Thoughts: OotP Movie
Last night I was too tired to post my instant feedback on HP5 the movie. My overall impression was that it was really good--one of my favorites. Probably second to PoA, my favorite book and movie. Before my note-like review points, I want to make the disclaimer that of course we all know the movie can't really capture everything about a book that is approximately (and I'm rounding because the book's not in front of me) 7,500 pages long. It can never please all of the millions of fans. My notes are not real criticism, but stuff I wish the movie could've captured, but which were probably sacrificed for other moments. I understand that.
Loves
Characters: Luna, Neville, Tonks, Bellatrix, Snape, Dean (HOT...so hot.) Luna was perfection. My precious Snape never gets enough movie time, but he is also absolutely perfect and (dare I say it) sexy in the time that he gets. I loved Bella's witchy laugh and general crazy-ass-scary-bitchyness. Rock on.
Daniel's (and Others') Acting: Bravo. He did so well wrestling with Harry's conflicted emotions. I'm convinced that after living his life as Harry Potter, Daniel has become him in a way. In general the acting was really strong overall. I'm so glad that the HP movies aren't campy and overdramatic.
Lack of Malfoy: Felton fans have been crying since the second movie, but like it or not, Malfoy is a lame character. He doesn't even get a second dimension til the 6th book. Fandom Malfoy, however, is superior--I hope Rowling makes her character more of what fandom wants for "Draco" in Hallows.
Magic!: The effects were all so good and fun. From the twins' Apparating to Voldemort's fucking awesome glass shower, the magic made this movie thrilling.
Harry/Voldemort Bond: This was indeed the theme of Book 5, and I'm glad the director gave it weight. I liked the neck twitching. How did other people feel about it?
Harry/Cho Kiss: Yeah...get it, Harry!
Sirius' Death:: Just how I imagined it in the book. BUT without the import (discussed later).
Lack of CAPLOCK: the one thing the movie really did better than the book. I think Harry was the correct about of emo-bitch toward his friends and the world without becoming annoying and unrelatable to the audience, which is how I felt reading OotP.
So/So
The Order: Eh. There wasn't a lot of them. I seem to remember their wheelin' & dealin' as more important-seeming in the book, but whatever. Tonks looks so young. How is Lupin/Tonks going to fly in the movie?
Twins' Grande Exeunt: "Give em hell for us?!" Where the fuck was that?! They didn't have to mention Peeves, just have that line! This part didn't come close to the soaring liberation and vindication it inspired in the book.
Umbridge: She's one of my favorite minor HP characters because, like Rita Skeeter, you love to hate her. Her throat clear was really cute, as was her office, but I just didn't feel her fiery Nazi sting.
The Darkness: Bad times, bad times, we get it! But the eerie, alien, green glow lighting was not all that.
Cho: She's okay. Hotter, which is good since she gets to kiss frickin Harry Potter.
Disappointing
Harrry/Sirius Bond: Sirius who? He gets so little movie time that it's hardly clear that he's Harry's surrogate father. Although the "Nice one, James!" in the Dept. of Mysteries garnered a huge internal "Aaaaw!!!" from me. You don't feel the power of his death like you do in the book. (Although I didn't feel it in the book at first because I didn't understand what was going on...)
Ginny: Step up ur game grrl! U gotsta be Harry's grrl in da nexxt movie! Bonnie's so bland anyone, especially Harry, would have trouble noticing her.
My Favorite Scene!: The Marauders when they were in school. I wish it could've been in the movie like it was in the book...cute, funny, real...not just used as a brief window into Snape's thoughts.
The Trio's Bond: It's clear they have great chemistry because they are realy friends. But there just aren't enough HRH moments in the movie, which is what I really treasure about the books.
Misc.
Best Line: Harry to Snape...what does he say? "Can't we have a break? We've been going all night?" (I have to look it up.) THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!
My Random Question: Why didn't they do the prophecy like in the book where it breaks and only Harry hears it?
Loves
Characters: Luna, Neville, Tonks, Bellatrix, Snape, Dean (HOT...so hot.) Luna was perfection. My precious Snape never gets enough movie time, but he is also absolutely perfect and (dare I say it) sexy in the time that he gets. I loved Bella's witchy laugh and general crazy-ass-scary-bitchyness. Rock on.
Daniel's (and Others') Acting: Bravo. He did so well wrestling with Harry's conflicted emotions. I'm convinced that after living his life as Harry Potter, Daniel has become him in a way. In general the acting was really strong overall. I'm so glad that the HP movies aren't campy and overdramatic.
Lack of Malfoy: Felton fans have been crying since the second movie, but like it or not, Malfoy is a lame character. He doesn't even get a second dimension til the 6th book. Fandom Malfoy, however, is superior--I hope Rowling makes her character more of what fandom wants for "Draco" in Hallows.
Magic!: The effects were all so good and fun. From the twins' Apparating to Voldemort's fucking awesome glass shower, the magic made this movie thrilling.
Harry/Voldemort Bond: This was indeed the theme of Book 5, and I'm glad the director gave it weight. I liked the neck twitching. How did other people feel about it?
Harry/Cho Kiss: Yeah...get it, Harry!
Sirius' Death:: Just how I imagined it in the book. BUT without the import (discussed later).
Lack of CAPLOCK: the one thing the movie really did better than the book. I think Harry was the correct about of emo-bitch toward his friends and the world without becoming annoying and unrelatable to the audience, which is how I felt reading OotP.
So/So
The Order: Eh. There wasn't a lot of them. I seem to remember their wheelin' & dealin' as more important-seeming in the book, but whatever. Tonks looks so young. How is Lupin/Tonks going to fly in the movie?
Twins' Grande Exeunt: "Give em hell for us?!" Where the fuck was that?! They didn't have to mention Peeves, just have that line! This part didn't come close to the soaring liberation and vindication it inspired in the book.
Umbridge: She's one of my favorite minor HP characters because, like Rita Skeeter, you love to hate her. Her throat clear was really cute, as was her office, but I just didn't feel her fiery Nazi sting.
The Darkness: Bad times, bad times, we get it! But the eerie, alien, green glow lighting was not all that.
Cho: She's okay. Hotter, which is good since she gets to kiss frickin Harry Potter.
Disappointing
Harrry/Sirius Bond: Sirius who? He gets so little movie time that it's hardly clear that he's Harry's surrogate father. Although the "Nice one, James!" in the Dept. of Mysteries garnered a huge internal "Aaaaw!!!" from me. You don't feel the power of his death like you do in the book. (Although I didn't feel it in the book at first because I didn't understand what was going on...)
Ginny: Step up ur game grrl! U gotsta be Harry's grrl in da nexxt movie! Bonnie's so bland anyone, especially Harry, would have trouble noticing her.
My Favorite Scene!: The Marauders when they were in school. I wish it could've been in the movie like it was in the book...cute, funny, real...not just used as a brief window into Snape's thoughts.
The Trio's Bond: It's clear they have great chemistry because they are realy friends. But there just aren't enough HRH moments in the movie, which is what I really treasure about the books.
Misc.
Best Line: Harry to Snape...what does he say? "Can't we have a break? We've been going all night?" (I have to look it up.) THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!
My Random Question: Why didn't they do the prophecy like in the book where it breaks and only Harry hears it?