emila_wan (![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} emila_wan) wrote,@ 2009-07-18 01:56:00 |
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Thoughts on the new Harry Potter
I've seen it once. Definitely plan to see it many more times.
Random thoughts:
- I absolutely loved the way The Half-Blood Prince opened, with the aftermath of the scene at the Ministry, Harry looking shell-shocked and Dumbledore putting his arm around him protectively. That scene at the end of film #5 gave me chills, because Dumbledore watches helplessly as Harry battles Voldemort by himself. Actually, Harry has always been alone when facing Voldemort, but Dumbledore was finally forced to see it, and acknowledge Harry's power. I think this is where Dumbledore started thinking of Harry as an equal of sorts, rather than someone merely in need of protection.
- Ron finally gets to shine in this one! Comedy Quidditch was amazing, and the whole puppy-love subplot was suberb. I found Lavender and Cormac very tedious to read about in the books, but the film distills their stories down into really fine comedic moments.
- Most of the changes and omissions were good choices. I do miss everything that was cut, but I understand why it was necessary. For instance, the attack at the Burrow: I suppose you needed the film to start with some exciting action, because honestly, the book is devoid of action until the very end. Also, I'm good with cutting out most of the flashback-memory scenes -- I suppose we'll find out about the other horcruxes in the next film.
- Being a Snape fan, I was keenly disappointed that the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom scenes were cut, even though they really didn't have much to do with the plot. He did get quite a bit of screen time, YAY. I liked him shushing Harry under the astronomy tower; it gives Harry that much more reason to hate him. But the scene where they fight near Hagrid's hut disappointed me. I was really looking forward to the "DON'T CALL ME A COWARD!" angst, which got left out. And because Hermione never mentions finding Eileen Prince earlier, the whole, "I am the Half-Blood Prince" doesn't really explain anything.
- The Felix Felicis potion was handled really well. I was amazed by Radcliffe's acting overall, but this bit was fantastic.
- Changing the first kiss with Ginny was okay. A little creepy maybe, but since I couldn't care less about that ship ... sail on, you know?
- Using the birds to show how Draco was working on the vanishing cabinet was genius. And wasn't Draco's angst well done? He was fantastic throughout. I love how he flashed the dark mark to Dumbledore, and how he looked a wreck when he saw Katie Bell. Awesome job from Felton.
- Harry's friendship with Hermione was so well done. It shows his compassion.
- The cave = amazing in every way.
- The only thing that I can't rave about is the ending. It felt anti-climactic somehow, but I'm not sure why. I think it's partly because the death eaters don't bother to attack anybody else at the school. I understand why the battle was left out -- no need to have one here when you'll get it in the next film. But then there's no reason for Bellatrix and crew to even BE there, and the whole year's worth of work on the vanishing cabinets is pretty much moot. Also, Harry doesn't seem upset enough IMO. He should be pacing like a caged tiger while Draco is threatening Dumbledore. He should be sobbing and brushing away snot as he's trying to curse Snape. He's just too calm. I would have expected more of the kind of reaction we got when Cedric was killed; Harry's sobbing there was heartrending, and really sold the scene. Although I did like the fact that everybody stood back and acknowledged Harry's right to be the one who touches Dumbledore's body. It's like everyone knows how special their relationship was, and respects it.
- The denouement was done about as well as could be, considering the bleak ending and unfinished nature of the story. I liked the bit of hope for the future and the camaraderie in the last scene, as they watch the phoenix fly away.
- The cinematography throughout was simply stunning. The transition from scene to scene, the way they'd pan across from one tower to the next, etc., was awesome. The pace seemed unhurried despite all the stuff going on. This was far better than #5, which felt rushed. At times, this one was almost TOO sedate. But at least they got Watson to slow down her delivery enough so that us Yanks could understand her.
Overall, I loved it, and can't wait to see what they do with the next two films.
I've seen it once. Definitely plan to see it many more times.
Random thoughts:
- I absolutely loved the way The Half-Blood Prince opened, with the aftermath of the scene at the Ministry, Harry looking shell-shocked and Dumbledore putting his arm around him protectively. That scene at the end of film #5 gave me chills, because Dumbledore watches helplessly as Harry battles Voldemort by himself. Actually, Harry has always been alone when facing Voldemort, but Dumbledore was finally forced to see it, and acknowledge Harry's power. I think this is where Dumbledore started thinking of Harry as an equal of sorts, rather than someone merely in need of protection.
- Ron finally gets to shine in this one! Comedy Quidditch was amazing, and the whole puppy-love subplot was suberb. I found Lavender and Cormac very tedious to read about in the books, but the film distills their stories down into really fine comedic moments.
- Most of the changes and omissions were good choices. I do miss everything that was cut, but I understand why it was necessary. For instance, the attack at the Burrow: I suppose you needed the film to start with some exciting action, because honestly, the book is devoid of action until the very end. Also, I'm good with cutting out most of the flashback-memory scenes -- I suppose we'll find out about the other horcruxes in the next film.
- Being a Snape fan, I was keenly disappointed that the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom scenes were cut, even though they really didn't have much to do with the plot. He did get quite a bit of screen time, YAY. I liked him shushing Harry under the astronomy tower; it gives Harry that much more reason to hate him. But the scene where they fight near Hagrid's hut disappointed me. I was really looking forward to the "DON'T CALL ME A COWARD!" angst, which got left out. And because Hermione never mentions finding Eileen Prince earlier, the whole, "I am the Half-Blood Prince" doesn't really explain anything.
- The Felix Felicis potion was handled really well. I was amazed by Radcliffe's acting overall, but this bit was fantastic.
- Changing the first kiss with Ginny was okay. A little creepy maybe, but since I couldn't care less about that ship ... sail on, you know?
- Using the birds to show how Draco was working on the vanishing cabinet was genius. And wasn't Draco's angst well done? He was fantastic throughout. I love how he flashed the dark mark to Dumbledore, and how he looked a wreck when he saw Katie Bell. Awesome job from Felton.
- Harry's friendship with Hermione was so well done. It shows his compassion.
- The cave = amazing in every way.
- The only thing that I can't rave about is the ending. It felt anti-climactic somehow, but I'm not sure why. I think it's partly because the death eaters don't bother to attack anybody else at the school. I understand why the battle was left out -- no need to have one here when you'll get it in the next film. But then there's no reason for Bellatrix and crew to even BE there, and the whole year's worth of work on the vanishing cabinets is pretty much moot. Also, Harry doesn't seem upset enough IMO. He should be pacing like a caged tiger while Draco is threatening Dumbledore. He should be sobbing and brushing away snot as he's trying to curse Snape. He's just too calm. I would have expected more of the kind of reaction we got when Cedric was killed; Harry's sobbing there was heartrending, and really sold the scene. Although I did like the fact that everybody stood back and acknowledged Harry's right to be the one who touches Dumbledore's body. It's like everyone knows how special their relationship was, and respects it.
- The denouement was done about as well as could be, considering the bleak ending and unfinished nature of the story. I liked the bit of hope for the future and the camaraderie in the last scene, as they watch the phoenix fly away.
- The cinematography throughout was simply stunning. The transition from scene to scene, the way they'd pan across from one tower to the next, etc., was awesome. The pace seemed unhurried despite all the stuff going on. This was far better than #5, which felt rushed. At times, this one was almost TOO sedate. But at least they got Watson to slow down her delivery enough so that us Yanks could understand her.
Overall, I loved it, and can't wait to see what they do with the next two films.