Harry Potter and the What of the Phoenix?

[mrstater]

Well, I've seen it. Hadn't planned to for a couple weeks, because Mr. Tater was wary of opening weekend crowds -- mainly annoying children -- but curiosity got the better of me and I weasled our way to the theater last night. I didn't hate it. I didn't even dislike it. I didn't love it, either. I guess that leaves liking it. Though I think it

Comments

[shoebox_addict]

I loved the movie but I really must agree with you on some of these points. There was not enough explanation about the Order, you're right on there. Also mad that Lupin was pretty cut out of the movie. Actually, I was kinda upset at the whole beginning of the movie because it was so short but they spent a really long time at Grimmauld in the book. There was no real talk, there was no Bill & Charlie and there was no Mrs. Weasley's boggart.I really wanted Mungo's too. That would have been such a great character building opportunity. Yeah, the ending was also kind of.....cliff-hangy, I guess. They should have gone back to King's Cross and seen the Order again.

I just saw it for the second time today and although I was completely blown away and in awe of the cinematography and I really liked the way it was handled for the most part, you do raise some really good points here. :)

[bway_love]

I was sad McG didn't get her screen time too! It made her look out of character I thought, by not showing her standing up to Umbridge. And I would have loved a St Mungo's scene. And more Tonks, obviously, but as well as actual scenes with her in, I would have liked to see them make something of the metamorphmagus thing. I don't think they even mentioned that she was one (because I was waiting to see how it was pronounced!...actually I saw an interview with Natalia Tena in which she pronounces it "metamorphagoo" (LOL??) but I think that's more to do with her lack of familiarity with the HP world than the actual pronounciation) anyway all Tonks did in the film was change her hair colour, and she didn't even screw up her face

[mrstater]

And more Tonks, obviously, but as well as actual scenes with her in, I would have liked to see them make something of the metamorphmagus thing. I don't think they even mentioned that she was one (because I was waiting to see how it was pronounced!...actually I saw an interview with Natalia Tena in which she pronounces it "metamorphagoo" (LOL??) but I think that's more to do with her lack of familiarity with the HP world than the actual pronounciation) anyway all Tonks did in the film was change her hair colour, and she didn't even screw up her face!

Yeah, I was hoping to see her morphed as an elderly woman to take the kids to King's Cross, but no... I don't think they ever even said she was an Auror, now that I think of it.

[rainbowstevie]

I have a feeling that despite the onslaught of utterly positive reviews across the internet, my overall reaction is going to match up very closely with yours. Brought up a lot of excellent points. Most people I know are outraged that the Very Important Quidditch Match isn't in there, but I'm bothered more by the lack of St. Mungo's, for all the reasons you mentioned. Same for Molly's boggart (which really was what I was most looking forward to...sigh).

I'm still excited to see the movie, but I'm already feeling a bit disappointed upon hearing how on the fringes the Order seems to be, given that they're a large part of why OotP is my favorite book.

[mrstater]

I hope my thoughts didn't color your opinion too much. I'm just kind of a critical person about movies because I'm very picky about them! Especially book adaptations. Just a purist here... But it does still have very enjoyable parts and overall it was well done...just not enough, IMO. ;)

I was actually sad about the Quidditch going even though I hate the Quidditch, because it's so good with Ron's story and also Harry loses that because of his choices to stand up to Umbridge. But of all the things I missed in the movie, that was probably last on the list.

[rainbowstevie]

Not at all, it was more like a refreshing validation that I was not utterly crazy for thinking that it could have been better with a few more things left in.

[mmmfishfingers]

(Though I could really really live without Michael Gambon turning Dumbledore into an angry old man!)
Oh I'm glad you said this. I can't stand Dumbledore. He's impatient and always in a tizzy. Just, so not Dumbledore at all..

(Don't get me started on how she didn't stand up to Umbridge or get her five Stunners to the chest!)
her actually backing down from Unbridge just made me roll my eyes. wtf was that?

Percy poppin' up suddenly was...odd

Matthew Lewis is one of the stronger kid actors in the cast
Agreed. And I'm not just saying that because I have a crush on him he's playing Neville either. I mean, he's so amazing. I love Ron too. (Hermione and Harry..meh). I missed St Mungo's.

Anyway. I agreed with all of what you said, only pointing out those bits because if I sat here and really discussed it..it'd take ages (and so much length on your page..sorry)

[mrstater]

Oh I'm glad you said this. I can't stand Dumbledore. He's impatient and always in a tizzy. Just, so not Dumbledore at all..

The thing about Dumbledore is that he says those same things, but with utter politeness. It's part of his charm. He can be insulting you utterly, but he says it in a wonderful way...

Percy poppin' up suddenly was...odd

Oh yeah! Why did they bother? He didn't even have a line, did he?

[mmmfishfingers]

RIght he says it calmly. I mean he can totally say you're a complete wanker and you won't be offended because it's awesome. But no....

Percy was stupid. I thought Kreacher was lame too because he wasn't explained. Just 'yo, leave'...

[jncar]

I agree with almost all of your comments. The film basically did away with any and all meaningful context for the struggle Harry faced, thereby stripping it of it's significance.

Those changing newspaper headlines were not enough context to give the plot the necessary social/emotional context, but that's pretty much all they gave us.

My main point of disagreement with you is on the Apparation effects. The black and white smoke drove me crazy! I'll have to quote kerrymdb on this one because she said it so perfectly:

So what happens? A kid turns seventeen, learns to Apparate and discovers if they're going to be a good or bad wizard? I can just picture it. Here's Snape at seventeen. Crack!
"Damnit! My smoke's white! There goes my plan of world domination... Hmm...Professor Dumbledore, have you any use for a spy?"

[mrstater]

Those changing newspaper headlines were not enough context to give the plot the necessary social/emotional context, but that's pretty much all they gave us.

Oh, I couldn't even keep up with them! Could you? They flashed so fast...

LOL @ Kerry's comment! I saw that on her journal earlier, and that did get me thinking...I hadn't noticed that the DE's were black and the Order were white. That's so funny.

The other thing is that there wasn't a crack, and the smoke basically ripped off Nightcrawler's bamphing in the second X-Men movie...

Which reminds me of the one thing I didn't care for in the Twins' escape: the dragon firework totally made me think of Merry and Pippin in LotR. Why couldn't it be the swamp? It didn't bother me hugely, but it did distract me momentarily from enjoyment.

[mrstater]

I guess this is also why we never see Snape Apparate -- we'd know for sure whether he's good or evil based on his Apparition smoke!