Deathly Hallows Part 1
So yes, last night I went to see Deathly Hallows Part 1. And I have some thoughts. I am suffering a time hangover today, however, so I probably won't be as articulate as I could be.
First of all, the major draw for me to go was the fandom aspect. I'm finding any excuse to put on a Hogwarts robe and act silly with other people to be rewarding in and of itself. The fact that the HP-NYC people are all so enthusiastic, fun-loving, and entertaining just amps that up.
I also got to run around with a tape recorder and ask people questions. We'll see what/if any of it winds up in snapecast, but it was a convenient excuse to talk to strangers. Plus, I ran into someone from the HP Lexicon Forum (my first foray into HP fandom) who was but a young teenager at the time and now he's a grown adult! So this was sort of sweet.
Anyway, Deathly Hallows was not my favorite book. Truth be told, I only read it the once and have not gone back. So there was loads I'd forgotten. There were parts I did like, however, and most of them were in the first half of the book. I loved the angsty, suspenseful wind-up as Voldemort truly came into his own. I loved the chapter when Harry and Hermione visit Godric's Hollow because the scene with Nagini in a Bathilda Bagshot suit was right out of a horror film as it played in my mind's eye. The camping, well, not so much. But Malfoy Manor. And Luna's room. And Dudley thanking Harry. And Snape impersonating the Lady of the Lake. These were touches that stuck with me. It's just that the second half of the book was Titanic-like. Which means if I was going to like either of the DH films, the likelihood would be the first one. And even though the films have not had the best track record, it kinda didn't matter. I was going to be among fans and get swept up in the moment. And I did! And it was fun. Oh, and my students totally asked me if I was wearing a "Harry Potter tie" in class, which lead to an amusing conversation about leisure time and having a work/life balance.
So, right, the film. It was, dare I say it . . . good! Visually, it was stunning. The animation during the Deathly Hallows storytelling was breathtaking. The mountain/camping scenes featured some gorgeous scenery. The pacing was good. Many important story points were hit. I actually enjoyed myself. Of course, I am also the only person I know who didn't rage at HBP. But experience has taught me not to get too hung up on film expectations matching the book too closely. A lot rolls off my back, frankly. I choose no to get worked up, as life is too short for me to garner genuine rage over a movie.
But in a more detailed fashion? Here are some pro/con points:
* Dudley doesn't say something to Harry - though I wonder if they were avoiding a close-up since the actor lost so much weight he doesn't look like the same person. But I felt the absence of what was for me an emotionally powerful, healing scene between the two boys.
* No peacocks at Malfoy Manor. And Lucius' dark stubble didn't look right with the blond hair. Are they not able to bleach stubble? I don't know, I'm not a makeup/hair color artist. But it bugged me a little. However, Snape's entrance through the gates was rather intense and full of pretty.
* Snape does not get "credit" for slicing off a twin's ear. This was one of those subtle things that gets reinterpreted later in the book. So, is it just me or does it seem like Snape was the one lingering at the rear and killed off Hedwig? Hagrid (or was it Harry?) later suggests Hedwig 'gave it away' that he was the real Harry. So this has potential as making up for that loss.
* We knew Snape would have very little screen time. This was one of several major faults with the last book. But what scenes he had were excellent. Especially the billowing robes up the stairs. Gorgeous. However, the hair? Eeep. Windswept feathered bob - NOT Snape.
* Kreacher doesn't tell his tragic tale of abuse. I really felt that to be a major flaw as he exemplifies the depths of Voldemort's cruelty
* No Luna's bedroom. Oh but gosh I wanted to see it. BOOO. However - Xenophelius Lovegood? Um, remove the hippy garb and am I the only one who thought he was kinda cute? Well, I will certainly check out the actor and see what else he's been in.
* Bill Weasley - really well cast. He was both cute and looks like he could be related to the twins. No problems there. But when the trio left the wedding, I think there was a continuity error because you don't see Hermione carrying her bag of holding right away.
* Ministry infiltration scene - the actors playing the polyjuice trio were fantastic - especially the woman playing Hermione. Her facial expressions were priceless. Umbridge got under my skin in the right way. And I was glad to see her cat patronus. But I really wish they'd given Harry a throwaway line about Moody's eye in her door. And the trio's escape from the Ministry was a little hard to swallow. They really should have been caught with so many people in that crowded a hallway.
* Horcrux Harry and Hermione - tacky effect. It visually resembled that scene in Lord of the Rings where Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) puts on the ring briefly. Except that was intense, and this was . . . not. I would have preferred they taunt Ron and snog in front of him in a more realistic manner. That said, there was a nice bit of sexual tension in the tent at one point. I don't know if I could ever see DanRad as a viable sexual leading actor, but the awkward moment where he wants (and fails) to try it on with Hermione was well done.
* I was pleased to see John Hurt reprise his role. But the jail cell in the basement just seemed a little too big for my taste. I had imagined a tightly cramped, dark space. Not the caverns of the Bat Cave.
So there you have it. Some listy semblance of a critique. I was glad not to have reread the book as there were bits I'd forgotten. I do plan to see it again with a friend to see if my impressions change upon second viewing. But nothing can quite replace the celebratory atmosphere of a good line party. So even if the film had turned out to be utter shite, it would've been worth it just for the party.
And of course, it didn't hurt that I was in high spirits, revved up from having Noel Fielding and Phill Jupitus say my name and discuss my question on the Buzzcocks QT
First of all, the major draw for me to go was the fandom aspect. I'm finding any excuse to put on a Hogwarts robe and act silly with other people to be rewarding in and of itself. The fact that the HP-NYC people are all so enthusiastic, fun-loving, and entertaining just amps that up.
I also got to run around with a tape recorder and ask people questions. We'll see what/if any of it winds up in snapecast, but it was a convenient excuse to talk to strangers. Plus, I ran into someone from the HP Lexicon Forum (my first foray into HP fandom) who was but a young teenager at the time and now he's a grown adult! So this was sort of sweet.
Anyway, Deathly Hallows was not my favorite book. Truth be told, I only read it the once and have not gone back. So there was loads I'd forgotten. There were parts I did like, however, and most of them were in the first half of the book. I loved the angsty, suspenseful wind-up as Voldemort truly came into his own. I loved the chapter when Harry and Hermione visit Godric's Hollow because the scene with Nagini in a Bathilda Bagshot suit was right out of a horror film as it played in my mind's eye. The camping, well, not so much. But Malfoy Manor. And Luna's room. And Dudley thanking Harry. And Snape impersonating the Lady of the Lake. These were touches that stuck with me. It's just that the second half of the book was Titanic-like. Which means if I was going to like either of the DH films, the likelihood would be the first one. And even though the films have not had the best track record, it kinda didn't matter. I was going to be among fans and get swept up in the moment. And I did! And it was fun. Oh, and my students totally asked me if I was wearing a "Harry Potter tie" in class, which lead to an amusing conversation about leisure time and having a work/life balance.
So, right, the film. It was, dare I say it . . . good! Visually, it was stunning. The animation during the Deathly Hallows storytelling was breathtaking. The mountain/camping scenes featured some gorgeous scenery. The pacing was good. Many important story points were hit. I actually enjoyed myself. Of course, I am also the only person I know who didn't rage at HBP. But experience has taught me not to get too hung up on film expectations matching the book too closely. A lot rolls off my back, frankly. I choose no to get worked up, as life is too short for me to garner genuine rage over a movie.
But in a more detailed fashion? Here are some pro/con points:
* Dudley doesn't say something to Harry - though I wonder if they were avoiding a close-up since the actor lost so much weight he doesn't look like the same person. But I felt the absence of what was for me an emotionally powerful, healing scene between the two boys.
* No peacocks at Malfoy Manor. And Lucius' dark stubble didn't look right with the blond hair. Are they not able to bleach stubble? I don't know, I'm not a makeup/hair color artist. But it bugged me a little. However, Snape's entrance through the gates was rather intense and full of pretty.
* Snape does not get "credit" for slicing off a twin's ear. This was one of those subtle things that gets reinterpreted later in the book. So, is it just me or does it seem like Snape was the one lingering at the rear and killed off Hedwig? Hagrid (or was it Harry?) later suggests Hedwig 'gave it away' that he was the real Harry. So this has potential as making up for that loss.
* We knew Snape would have very little screen time. This was one of several major faults with the last book. But what scenes he had were excellent. Especially the billowing robes up the stairs. Gorgeous. However, the hair? Eeep. Windswept feathered bob - NOT Snape.
* Kreacher doesn't tell his tragic tale of abuse. I really felt that to be a major flaw as he exemplifies the depths of Voldemort's cruelty
* No Luna's bedroom. Oh but gosh I wanted to see it. BOOO. However - Xenophelius Lovegood? Um, remove the hippy garb and am I the only one who thought he was kinda cute? Well, I will certainly check out the actor and see what else he's been in.
* Bill Weasley - really well cast. He was both cute and looks like he could be related to the twins. No problems there. But when the trio left the wedding, I think there was a continuity error because you don't see Hermione carrying her bag of holding right away.
* Ministry infiltration scene - the actors playing the polyjuice trio were fantastic - especially the woman playing Hermione. Her facial expressions were priceless. Umbridge got under my skin in the right way. And I was glad to see her cat patronus. But I really wish they'd given Harry a throwaway line about Moody's eye in her door. And the trio's escape from the Ministry was a little hard to swallow. They really should have been caught with so many people in that crowded a hallway.
* Horcrux Harry and Hermione - tacky effect. It visually resembled that scene in Lord of the Rings where Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) puts on the ring briefly. Except that was intense, and this was . . . not. I would have preferred they taunt Ron and snog in front of him in a more realistic manner. That said, there was a nice bit of sexual tension in the tent at one point. I don't know if I could ever see DanRad as a viable sexual leading actor, but the awkward moment where he wants (and fails) to try it on with Hermione was well done.
* I was pleased to see John Hurt reprise his role. But the jail cell in the basement just seemed a little too big for my taste. I had imagined a tightly cramped, dark space. Not the caverns of the Bat Cave.
So there you have it. Some listy semblance of a critique. I was glad not to have reread the book as there were bits I'd forgotten. I do plan to see it again with a friend to see if my impressions change upon second viewing. But nothing can quite replace the celebratory atmosphere of a good line party. So even if the film had turned out to be utter shite, it would've been worth it just for the party.
And of course, it didn't hurt that I was in high spirits, revved up from having Noel Fielding and Phill Jupitus say my name and discuss my question on the Buzzcocks QT