for all those kids did/will accomplish.
I also loved the scenes with Sirius. I thought he looked better than ever in this movie, and the loving side he showed to Harry - little winks, nods of the head, warm embraces - just won my heart over even more.
See it again!
Patti
no subject
Date: 2007-07-17 12:52 am (UTC)Exactly. They're the first to call themselves berks back in the day... but James, Sirius, and Remus' hearts and loyalties can never be questioned.
My very favorite chapter in OotP is "Snape's Worst Memory", so I too was hoping to see much more of the young Marauders and of Lily and the entire interaction that made up that chapter.
Exactly. That scene is only second to the shack scene as my favorite. I'd seen several lovely production photos of the scene and wish it had been longer in the movie!
Other things I'd have liked to have pointed at least mentioned or shown in some way: Ron and Hermione becoming prefects
Absolutely. That's a huge step for Ron. Why couldn't they at least be wearing the badges?
St. Mungo's (although I do see your point about it being more trouble than it was worth)
I'm glad they managed that bit about Nev's parents in a very tender way even though the hospital was cut.
Peeves showing up on film at long last in time to give the Weasley twins a salute
"Give her Hell for us, Peeves!" I figured since they cut Peeves out of the previous movies, there was no hope of seeing him in this one. One of the reasons I still like the books better :-)
the anger Harry felt in the final conversation with Dumbledore
Oh gosh, yes. I'd forgotten that anger until I re-read it just a few hours ago. He deserved to be able to get pissed off.
I didn't like it that Cho was seen as the one who turned in the DA, but like you, I didn't care that they left out the date scene. I do feel like her character got a worse rap than she deserves though...it didn't change the fact that in the end, her loyalties were other than with Harry.
Oh! No no. That's not what happened in the movie, that's how it happens in the book!!
In the movie, she betrays them but only because she's under the influence of Veritus serum. In the movie, we're under the assumption that she never would have otherwise gone against Harry.
In the book, however, she completely stands up for her friend who snitches on the DA on purpose and thus comes out as a "bad girl" and that's one of the major reasons Harry stops liking her.
In the movie, however, she comes out as an angel who was manipulated by Umbridge. The actress has even said in interviews that she was disappointed about that since she was looking forward to being bad and standing against Harry. heehee
My favorite scenes were those where Harry was teaching the DA. They made me feel happy for Harry and they made me so proud and hopeful for all those kids did/will accomplish.
I've seen that patronus clip with Harry talking to them on all the talk shows and I always thought it seemed kind of silly/cheesy. But seeing it in context was completely different and very moving. I loved all the training, too :-) You're so right. I was just thinking today that Harry really would make a brilliant teacher.
I also loved the scenes with Sirius. I thought he looked better than ever in this movie, and the loving side he showed to Harry - little winks, nods of the head, warm embraces - just won my heart over even more.
Absolutely!!! The Harry/Sirius moments definitely stole the movie, and I'm very thankful for that. You're right that he looked great (of course, we saw so little of him in 4 and in 3 he was a dirty escapee...)