Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince
So I finally saw the movie today and it was INCREDIBLE. I was worried because I've been thinking about this movie almost nonstop since the first trailer was shown. Would it live up to my expectations? Would it follow the book or be like Prisoner of Azkaban, my favorite book in the entire series, and completely throw what I knew out the window? Would I be as emotionally invested in the goings on as I was when I first read the book? So many questions. I also worried that I would psych myself out because I know what should be and I have a clear image in my head. Well it not only lived up to my expectations, it surpassed them.
Here is my review (Under a cut so that I give nothing away)
First let me get my rants out before I start gushing:
I hate Ginny. I hate Ginny. I hate Ginny. I hate Ginny. I hate Ginny. I hate Ginny. Did I mention I hate Ginny?
I wish they would stop giving Ron's lines to Hermione in the scripts. This isn't the first time I've been grumpy over the lack of respect the Ron character gets. The writers always remember when he does something "petty" or acts on his natural jealousy, etc. (he's a teenager. He is going to be hormonal.) The "negative" is always put in the movies. But they never remember that at the end of the day, Ron stands up/with/for/in front of his friends and family, the people he loves so fiercely. He is always the first to swallow his fears when Harry or Hermione need him. So as a Ron fan, it kills me to watch Hermione get handed Ron's bravery. It gives Ron-haters more ammo and makes the character look weak. He isn't weak at all. If Harry is the brawn, Hermione the brain, then Ron is the heart of the series.
The only other big gripe I had was the extra, added scenes that got put into the movie. Were they action packed? Yes. Did we need them to further the story? No. Not at all. The book has enough action that it really wasn't needed to add to the adventure.
Okay now what I loved:
SPOILERS ARE AHEAD...DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS THE ONLY WARNING I'M GOING TO GIVE, BECAUSE I MUST GUSH...EVEN IF IT'S ONLY TO MYSELF. *laughing*
The camera work, special effects, overall tone, the suspense...it was all amazing. I'm always slightly critical of these movies because I have been a fan of these books for so many years. I know these characters. I know what the tone should be. I know what I expect when I walk into the theater and it has been hit or miss with the movies if they live up to that. (I.E. I will never forgive the director of Azkaban for the hack job he did to that story. My favorite book and one of my least favorite movies of the series) This movie felt right. It fit with what I had in my mind. Not to mention some of the landscape scenes were absolutely breath-taking. The team put in charge of locations did a magificant job. So did the effects people.
Ron as keeper was just as I pictured. He was cocky and fun. As always he made me smile. There is a reason he is my favorite character. *grin* I also loved "high on love" Ron. *laughing* His parts brought the lightness the movie needed. Having read the books, I knew he would end up being poisoned, but it still made my heart clench at seeing him drop to the floor and start seizing. (Also props to the forming at the mouth) Seeing Hermione, right where she should always be, at Ron's side in the hospital made my heart melt. I'm such a Ron shipping whore, but Hermione will always be the one I most see him with. (Well it would be Harry, if both were gay. *blushes*) Weasley is definitely our king.
Loved Fred and George's store. *grin* It was even better than I pictured in my head. They weren't in the movie enough, but I understand that.
Luna. I just can't say enough about how much I love her. She is so out there, but at the same time is the most in tuned with everything. She can see into people's souls. Really get to the heart of the matter, because she doesn't concern herself with being like everyone else. I really don't think she is given enough credit. I also think people forget she's in Ravenclaw for a reason, much in the same way people forget that Neville is in Gryffindor for a reason, she's very intelligent...even if she is a little corky. *grin* In my heart she will always be Harry's perfect match. Oh and can I just show love for the lion's head she wears! Perfect!!!!
Oh one negative, that I didn't put in the "don't approve" pile because it's spoilerific, is the Snape scene with Dumbledore. I find it very unsettling how many hints to the big reveal in book seven this movie gave away. At one point I even looked at Adam in confusion. To those that have read the books, it was clear the screenwriters gave a HUGE plot secret away. I don't know how many people that don't read the books caught it, but I sure did. In fact it was pretty obvious in at least two or three scenes. *sigh*
I cried. Oh I so cried. I knew what would happen, but I cried anyway. Dumbledore's death was so horribly sad. It was hard to read about it and, for me, even worse to watch happen. Yes, I know the end. I know why it had to happen, but still it hurt.
I'm trying to get all of my thoughts together and it's proving difficult because I have so many. I think the main thing I took away from this, is I'm pleased with the road we are on. I'm waiting on baited breath (whatever that really means) for the next chapter, the next adventure. We are so close to the end and it both thrills and saddens me to think about watching the final credits roll on this series.
So that's my review for right now. I'm sure I'll re-read this later and think of about a hundred more things I want to say, but for the moment. I'm content. The rating for Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince- A
Here is my review (Under a cut so that I give nothing away)
First let me get my rants out before I start gushing:
I hate Ginny. I hate Ginny. I hate Ginny. I hate Ginny. I hate Ginny. I hate Ginny. Did I mention I hate Ginny?
I wish they would stop giving Ron's lines to Hermione in the scripts. This isn't the first time I've been grumpy over the lack of respect the Ron character gets. The writers always remember when he does something "petty" or acts on his natural jealousy, etc. (he's a teenager. He is going to be hormonal.) The "negative" is always put in the movies. But they never remember that at the end of the day, Ron stands up/with/for/in front of his friends and family, the people he loves so fiercely. He is always the first to swallow his fears when Harry or Hermione need him. So as a Ron fan, it kills me to watch Hermione get handed Ron's bravery. It gives Ron-haters more ammo and makes the character look weak. He isn't weak at all. If Harry is the brawn, Hermione the brain, then Ron is the heart of the series.
The only other big gripe I had was the extra, added scenes that got put into the movie. Were they action packed? Yes. Did we need them to further the story? No. Not at all. The book has enough action that it really wasn't needed to add to the adventure.
Okay now what I loved:
SPOILERS ARE AHEAD...DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS THE ONLY WARNING I'M GOING TO GIVE, BECAUSE I MUST GUSH...EVEN IF IT'S ONLY TO MYSELF. *laughing*
The camera work, special effects, overall tone, the suspense...it was all amazing. I'm always slightly critical of these movies because I have been a fan of these books for so many years. I know these characters. I know what the tone should be. I know what I expect when I walk into the theater and it has been hit or miss with the movies if they live up to that. (I.E. I will never forgive the director of Azkaban for the hack job he did to that story. My favorite book and one of my least favorite movies of the series) This movie felt right. It fit with what I had in my mind. Not to mention some of the landscape scenes were absolutely breath-taking. The team put in charge of locations did a magificant job. So did the effects people.
Ron as keeper was just as I pictured. He was cocky and fun. As always he made me smile. There is a reason he is my favorite character. *grin* I also loved "high on love" Ron. *laughing* His parts brought the lightness the movie needed. Having read the books, I knew he would end up being poisoned, but it still made my heart clench at seeing him drop to the floor and start seizing. (Also props to the forming at the mouth) Seeing Hermione, right where she should always be, at Ron's side in the hospital made my heart melt. I'm such a Ron shipping whore, but Hermione will always be the one I most see him with. (Well it would be Harry, if both were gay. *blushes*) Weasley is definitely our king.
Loved Fred and George's store. *grin* It was even better than I pictured in my head. They weren't in the movie enough, but I understand that.
Luna. I just can't say enough about how much I love her. She is so out there, but at the same time is the most in tuned with everything. She can see into people's souls. Really get to the heart of the matter, because she doesn't concern herself with being like everyone else. I really don't think she is given enough credit. I also think people forget she's in Ravenclaw for a reason, much in the same way people forget that Neville is in Gryffindor for a reason, she's very intelligent...even if she is a little corky. *grin* In my heart she will always be Harry's perfect match. Oh and can I just show love for the lion's head she wears! Perfect!!!!
Oh one negative, that I didn't put in the "don't approve" pile because it's spoilerific, is the Snape scene with Dumbledore. I find it very unsettling how many hints to the big reveal in book seven this movie gave away. At one point I even looked at Adam in confusion. To those that have read the books, it was clear the screenwriters gave a HUGE plot secret away. I don't know how many people that don't read the books caught it, but I sure did. In fact it was pretty obvious in at least two or three scenes. *sigh*
I cried. Oh I so cried. I knew what would happen, but I cried anyway. Dumbledore's death was so horribly sad. It was hard to read about it and, for me, even worse to watch happen. Yes, I know the end. I know why it had to happen, but still it hurt.
I'm trying to get all of my thoughts together and it's proving difficult because I have so many. I think the main thing I took away from this, is I'm pleased with the road we are on. I'm waiting on baited breath (whatever that really means) for the next chapter, the next adventure. We are so close to the end and it both thrills and saddens me to think about watching the final credits roll on this series.
So that's my review for right now. I'm sure I'll re-read this later and think of about a hundred more things I want to say, but for the moment. I'm content. The rating for Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince- A