The End of an Era
Last night, in traditional fashion, I attended the final Harry Potter mid-night showing of the last movie. I know feel it is entirely appropraite to unleash my inner nerd-dom on the world with reviews of each book/movie.
Years 1-3: Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, and Prisoner of Azkaban
In my humble opinion, I think books and movies should be as close as possible and take little "artistic measure" in order to get higher ratings. These first 3 books and movies were on the right track, followed all the important story lines, captured my favorite moments and did all the characters a just portrayal. Sirius Black is played so well, he's got great timing, looks like I would have imagined, and comes across as a lovable, crazy, nut-job of a Godfather. I think there is some detail left out of Prisoner of Azkaban, but nothing too detrimental to the story. I love, love, love Richard Harris as Dumbledore. I wish that Michael Gambon didn't try to take as much artistic liberties, but I'll touch on that later. Richard Harris had an air of knowing everything that was going on in the school, but playing it out humbly and letting everything unroll as it would naturally. He came across as a caring, lovable, older wizard with a soft spot for a few trouble makers. I also feel the need to hit on the introduction to my two favorite characters in the series; Dobby and Sirius Black. This goes for both movie and books. I am a Dobby freak; if I could think of a way to memorialize Dobby with a tattoo that has to do with neither socks or an image of of him, I would do it. (Let's face it, the guy is adorable, but hella ugly). J.K. Rowling wrote the character of Dobby creating a loyal friend, regardless of errors or mistakes in trying to help, and I love that. Dobby doesn't exactly fit in with his kind, he wants to continue working hard, he just wants a little clothes too. I find his obsession with tea-cozies and socks endearing and his loyalty something I hope I portray to people I know. You can trust Dobby to try his hardest and love you without worry. Sirius Black is a creature of a similar nature; he is persistent, humorous, and loyal. He would do anything for his family, which I love that he is an addition by default to Harry's family. My favorite "relatives" are those we've "adopted". I think the first movies show these character's true colors and do a wonderful job displaying these characteristics as I think J.K. wrote them.
Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone: Solid B
Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets: A
(I just cannot get enough Dobby!)
Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban: B
Year 4: the Goblet of Fire
Trying to move on in an orderly fashion, the Goblet of Fire is easily my favorite book. The movie lays significantly lower on my list. I think the movie industry butchered this book to high heaven and this is where we started to to stray. My number one complaint about this "interpretation" is Michael Gambon, aka Dumbledore. After this movie he admitted he'd never read the books and didn't anticipate it because he "had an image of what Dumbledore was like" based from the script. He played Dumbledore as an aggressive, old man with a short temper. He was not the trusting friend I had grown to love in the books and found him in poor taste for thinking he knew what the fans wanted rather than think about the image we had for so much longer than he could imagine. The wonderful thing about Rowling's work is that she paints a picture when she writes; I can visualize and play out the action, or lack-thereof, and see the character's interactions while I read her work. Had the too-good-for-books actor picked up the book and read a chapter, I'm sure he would have seen the same the thing.
Details were skimmed over, my now husband left the theater harassing me with questions that never got addressed in the movie series. Why was this that way? What did that mean? I don't mind answering questions, but some of them I had no answers. No Dobby in this film made me sad, but the way it was addressed seemed to fit.
Pet Peeve number two: The maze. Don't you go messing with perfection. For all the time they spent in that maze, they could have done it the way the book wrote it. Where are my spiders? My Sphinx? Okay, you had the moving hedges, but where were my Blast-ended Skwerts?! I was dying to see what those would look like. It was one of the few parts of the book I could imagine in my head. I had them like giant maggots with firecrackers coming out both ends, but I have no idea! This part was so much more intense in the book, I failed to feel the intensity and fear in the movie. Sure, it was shown as quiet and dark, but where's the fear in that?
My third, maybe fourth if you count the huge missing details and important key-notes, is the costuming. The kids are in street wear for 95% of the movie and the pajama-things the contestants in the competition wear are a joke... Okay. I'll end movie 4 rant here and swiftly pick up on the next.
Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire: D+
Year 5: Order of the Phoenix
Now, this was my least favorite book in the series.... Harry's teen angst sets my hair on fire. I don't understand why he is so explosively mad and moody, aside the hormones. I can appreciate the book as a part of the series, but still cannot enjoy this one as much as the other in the series. Movie-wise, another flop (in my book). Is it really that hard to stick to a story-line that is literally handed to you? I can, again, appreciate that need to squeeze so much into such a short time block, but I find it unreasonable to walk out of a theater with my hubs and explain every last detail of the movie because the director took so many civil liberties. It makes me want to scream, "THE MOVIES ARE FOR THE FANS!". After all, I'm pretty it's us Potter-freaks who keep the franchise alive.
I will admit, they couldn't have cast a better Professor Umbridge. Her voice, look, and air made my skin crawl. Ms. Staunton, bravo. I was disconcerted with details, details, details. Did I say that already? My bad, they left out so much. Neville's backstory, so key to this series and he's left alone. I would have loved (and laughed) to see Professor Lockhart reappear in St. Mungo's. Sirius doesn't sulk about nearly as much as he should. It's hard to see how unhappy he is living a life in hiding. He's not surly, or angry. Fred and George humor is missing, and I love their quips and quarrels. Where's Marietta's "SNEAK" across the face? Hermione's devishily tricky and conniving in this film and it just throws all that out. Most of all, I feel it doesn't do the DA any props. That was the main issue in the book, and bam. You took it away. Where's my battle during the testing? In fact, where are my O.W.L.S at all? I don't recall you making such a big deal with that! Last, let's not forget about my wonderful Dobby, who again, was shoved in the broom closet.
Order of the Phoenix: D
(I made that face after the film too.)
Year 6: the Half-Blood Prince
Here we go again. This movie hits me angry, just like Goblet of Fire. So much of importance is lost on a screen play written to please the director. I will say I did laugh at some parts, but overall walked out of the theater and couldn't wrap my head around it. Dobby is absent; Sirius plays a miniscule part (in the book it was so much bigger); Dumbledore was angry as ever... It was nice to see them try to put more attention on Ron, but Ron was not the main character. Ron got a girl, but come on, did we really need so much romance? I think not. The movie plays out more teen angst in this one than the previous, and when you read the books, you really move past the angsty-hormones. (Thank god. If I wanted that much, I'd keep up on the Twilight series). The director must not have got enough though. I was disappointed to see the lack of Horcrux information and the lame wand-lighting upon Dumbledore's death. There was no funeral. I feel Slughorn was lacking, I pictured a walrus, I received a beer-gutted, bald guy. The only part I really liked was when Harry took the luck potion. They even downsized the epic battle at the end of the movie, duly dubbed "Snape's Flight". Even more angering, one of the funniest parts of the books was the quidditch scene with Harry getting knocked out cold and Luna Lovegood narrating the match; what happened to that? You mean you didn't have time for that but added in the Burrow getting burned down. Last time I checked, there was protective spells put in place that stopped Death Eaters getting to the Burrow. Let me claim that the book was incredible and the movie lacked stamina. People kept telling me at this point you cannot compare the books and movies, they've evolved and become two separate entities. I beg to differ, and I still stand by my initial thoughts. This movie was upsetting, by far the most confusing for non-readers, and even more disappointing than any of the others.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: F
(I know, I cried at how much I hated it too)
Year 7: Deathly Hallows (Part 1 & 2)
Part 1: Back to raving. Part 1 of the Deathly Hallows is by-far, my most favorite Harry Potter Movie. I'll tell you the first reason is it stuck so close to the book. The second reason, Dobby is finally given his credit where it is due. For the people that watch the movies only, a lot of them were confused by the House-Elf's reappearance and why he was given so much time. I can tell you here it was because the books gave Dobby so much a bigger part. He was essential to the stories, he was also a truely good friend to Harry. I was so glad, and regrettable tearful [read: a hot mess] when Dobby died. The grave was wonderful and it made me feel like he was part of the stories I have grown up loving. Everything about Part 1 was perfect, especially when Harry's wand breaks and he's using the stolen one. When he uses Engorgio on that flame I laugh like it's the first time, every time.
Part 2: Here's where the wonderful critque gets a little harsh. Did the Part 2 just decide that it wasn't good enough to follow the book? Everything I loved about Part 1 seemed to escape them in Part 2. I can appreciate some changes, like Snape dying in the Boat Houses rather than the Shrieking Shack, but there is no closure. Backing up a minute, the trio as parents rocked my awkward socks. Ginny looked crazy mom-like. So did Ron with the comb over. WEIRD. I would have liked seeing them joke about the cars and have people stare at Mr. Potter with Ron's joke about being famous. Anyway... Harry never even fixed his wand!!! What's with that?They never wrap anything up, there is no revisiting and closing with Dumbledore's portrait, Neville wasn't given his shining moment, and what happened to all that hoop-lah about sacrifice? In the books it plays a huge theme. Harry did the same thing his mother had done for him and given up life for his friends. None of Voldemort's spells had much of an effect of them for two reasons; one being the wand wasn't really his, two Harry's sacrifice protected his loved ones. BOOM . That never happened. Yeah, I feel like that was kind of important. Lupin and Tonks were run right over, Harry was the godfather, skipped that whole shebang. One last rant about missing details: Hallows versus Horcuxes. Done.
I must give credit due where it belongs though, because of 2 of 3 of my favorite quotes were used in this movie:
"Quicker and easier than falling asleep." [Sirius to Harry about dying]
"Of course it's all happening in your head, [Harry] but why on earth should that mean it's not real?" [Dumbledore to Harry in purgatory]
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows [Part 1]: A+++
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows [Part 2]: B
Now, since I'm already throwing out my 2 cents, I'm rating and organizing books and movies in order my awesomeness scale.
Books:
1.Goblet of Fire
2. Deathly Hallows
3. Half-Blood Prince
4 - 6 (Ties) Books 1-3
7. Order of the Phoenix
Movies:
1. Deathly Hallows [Part 1]
2. Chamber of Secrets
3. Sorcerer's Stone
4. Prisoner of Azkaban
5. Deathly Hallows [Part 2]
6. Order of the Phoenix
7. Goblet of Fire
8. Half-Blood Prince
Reflections... Amazing.
Years 1-3: Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, and Prisoner of Azkaban
In my humble opinion, I think books and movies should be as close as possible and take little "artistic measure" in order to get higher ratings. These first 3 books and movies were on the right track, followed all the important story lines, captured my favorite moments and did all the characters a just portrayal. Sirius Black is played so well, he's got great timing, looks like I would have imagined, and comes across as a lovable, crazy, nut-job of a Godfather. I think there is some detail left out of Prisoner of Azkaban, but nothing too detrimental to the story. I love, love, love Richard Harris as Dumbledore. I wish that Michael Gambon didn't try to take as much artistic liberties, but I'll touch on that later. Richard Harris had an air of knowing everything that was going on in the school, but playing it out humbly and letting everything unroll as it would naturally. He came across as a caring, lovable, older wizard with a soft spot for a few trouble makers. I also feel the need to hit on the introduction to my two favorite characters in the series; Dobby and Sirius Black. This goes for both movie and books. I am a Dobby freak; if I could think of a way to memorialize Dobby with a tattoo that has to do with neither socks or an image of of him, I would do it. (Let's face it, the guy is adorable, but hella ugly). J.K. Rowling wrote the character of Dobby creating a loyal friend, regardless of errors or mistakes in trying to help, and I love that. Dobby doesn't exactly fit in with his kind, he wants to continue working hard, he just wants a little clothes too. I find his obsession with tea-cozies and socks endearing and his loyalty something I hope I portray to people I know. You can trust Dobby to try his hardest and love you without worry. Sirius Black is a creature of a similar nature; he is persistent, humorous, and loyal. He would do anything for his family, which I love that he is an addition by default to Harry's family. My favorite "relatives" are those we've "adopted". I think the first movies show these character's true colors and do a wonderful job displaying these characteristics as I think J.K. wrote them.
Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone: Solid B
Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets: A
(I just cannot get enough Dobby!)
Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban: B
Year 4: the Goblet of Fire
Trying to move on in an orderly fashion, the Goblet of Fire is easily my favorite book. The movie lays significantly lower on my list. I think the movie industry butchered this book to high heaven and this is where we started to to stray. My number one complaint about this "interpretation" is Michael Gambon, aka Dumbledore. After this movie he admitted he'd never read the books and didn't anticipate it because he "had an image of what Dumbledore was like" based from the script. He played Dumbledore as an aggressive, old man with a short temper. He was not the trusting friend I had grown to love in the books and found him in poor taste for thinking he knew what the fans wanted rather than think about the image we had for so much longer than he could imagine. The wonderful thing about Rowling's work is that she paints a picture when she writes; I can visualize and play out the action, or lack-thereof, and see the character's interactions while I read her work. Had the too-good-for-books actor picked up the book and read a chapter, I'm sure he would have seen the same the thing.
Details were skimmed over, my now husband left the theater harassing me with questions that never got addressed in the movie series. Why was this that way? What did that mean? I don't mind answering questions, but some of them I had no answers. No Dobby in this film made me sad, but the way it was addressed seemed to fit.
Pet Peeve number two: The maze. Don't you go messing with perfection. For all the time they spent in that maze, they could have done it the way the book wrote it. Where are my spiders? My Sphinx? Okay, you had the moving hedges, but where were my Blast-ended Skwerts?! I was dying to see what those would look like. It was one of the few parts of the book I could imagine in my head. I had them like giant maggots with firecrackers coming out both ends, but I have no idea! This part was so much more intense in the book, I failed to feel the intensity and fear in the movie. Sure, it was shown as quiet and dark, but where's the fear in that?
My third, maybe fourth if you count the huge missing details and important key-notes, is the costuming. The kids are in street wear for 95% of the movie and the pajama-things the contestants in the competition wear are a joke... Okay. I'll end movie 4 rant here and swiftly pick up on the next.
Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire: D+
Year 5: Order of the Phoenix
Now, this was my least favorite book in the series.... Harry's teen angst sets my hair on fire. I don't understand why he is so explosively mad and moody, aside the hormones. I can appreciate the book as a part of the series, but still cannot enjoy this one as much as the other in the series. Movie-wise, another flop (in my book). Is it really that hard to stick to a story-line that is literally handed to you? I can, again, appreciate that need to squeeze so much into such a short time block, but I find it unreasonable to walk out of a theater with my hubs and explain every last detail of the movie because the director took so many civil liberties. It makes me want to scream, "THE MOVIES ARE FOR THE FANS!". After all, I'm pretty it's us Potter-freaks who keep the franchise alive.
I will admit, they couldn't have cast a better Professor Umbridge. Her voice, look, and air made my skin crawl. Ms. Staunton, bravo. I was disconcerted with details, details, details. Did I say that already? My bad, they left out so much. Neville's backstory, so key to this series and he's left alone. I would have loved (and laughed) to see Professor Lockhart reappear in St. Mungo's. Sirius doesn't sulk about nearly as much as he should. It's hard to see how unhappy he is living a life in hiding. He's not surly, or angry. Fred and George humor is missing, and I love their quips and quarrels. Where's Marietta's "SNEAK" across the face? Hermione's devishily tricky and conniving in this film and it just throws all that out. Most of all, I feel it doesn't do the DA any props. That was the main issue in the book, and bam. You took it away. Where's my battle during the testing? In fact, where are my O.W.L.S at all? I don't recall you making such a big deal with that! Last, let's not forget about my wonderful Dobby, who again, was shoved in the broom closet.
Order of the Phoenix: D
(I made that face after the film too.)
Year 6: the Half-Blood Prince
Here we go again. This movie hits me angry, just like Goblet of Fire. So much of importance is lost on a screen play written to please the director. I will say I did laugh at some parts, but overall walked out of the theater and couldn't wrap my head around it. Dobby is absent; Sirius plays a miniscule part (in the book it was so much bigger); Dumbledore was angry as ever... It was nice to see them try to put more attention on Ron, but Ron was not the main character. Ron got a girl, but come on, did we really need so much romance? I think not. The movie plays out more teen angst in this one than the previous, and when you read the books, you really move past the angsty-hormones. (Thank god. If I wanted that much, I'd keep up on the Twilight series). The director must not have got enough though. I was disappointed to see the lack of Horcrux information and the lame wand-lighting upon Dumbledore's death. There was no funeral. I feel Slughorn was lacking, I pictured a walrus, I received a beer-gutted, bald guy. The only part I really liked was when Harry took the luck potion. They even downsized the epic battle at the end of the movie, duly dubbed "Snape's Flight". Even more angering, one of the funniest parts of the books was the quidditch scene with Harry getting knocked out cold and Luna Lovegood narrating the match; what happened to that? You mean you didn't have time for that but added in the Burrow getting burned down. Last time I checked, there was protective spells put in place that stopped Death Eaters getting to the Burrow. Let me claim that the book was incredible and the movie lacked stamina. People kept telling me at this point you cannot compare the books and movies, they've evolved and become two separate entities. I beg to differ, and I still stand by my initial thoughts. This movie was upsetting, by far the most confusing for non-readers, and even more disappointing than any of the others.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: F
(I know, I cried at how much I hated it too)
Year 7: Deathly Hallows (Part 1 & 2)
Part 1: Back to raving. Part 1 of the Deathly Hallows is by-far, my most favorite Harry Potter Movie. I'll tell you the first reason is it stuck so close to the book. The second reason, Dobby is finally given his credit where it is due. For the people that watch the movies only, a lot of them were confused by the House-Elf's reappearance and why he was given so much time. I can tell you here it was because the books gave Dobby so much a bigger part. He was essential to the stories, he was also a truely good friend to Harry. I was so glad, and regrettable tearful [read: a hot mess] when Dobby died. The grave was wonderful and it made me feel like he was part of the stories I have grown up loving. Everything about Part 1 was perfect, especially when Harry's wand breaks and he's using the stolen one. When he uses Engorgio on that flame I laugh like it's the first time, every time.
Part 2: Here's where the wonderful critque gets a little harsh. Did the Part 2 just decide that it wasn't good enough to follow the book? Everything I loved about Part 1 seemed to escape them in Part 2. I can appreciate some changes, like Snape dying in the Boat Houses rather than the Shrieking Shack, but there is no closure. Backing up a minute, the trio as parents rocked my awkward socks. Ginny looked crazy mom-like. So did Ron with the comb over. WEIRD. I would have liked seeing them joke about the cars and have people stare at Mr. Potter with Ron's joke about being famous. Anyway... Harry never even fixed his wand!!! What's with that?They never wrap anything up, there is no revisiting and closing with Dumbledore's portrait, Neville wasn't given his shining moment, and what happened to all that hoop-lah about sacrifice? In the books it plays a huge theme. Harry did the same thing his mother had done for him and given up life for his friends. None of Voldemort's spells had much of an effect of them for two reasons; one being the wand wasn't really his, two Harry's sacrifice protected his loved ones. BOOM . That never happened. Yeah, I feel like that was kind of important. Lupin and Tonks were run right over, Harry was the godfather, skipped that whole shebang. One last rant about missing details: Hallows versus Horcuxes. Done.
I must give credit due where it belongs though, because of 2 of 3 of my favorite quotes were used in this movie:
"Quicker and easier than falling asleep." [Sirius to Harry about dying]
"Of course it's all happening in your head, [Harry] but why on earth should that mean it's not real?" [Dumbledore to Harry in purgatory]
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows [Part 1]: A+++
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows [Part 2]: B
Now, since I'm already throwing out my 2 cents, I'm rating and organizing books and movies in order my awesomeness scale.
Books:
1.Goblet of Fire
2. Deathly Hallows
3. Half-Blood Prince
4 - 6 (Ties) Books 1-3
7. Order of the Phoenix
Movies:
1. Deathly Hallows [Part 1]
2. Chamber of Secrets
3. Sorcerer's Stone
4. Prisoner of Azkaban
5. Deathly Hallows [Part 2]
6. Order of the Phoenix
7. Goblet of Fire
8. Half-Blood Prince
Reflections... Amazing.