Serious Black
Yesterday, we went with some friends to see Order of the Phoenix. How did I think the movie held up?
In general, I almost feel like I have to see the Harry Potter movies twice: once just to get over all the stuff they cut that they shouldn't have and then a second time to really enjoy them. Order of the Phoenix, however, I mostly enjoyed all the way through. How did it hold up to my list I posted last week? Let's see...
1) The sense of impending doom -- Check. From the very first scene, it's there, and it stays throughout the movie.
2) The Advance Guard -- Check. Although Lupin doesn't show up until Grimauld place but still, not too shabby.
3) Detention with Umbridge -- Check. And Umbridge is loathsome.
4) Fudge, Umbridge, and Co. vs. Dumbledore (at Hogwarts) -- Check. But. BUT. This is the one that frustrated me most of out of the checklist. There was definitely something missing in this scene. In the book, Fudge accuses Dumbledore of making an army, to which Dumbledore jovially admits "Of course," causing Fudge to become incredulous and shocked. It was a great bit of humor and it's a bummer it was cut.
5) Everything Sirius -- Big Check. Gary Oldman was bad to the bone in this movie.
6) Ginny Weasley -- Big Check. Ginny kicks ass.
7) Kingsley Shacklebolt -- Check.
8) Fred and George vs. Umbridge -- Check. Emma was bummed the swamp bit was cut, but the flight and the feeling of rebellion the Weasley twins inspire is all here.
9) The Order of the Phoenix vs. the Death Eaters and Dumbledore vs. Voldermort -- GIGANTIC CHECK. Possibly the most exciting scenes thus far in the series. I loved the Death Eaters, I loved the Order showing up, and I dug Dumbledore vs. Voldermort.
There were some things that bugged me, though. I didn't like the way that Cho was the one who betrayed the DA in the movie. I really loved how understated all that was in the book -- the way her friend betrayed them and Cho defended her friend and slandered Hermione and how Harry decided it just wasn't worth it. There were also some transitions that seemed kind of forced to me, like how the Occlumency lessons came up.
On the other hand, I think this movie did some stuff far better than the other movies did. All the stuff with the Daily Prophet and several of the montage scenes were fantastic. Plus the opening and the killer final half hour. And I saw things that I'd missed in the book, even though I'd only just reread it (such as Luna's line about how the things we lose always find their way back to us). All in all, I really liked this installment of the Potter films. I don't know if it's the best one, but it was very very well done.
In general, I almost feel like I have to see the Harry Potter movies twice: once just to get over all the stuff they cut that they shouldn't have and then a second time to really enjoy them. Order of the Phoenix, however, I mostly enjoyed all the way through. How did it hold up to my list I posted last week? Let's see...
1) The sense of impending doom -- Check. From the very first scene, it's there, and it stays throughout the movie.
2) The Advance Guard -- Check. Although Lupin doesn't show up until Grimauld place but still, not too shabby.
3) Detention with Umbridge -- Check. And Umbridge is loathsome.
4) Fudge, Umbridge, and Co. vs. Dumbledore (at Hogwarts) -- Check. But. BUT. This is the one that frustrated me most of out of the checklist. There was definitely something missing in this scene. In the book, Fudge accuses Dumbledore of making an army, to which Dumbledore jovially admits "Of course," causing Fudge to become incredulous and shocked. It was a great bit of humor and it's a bummer it was cut.
5) Everything Sirius -- Big Check. Gary Oldman was bad to the bone in this movie.
6) Ginny Weasley -- Big Check. Ginny kicks ass.
7) Kingsley Shacklebolt -- Check.
8) Fred and George vs. Umbridge -- Check. Emma was bummed the swamp bit was cut, but the flight and the feeling of rebellion the Weasley twins inspire is all here.
9) The Order of the Phoenix vs. the Death Eaters and Dumbledore vs. Voldermort -- GIGANTIC CHECK. Possibly the most exciting scenes thus far in the series. I loved the Death Eaters, I loved the Order showing up, and I dug Dumbledore vs. Voldermort.
There were some things that bugged me, though. I didn't like the way that Cho was the one who betrayed the DA in the movie. I really loved how understated all that was in the book -- the way her friend betrayed them and Cho defended her friend and slandered Hermione and how Harry decided it just wasn't worth it. There were also some transitions that seemed kind of forced to me, like how the Occlumency lessons came up.
On the other hand, I think this movie did some stuff far better than the other movies did. All the stuff with the Daily Prophet and several of the montage scenes were fantastic. Plus the opening and the killer final half hour. And I saw things that I'd missed in the book, even though I'd only just reread it (such as Luna's line about how the things we lose always find their way back to us). All in all, I really liked this installment of the Potter films. I don't know if it's the best one, but it was very very well done.