OOTP movie (maybe spoilers)

[The Pelagic Argosy]

I saw this at midnight. I managed to stay awake, so that's a good sign.

People will say this movie was really dark, but I don't think was any darker than GoF. It was just more somber. The emphasis was on Harry's emotional journey. And, I must say, I was impressed with Dan Radcliffe's performance. It was his movie, and, for once, he wasn't upstaged by the special effects, set pieces, or even the other actors.

To be sure, the other characters weren't given much of a chance to steal the show. The only other memorable characters were Umbridge (I don't want to see anything pink for awhile *gags*) and Luna (sweet and creepy at the same time.) The thestrals were included, but after Buckbeak, they weren't all that. While the mood was somber, the pacing was deceptively fast. The movie didn't stop to linger over anything. Even Ron and Hermione faded into the background a bit. This kiss with Cho was anti-climatic. A few things were cut, but I don't think anyone will be offended by the cuts, like in POA. Unfortunately, despite the new emphasis on the acting, I wasn't deeply moved by anything.

So, I was both impressed and disappointed at the same time. (Could I be any more vague?)

 

[purple_kathryn]

I'm just a total state of excitement at the minute it - it's really quite sad for a woman of my age.

Got my tickets booked for tomorrow (hurrah) and my copy of DH pre ordered via amazon

I just wish I could avoid people talking about it because it's making the anticipation even worse!

 

[mirinda]

I'm going to see it next friday with my friend. Needless to say i'm excited!!!

 

[HoopyFrood]

Blimey, I've lost track of the days! I was just thinking to myself "How are all these people watching the film already?" then realised it's the 12th tomorrow (or already is the 12th for some!) Ah, how time flies...

I don't know when I'll watch it, but watch it I will because my sister drags me along, using me as an excuse so she can go and watch it. I only ever watch the films once though, at the cinema, and then that's enough for me.

 

[xander838]

I already have my tickets booked, but still have 13 hours to wait until the first showing i can get to

 

[Majimaune]

People don't get too excited about the movie really. Have low expectations and it will be good. If, like mine, they are relatively high, drop them now! It wasn't the greatest movie.

Luna was great and I was just annoyed at Umbridge most of the time. Filch was pretty good this time though and so was Radcliffe. Didn't have enough Malfoy in it for my liking seeing as whatsisname that plays him is just awesome. Personally I am with everything else that TPA said. It was a good movie though, just not the greatest.

 

[Commonmind]

I think keeping the focus on Harry was a smart move. In the other movies Harry was, at times, lost in the shuffle as the director's attempted to elaborate on as many plot-points as possible throughout the (relatively constricting) running time of the film. Trying to stay true to the books on too large a scale ruins movies like these, and I'm glad Yates had a "set" on him and cut out the parts of the story that were not crucial to developing the on-screen plot. With Harry in the foreground, I thought the movie was therefore more cohesive and didn't tie itself in knots. Ultimately it felt more like a "Harry Potter" film - after all, he is the focus of the stories, and losing him behind a curtain of other characters takes the audience away from the main protagonist and his plight.

 

[Majimaune]

I thought the whole book was nonessential. It hardly moved anywhere so the movie did quite a good job of the book but it was just *searches for right word* boring in places.

 

[The Upright Man]

i am pissed off that sirius' death wasn't a big deal to harry...it was like...oh noo he's dead, meh on with the film...same goes with The Kiss..nuttin happened rele...firenze dint show up in it...it left hell of a lot of important plot points that that are crucial with later books and films.

ther was even hardly any point of having 12 Grimauld Place as it was never mentioned as being called that at all in the film..they showed fcuk all of mrs black and the rest of the house and THEY LEFT OUT THE FINDING OF THE LOCKET!!!!

the bit i did enjoy enourmously was the showing of aberfourth and the goat in the hog's head

 

[PTeppic]

There was always going to be a huge problem condensing c. 9-10 hours of material (well, that's how long it takes me to read it) into a 150 minute movie. What we have to hang on to is that nothing crucial will have been left out, as JKR has said she gives hints to the script writers. There will be other ways round anything that is missed, or that it can be overlooked. In this case, the locket is obviously one of those things.

Despite, or because of the massive scything of the plot, and sub-plots, there is so much cut that it's hard to know where to start commenting. Conversely, some of the lines we did get might be telling: Luna's last line, that things we thought lost can turn up again. Anyone else find that oddly precognitive for maybe book 7? (Guess we'll find out in 6 days!) As it was, I was surprised they bothered including Luna, since they missed the whole Quibbler sub-plot (not least due to the severe reduction of Rita Skeeter's part); it was almost as though they included her to keep things fresh and new (thinking aloud: but she was needed for the finale at the Ministry, and to also be able to see the Thestrals etc.).

The biggest thing I find with the HP films is that I know what's coming, or meant to be coming. I did something similar with Star Wars: Phantom Menace: I read the book of the screenplay before my first showing and it meant there was no surprise, no wonder, less joy, less excitement. I suspect it's the same with HP. I'm so busy following the plot in my head, remembering/predicting what's next, realising something's been cut etc., that I don't enjoy the film so much. I can't knock it too much: it's a great attempt at condensing Phoenix into a single movie and I thoroughly enjoyed it. But not as much as some of the others this summer.

 

[Majimaune]

I think that if you hadn't read/listened to the book then you would have been lost at some things. I agree with Upright. They left out a couple of what we think at this point are crucial plot points. We don't know for sure if the locket is importent.

 

[Markida]

The only thing that annoyed me is there wasn't nearly enough of Tonks in it, as, aside from Sirius, she is my favourite character, and the actoress that portrayed her did a fantastic job. Although I'm glad they included Kreacher, but I know that he was left out of the original draft but JK demanded the script writers add him as he will be crucial latter on.

 

[Majimaune]

Yes I thought Tonks was good. I didn't know that about Kretcher though. He is hardly in it.

 

[Alia]

I think keeping the focus on Harry was a smart move. In the other movies Harry was, at times, lost in the shuffle as the director's attempted to elaborate on as many plot-points as possible throughout the (relatively constricting) running time of the film. Trying to stay true to the books on too large a scale ruins movies like these, and I'm glad Yates had a "set" on him and cut out the parts of the story that were not crucial to developing the on-screen plot. With Harry in the foreground, I thought the movie was therefore more cohesive and didn't tie itself in knots. Ultimately it felt more like a "Harry Potter" film - after all, he is the focus of the stories, and losing him behind a curtain of other characters takes the audience away from the main protagonist and his plight.

I agree with you Commonmind. After watching the movie this last weekend I can say that it really did develop the "Potter" character nicely. If you think about something that Sirius said in the movie about the fear that they all had when Voldemort was alive the first time you could see how the fear was manifested through Harry coping with the lost of a friend. I remember having this same discussion with others when the book came out on how dark Harry has became... this movie fits that pattern. Harry is struggling and it showed. He felt abonded by his friends and his mentor, Dumbledore. This ladies and gents is the building of Harry's rage for the final book/movie when he needs all the courage he can get to fight Voldemort.

i am pissed off that sirius' death wasn't a big deal to harry...it was like...oh noo he's dead, meh on with the film...same goes with The Kiss..nuttin happened rele...firenze dint show up in it...it left hell of a lot of important plot points that that are crucial with later books and films.

Upright... I totally disagree with you. I believe that Harry was extremely upset about Sirius's death. The thing is... he had to struggle, an inner struggle and he won. Did you miss that part of the movie? Or you were looking for Harry to take revenge? *shakes head* that is NOT what Harry Potter is about.

On my personal notes... I love all the pink and the cats... Instantly I thought 'Where's Barbie?'

Luna Lovegood was the best character! I adored her, but wasn't she suppose to be wearing glasses? I love her voice and I didn't find her creepy at all. I think, just as in the books, she was a great inspiration to Harry. She was needed and it was awesome she stood beside him, helping him and the others fight against the death eaters in the end. I hope to see more of her in the last book!

Overall... it was a great movie! I'm definitely going to see it again! This time I'll take the kids!)

 

[Alia]

Btw, it makes me wonder why they left out the mirrors. It was always a theory I had that Sirius wasn't really dead and that Harry and him could communicate with the mirrors. *shrugs* Just a thought.

 

[The Pelagic Argosy]

The biggest thing I find with the HP films is that I know what's coming, or meant to be coming. I did something similar with Star Wars: Phantom Menace: I read the book of the screenplay before my first showing and it meant there was no surprise, no wonder, less joy, less excitement. I suspect it's the same with HP. I'm so busy following the plot in my head, remembering/predicting what's next, realising something's been cut etc.,

I know what you mean. This is the first time I've seen a HP movie after reading the book first, so a lot of the suspense was dampened. I had the same problem in reverse while reading the first four books. OOTP was the first book where I could really admire Rowling's knack for suspense, because I didn't know what was coming.

As for Kreacher, I heard that he was added at Rowling's request, because he will be important in the last book.

 

[PTeppic]

I had heard the same about Kreacher - and given how little he matters in Prince, it had to be Hallows. There were several other things I thought she might have wanted instead (like the locket) but if she wanted Kreacher, given that his main part in the deception at the end is removed, it really must be so we know who he is for the last film.

 

[Majimaune]

Yes if she got Kretcher put in why didn't she get the locket, maybe the mirrors (I don't think that theory is any good) and other stuff. It could mean that everything is redundant.

 

[The Upright Man]

The thing is... he had to struggle, an inner struggle and he won. Did you miss that part of the movie? Or you were looking for Harry to take revenge? *shakes head* that is NOT what Harry Potter is about.

yes i must have missed that part as sirius died and BAM!! within seconds he chases bella for revenge...the question is...DID YOU MISS THE CRUCIO?

 

[Majimaune]

Hey Upright, long time no speak.

I didn't miss the crucio though it was poorly done that little part.