My thoughts on OoTP...
I was scanning some of the entries made post-OoTP and I have to admit I'm surprised that everyone seemed to love it so much. I've seen it twice so far, mostly because at the midnight screening people were screaming and clapping every time characters would enter frame, so I missed a lot of dialogue, but also because, well, it's Potter...it's traditional to see it 5 times or more:)
Anyway, so I didn't love it. I liked it well enough, but I've read the books, I know them inside and out. So if something doesn't happen on screen, I can reassure myself that I know how it's supposed to be. I think, this time more than any other, I really took in the reactions of people I had gone with who hadn't read the books. It was a pretty unanimous opinion that not a whole lot had happened in those 2 hours, they hadn't learned much of anything useful or taken anything new away with them because they felt that nothing was explained properly. So instead of feeling that the Order was badass, they were confused as to who they even were. They didn't understand anything that happened in the Dept. of Mysteries and after seeing it twice, I understand what they mean.
Look, the movie was spot-on with the mood and tone of the books. I loved the subtlety of the progression of Ron and Hermione's relationship, I loved the twins, I loved Luna, I loved Mr Weasley on the escalators, I loved the DA. But on the other hand, the only cohesive plot thread (that had a beginning, middle and end) was the Ministry interfering at Hogwarts story line. Umbridge was amazing, she was incredibly chilling and I was shocked at times even already knowing what she was. In fact, all of the performances were stellar. But the unresolved, unexplained things were out of control, and it felt like the editor was on speed with the transitions, or lack therof, of certain scenes, like a director's reel of clips and montages set to music.
None of my friends had any clue why Harry was lured to the Ministry, why that prophecy was so important to Voldemort, that Snape is a spy, how the Order knew to turn up and save the day. They thought that Harry was an asshole because he didn't go and APOLOGIZE TO F***ING CHO CHANG, They thought Grawp was cute, so did I...he was just unrecognizable as the character I know. The prophecy was nothing new to them, it's common sense. They didn't get that Percy Weasley was with the Ministry, and why should they? It's never once broached. Kreacher seemed like an afterthought. Did anyone notice the lack of Regulus and Narcissa on the family tree? What's the point of including the Dursleys and Trelawney if you're not going to add the things that make them important and integral to the story? They must have money to burn on paychecks, those producers.
I remember going to see Sorcerer's Stone on opening night and being so gutted because I had expected this wonderful, perfect adaptation of this wonderful story. I have become so proud of myself because, since then, I have approached each Potter film from the standpoint of viewing them as stand-alone pieces, and trying not to compare them overly much. But I shouldn't have to explain the entire story to people after the fact. That's a failure on the part of the filmmakers.
So now it sounds like I hated it, which I actually didn't. It was entertaining enough, the effects were wonderful (except I despise the new, burlap-wrapped Dementors) and I was thrilled to see that Potter has finally moved into the realm of mature filmmaking and out of the kiddie world. But after I've had a chance to let the dazzle and sparkles fade from my eyes, I honestly think that this one has the most plot issues of any so far and is the most poorly adapted. This is definitely a film made for those people who are already familiar with the story and I know I'm in the minority, but I'm not too terribly thrilled to see what Yates does next to one of my favorite books in the series. Maybe he'll be able to pare it down to an hour and a half, get rid of even more of that pesky exposition.
But my, oh my, do I ever have an even bigger crush on Rupert Grint.
Anyway, so I didn't love it. I liked it well enough, but I've read the books, I know them inside and out. So if something doesn't happen on screen, I can reassure myself that I know how it's supposed to be. I think, this time more than any other, I really took in the reactions of people I had gone with who hadn't read the books. It was a pretty unanimous opinion that not a whole lot had happened in those 2 hours, they hadn't learned much of anything useful or taken anything new away with them because they felt that nothing was explained properly. So instead of feeling that the Order was badass, they were confused as to who they even were. They didn't understand anything that happened in the Dept. of Mysteries and after seeing it twice, I understand what they mean.
Look, the movie was spot-on with the mood and tone of the books. I loved the subtlety of the progression of Ron and Hermione's relationship, I loved the twins, I loved Luna, I loved Mr Weasley on the escalators, I loved the DA. But on the other hand, the only cohesive plot thread (that had a beginning, middle and end) was the Ministry interfering at Hogwarts story line. Umbridge was amazing, she was incredibly chilling and I was shocked at times even already knowing what she was. In fact, all of the performances were stellar. But the unresolved, unexplained things were out of control, and it felt like the editor was on speed with the transitions, or lack therof, of certain scenes, like a director's reel of clips and montages set to music.
None of my friends had any clue why Harry was lured to the Ministry, why that prophecy was so important to Voldemort, that Snape is a spy, how the Order knew to turn up and save the day. They thought that Harry was an asshole because he didn't go and APOLOGIZE TO F***ING CHO CHANG, They thought Grawp was cute, so did I...he was just unrecognizable as the character I know. The prophecy was nothing new to them, it's common sense. They didn't get that Percy Weasley was with the Ministry, and why should they? It's never once broached. Kreacher seemed like an afterthought. Did anyone notice the lack of Regulus and Narcissa on the family tree? What's the point of including the Dursleys and Trelawney if you're not going to add the things that make them important and integral to the story? They must have money to burn on paychecks, those producers.
I remember going to see Sorcerer's Stone on opening night and being so gutted because I had expected this wonderful, perfect adaptation of this wonderful story. I have become so proud of myself because, since then, I have approached each Potter film from the standpoint of viewing them as stand-alone pieces, and trying not to compare them overly much. But I shouldn't have to explain the entire story to people after the fact. That's a failure on the part of the filmmakers.
So now it sounds like I hated it, which I actually didn't. It was entertaining enough, the effects were wonderful (except I despise the new, burlap-wrapped Dementors) and I was thrilled to see that Potter has finally moved into the realm of mature filmmaking and out of the kiddie world. But after I've had a chance to let the dazzle and sparkles fade from my eyes, I honestly think that this one has the most plot issues of any so far and is the most poorly adapted. This is definitely a film made for those people who are already familiar with the story and I know I'm in the minority, but I'm not too terribly thrilled to see what Yates does next to one of my favorite books in the series. Maybe he'll be able to pare it down to an hour and a half, get rid of even more of that pesky exposition.
But my, oh my, do I ever have an even bigger crush on Rupert Grint.