Not quite ready for this universe to end...
So. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix actually kicked my trash. I think that's due to two main reasons.
Firstly, I've made my peace (of sorts) with the HP film adaptations. Many aspects of them (mostly the casting choices) do not line up with my own envisionment of JKR's characters and world - but I've learned not to scorn this fact, and to instead just appreciate the movie-verse as an occasionally successful visual companion to the books. Because there are indeed moments where the films will nail the way a certain scene made me feel, and that's worth the watch for me. Lucky for Order of the Phoenix (or more aptly, for me), it had moments like these in spades.
But the second reason I hold this particular adaptation above all the rest is even simpler - it was just so. well. made. David Yates, I have no idea who you are, but I am very glad you're sticking around. The direction was beautiful and subtle, servicing the story and characters first, style and mood second - but shortchanging neither. As much as I love Cuaron and what he did with Azkaban visually, at times it felt a bit too self-indulgent. And even Goblet of Fire got heavy-handed at times, like Mike Newell was trying too hard to convince us "dark dark this is DARK!" But at last, here's that happy medium I've been waiting for. There's not one wasted second; I was full of tension and dread and sick-to-your-stomach anger at all the same instances I was in the book (though I felt cheated out of so many good scenes, I understand there simply wasn't time) - can't ask for much more than that.
Also? Gary Oldman needs to play more good guys. His portrayals of both Sirius and Gordon (from Batman Begins) rock so hard, it makes me sad the dude's retiring.
Firstly, I've made my peace (of sorts) with the HP film adaptations. Many aspects of them (mostly the casting choices) do not line up with my own envisionment of JKR's characters and world - but I've learned not to scorn this fact, and to instead just appreciate the movie-verse as an occasionally successful visual companion to the books. Because there are indeed moments where the films will nail the way a certain scene made me feel, and that's worth the watch for me. Lucky for Order of the Phoenix (or more aptly, for me), it had moments like these in spades.
But the second reason I hold this particular adaptation above all the rest is even simpler - it was just so. well. made. David Yates, I have no idea who you are, but I am very glad you're sticking around. The direction was beautiful and subtle, servicing the story and characters first, style and mood second - but shortchanging neither. As much as I love Cuaron and what he did with Azkaban visually, at times it felt a bit too self-indulgent. And even Goblet of Fire got heavy-handed at times, like Mike Newell was trying too hard to convince us "dark dark this is DARK!" But at last, here's that happy medium I've been waiting for. There's not one wasted second; I was full of tension and dread and sick-to-your-stomach anger at all the same instances I was in the book (though I felt cheated out of so many good scenes, I understand there simply wasn't time) - can't ask for much more than that.
Also? Gary Oldman needs to play more good guys. His portrayals of both Sirius and Gordon (from Batman Begins) rock so hard, it makes me sad the dude's retiring.