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pegkerrI liked it, sort of. I'd like to absorb it some and see it again. Oh man, seeing the ending in 3-D was wonderful, made it all the more exciting and you-really-are-there.
I was reminded again that for many people, this is their least favorite book in series. I remember being taken aback by OoTP when I read it, but the book really grew on me. As an author, I really admire Rowling's bravery in this book. Harry is angry and the book is grim and the casual reader complains where's the fun gone? (A number of the movie critics have made that point in their reviews, too.) But that's the point: Rowling spends the entire book stripping everything away from Harry that he has used to bolster himself: Quidditch, the support of friends, the sense of Hogwarts as a happy, supportive place, his ideals about his parents, particularly his father, and finally, his family relationship with Sirius. He has to discover who he really is--and what the love inherent in his friendships mean to him--as he evaluates what is left.
I love OotP because it is in this book that Rowling really gets to the heart of what she says is the central theme of the books: choosing what is right over what is easy. That's why I was so pleased that the filmakers really hunkered down and kept the focus tightly on Harry's story arc--even though as a fan, of course, I mourned all the stuff the screenwriter left out.
It is the basis for my one chief objection: the change in Cho's role. I can see why the screenwriter made the change he did; it is even set up beautifully by the book itself. They eliminated Marietta entirely by having Cho herself spill the beans because Umbridge gave her tea with Veritaserum. It brings in Snape's role in supplying Umbridge's veritaserum, too, which helps maintain that careful knife-edge of ambiguity in Snape's character. We know in the book that Umbridge tried Veritaserum on Harry. So, good call by the screenwriter, right?
Well, no, not entirely. I think that what this change did was that it eliminated Cho making a choice. In the book, Harry turns away from her because she defends a friend who betrayed the DA. With the movie Veritaserum angle, I think logically Harry could have forgiven Cho--after all, in this version, she doesn't choose to betray them. But he doesn't, and that's why I think the screenwriter's decision muddied this central, pivotal theme.
The flashback to Snape's worst memory was too rushed. But boy, Rickman pulled out all the stops and milked an amazing amount from the little he was given to do. No one can read a line like Mr. Rickman. (And oh, that voice: I remember the commenter who once remarked on my journal, "You hear about singers who can shatter glass. Alan Rickman can shatter underpants.") Imelda Staunton was terrific (Delia decribed her as Barbie gone totally bad--not if you think about her figure, but yeah if you think about the pink). All the adult cast were great, although, alas, underutilized. This was Gambon's best performance yet in the series, although I regret that his biggest best scene with Radcliffe was cut drastically (see below). Jason Isaacs was clearly having the time of his life. The Weasley twins were wonderful. I particularly liked that short little scene where they were trying to comfort Nigel, tearful after one of Umbridge's odious detentions, while Harry looks on with guilt. I have seen some commenters complain (once again) about Emma Watson's acting ability, but I was satisfied with what I saw. She and Grint both got cheated because of the laser-like focus on Harry, but Grint particularly did some excellent subtle facial acting as Ron contemplates how he can support and help the best friend that he loves who is going through personal agony and thus acting like a total jerk. And Radcliffe did a fantastic job. He has really developed as an actor (a fact which I know he partly attributes to Yates' work as director). He totally sold me on that scene at the end where Voldemort attempts to appropriate Harry's body.
I understand why Quidditch was cut, and I understand why a lot of other things were cut, too, but I still regretted it. Oh, I missed, I missed Harry's tantrum of rage in Dumbledore's office after Sirius died. One of the best scenes of all in the book, and that part of it got dropped. It could have been as big of emotional payoff as the ending of Goblet of Fire, but no. And couldn't they have at least shown a ghost or two; would it have really killed their budget?
One change that I absolutely loved: when Umbridge is about to be carried off by a herd of rampaging centaurs (surely one of the best movie exits EVAH) and is shrieking to Harry to tell them that she has done nothing and he should make them let her go, Harry turns the tables beautifully with the perfect capper: "I'm sorry, Professor, but I must not tell lies." I wish Rowling had thought of that.
So that's my initial reaction. I liked it, although I know it is a difficult book and movie to like. I saw where they rushed things and although I approve of the tight focus on Harry and I understood the decisions that were made, I mourn where they left things out.
And I really want to see it again. I just wish I had the money to see it in 3-D everytime. See it at the IMAX if you can.
I was reminded again that for many people, this is their least favorite book in series. I remember being taken aback by OoTP when I read it, but the book really grew on me. As an author, I really admire Rowling's bravery in this book. Harry is angry and the book is grim and the casual reader complains where's the fun gone? (A number of the movie critics have made that point in their reviews, too.) But that's the point: Rowling spends the entire book stripping everything away from Harry that he has used to bolster himself: Quidditch, the support of friends, the sense of Hogwarts as a happy, supportive place, his ideals about his parents, particularly his father, and finally, his family relationship with Sirius. He has to discover who he really is--and what the love inherent in his friendships mean to him--as he evaluates what is left.
I love OotP because it is in this book that Rowling really gets to the heart of what she says is the central theme of the books: choosing what is right over what is easy. That's why I was so pleased that the filmakers really hunkered down and kept the focus tightly on Harry's story arc--even though as a fan, of course, I mourned all the stuff the screenwriter left out.
It is the basis for my one chief objection: the change in Cho's role. I can see why the screenwriter made the change he did; it is even set up beautifully by the book itself. They eliminated Marietta entirely by having Cho herself spill the beans because Umbridge gave her tea with Veritaserum. It brings in Snape's role in supplying Umbridge's veritaserum, too, which helps maintain that careful knife-edge of ambiguity in Snape's character. We know in the book that Umbridge tried Veritaserum on Harry. So, good call by the screenwriter, right?
Well, no, not entirely. I think that what this change did was that it eliminated Cho making a choice. In the book, Harry turns away from her because she defends a friend who betrayed the DA. With the movie Veritaserum angle, I think logically Harry could have forgiven Cho--after all, in this version, she doesn't choose to betray them. But he doesn't, and that's why I think the screenwriter's decision muddied this central, pivotal theme.
The flashback to Snape's worst memory was too rushed. But boy, Rickman pulled out all the stops and milked an amazing amount from the little he was given to do. No one can read a line like Mr. Rickman. (And oh, that voice: I remember the commenter who once remarked on my journal, "You hear about singers who can shatter glass. Alan Rickman can shatter underpants.") Imelda Staunton was terrific (Delia decribed her as Barbie gone totally bad--not if you think about her figure, but yeah if you think about the pink). All the adult cast were great, although, alas, underutilized. This was Gambon's best performance yet in the series, although I regret that his biggest best scene with Radcliffe was cut drastically (see below). Jason Isaacs was clearly having the time of his life. The Weasley twins were wonderful. I particularly liked that short little scene where they were trying to comfort Nigel, tearful after one of Umbridge's odious detentions, while Harry looks on with guilt. I have seen some commenters complain (once again) about Emma Watson's acting ability, but I was satisfied with what I saw. She and Grint both got cheated because of the laser-like focus on Harry, but Grint particularly did some excellent subtle facial acting as Ron contemplates how he can support and help the best friend that he loves who is going through personal agony and thus acting like a total jerk. And Radcliffe did a fantastic job. He has really developed as an actor (a fact which I know he partly attributes to Yates' work as director). He totally sold me on that scene at the end where Voldemort attempts to appropriate Harry's body.
I understand why Quidditch was cut, and I understand why a lot of other things were cut, too, but I still regretted it. Oh, I missed, I missed Harry's tantrum of rage in Dumbledore's office after Sirius died. One of the best scenes of all in the book, and that part of it got dropped. It could have been as big of emotional payoff as the ending of Goblet of Fire, but no. And couldn't they have at least shown a ghost or two; would it have really killed their budget?
One change that I absolutely loved: when Umbridge is about to be carried off by a herd of rampaging centaurs (surely one of the best movie exits EVAH) and is shrieking to Harry to tell them that she has done nothing and he should make them let her go, Harry turns the tables beautifully with the perfect capper: "I'm sorry, Professor, but I must not tell lies." I wish Rowling had thought of that.
So that's my initial reaction. I liked it, although I know it is a difficult book and movie to like. I saw where they rushed things and although I approve of the tight focus on Harry and I understood the decisions that were made, I mourn where they left things out.
And I really want to see it again. I just wish I had the money to see it in 3-D everytime. See it at the IMAX if you can.
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(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-11 08:10 pm (UTC)That said, 3D on the IMAX is the only 3D that even works for me. I'm just a tiny bit colorblind; not that I'd notice it, I still can distiguish the range of colors, but red is pretty subdued for me, enough that the red eye just doesn't see much on the colored glasses 3D, and I can't get the effect at all. 3D on IMAX is REALLY GOOD.
As far as the books, IMHO OoTP is a crossroads. The ones before that were establishing acts, OoTP sets us up for the big finish. It's where we realize things really are serious, and people can die. Maybe a lot of people. Maybe a HELL of a lot of people, as in war.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-11 09:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-11 10:06 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-11 11:02 pm (UTC)I remember the "I do not tell lies" somewhere in the book, though not there.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-11 11:45 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-11 11:49 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-12 03:16 am (UTC)That part was awesome. Our theater clapped and cheered for Harry. :D
Spoilers, of course.
Date: 2007-07-12 05:26 am (UTC)That got me wondering just how much Rowling communicates with the screenplay writers. I mean, what if (and I highly doubt it, but) Sirius came back in the next book? Turns out the arch wasn't so fatal after all, plays an important role, etcetera etcetera. Wouldn't the movies be fairly boned, continuity-wise? They'd have to either backtrack or figure out a way for Sirius to survive the old Killing Curse.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-12 01:26 pm (UTC)Re: Spoilers, of course.
Date: 2007-07-12 07:13 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-12 11:37 pm (UTC)I caught the missing locket mention too, and raise you the two way mirror.