HBP *Spoiler*
Just saw the movie and now for my rant. But if you haven't seen it yet, don't read, but see it.
I am absolutely not sure what to think of this movie. (I feel bewildered and like I just took a walk in an old magic forest as with the seventh book). It was good, flawed without doubt, but I’m pretty sure it was good. They did as I feared. The death eaters just kind of walked around and Bonnie needs a little work in the acting department. I don’t really like how Hermione has taken over Ron’s role as best friend either. Also, they are now introducing characters that are in the book but not really ever hinted to in the movies or if this would have been their first time (such as Greyback), never explain who they are.
I did love the Ron/Lavender relationship and how it was portrayed, very true to the book. Also most of the scenes were pretty spot on (“I do love knitting patterns”) and Slughorn wasn’t bad. I loved the Luck scene esp. how Harry was “drunk” and his “Sir.”
However I wish they didn’t sacrifice the movie just to satisfy the readers. Looking at it, trying to disregard the book, I think I would be pretty lost with the random hints to the book. I probably is best that they are doing two sevens because they have to introduce so many people, and it would hinder it like it did this one.
I am glad that we finally see the stones for house points, though, that made me very excited. I guess my main problem is that this is probably my favorite book and the movie sort of let me down. Of course, I never expected the book (I mean how could you) but it was too much an attempt to fin in stuff they now know is important, and try to make Dumbledore more personable. (I did tear up a little when he first tells Harry to do as he says and then when Harry goes under the floor, but never balled like in the book). And why the Burrow, a Hogwarts fight would have been twice as good, and not have hindered the next two movies.
It was a good movie, with its own flaws like all the others with direction, acting and details alone. While I was glad they kept stuff in to satisfy the reader: Weasley Wizard Weezes, the stones, and Aragog, it seemed like it was a lot of that. Maybe it will be different the second time around; they usually are after the initial shock. (I don’t see however, how some others can ignore the shortcomings in this film but blatantly point them out in all the others when there are just as many). My one hope for the next two is to explain the little things that they make big, the characters, and to get the deaths right. I have yet to cry in a movie but the books broke the dam. Just, like it is said, don’t put a sword on the wall in act one unless you are going to use it by the last act.