Some Ups and Downs of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Some Ups:
Much, much better than the previous installments. Enjoyable, mature and yet able for the younger audience to relate.
I have serious issues with Parts 4 and 5 especially. This one follows much closer to the book, but to be fair, they already know the ending, so it's easier to weed out the less important side plots as opposed to just guessing.
Acting improvements all around. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson really brought it all out.
The opening scene is brilliant. I love that they cut it to the chase for the audience that don't read the books. I went to watch HP and Order of the Phoenix with a friend that doesn't read the books, and she didn't enjoy the movie because she couldn't follow the plot, and kept asking me in the middle of the screening to explain the scenes to her.
You-know-who is scary/creepy enough. The type of villain that's able to kill you and not even notice it. I love this type of villain because they are so easy to hate.
The Polyjuiced Harry, Ron and Hermione are hilarious! Especially the way Harry walked, it conveyed his uncertainty easily and naturally i think. It suited his character.
The scenery of the places that they journeyed through are breathtaking. I want to go there!!!
Tension between the three friends is nicely done too. They can't go in depth, but they poured in just about the right amount of emotions.
Special effects are awesome. I literally jumped on my seat when Nagini strikes out from the broken hole of Bathilda Bagshot into the screen. Imagine it in 3D.
Also impressive is that animation they used during retelling of the Deathly Hallows. It reminds me of the Indonesian type of art, wayang kulit, or shadow puppets. The angles and general appearances of the animation are so reminiscent of that. Also shades of Neil Gaiman.
Dobby! Cute in the beginning and so heartbreaking in the end, even though I'm expecting his death.
Some Downs:
Not enough Snape. Seriously. The entrance was grand and arrogant and perfect. I'm glad they didn't follow the book and have Snape and another Death-Eater enter at the same time.
The conversation Ron and Harry had after Ron destroyed the locket, the one where Harry told Ron that Hermione cried and that she's like a sister to him, nothing more. I waited for that scene, because I wanted it to be more angsty. LOL
They should explain why Harry did some things that they did, because a couple of the scenes kinda change direction abruptly, and unless you are a fan and have read the books you might not be able to get it.
Narcissa is not how I pictured her to be. Huh.
I should be able to come up with more Downs but I can't keep my eyes open :)
Note to self: Read the book again to refresh your memory before watching Part 2. Can't wait to see the big battle at Hogwarts!
Much, much better than the previous installments. Enjoyable, mature and yet able for the younger audience to relate.
I have serious issues with Parts 4 and 5 especially. This one follows much closer to the book, but to be fair, they already know the ending, so it's easier to weed out the less important side plots as opposed to just guessing.
Acting improvements all around. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson really brought it all out.
The opening scene is brilliant. I love that they cut it to the chase for the audience that don't read the books. I went to watch HP and Order of the Phoenix with a friend that doesn't read the books, and she didn't enjoy the movie because she couldn't follow the plot, and kept asking me in the middle of the screening to explain the scenes to her.
You-know-who is scary/creepy enough. The type of villain that's able to kill you and not even notice it. I love this type of villain because they are so easy to hate.
The Polyjuiced Harry, Ron and Hermione are hilarious! Especially the way Harry walked, it conveyed his uncertainty easily and naturally i think. It suited his character.
The scenery of the places that they journeyed through are breathtaking. I want to go there!!!
Tension between the three friends is nicely done too. They can't go in depth, but they poured in just about the right amount of emotions.
Special effects are awesome. I literally jumped on my seat when Nagini strikes out from the broken hole of Bathilda Bagshot into the screen. Imagine it in 3D.
Also impressive is that animation they used during retelling of the Deathly Hallows. It reminds me of the Indonesian type of art, wayang kulit, or shadow puppets. The angles and general appearances of the animation are so reminiscent of that. Also shades of Neil Gaiman.
Dobby! Cute in the beginning and so heartbreaking in the end, even though I'm expecting his death.
Some Downs:
Not enough Snape. Seriously. The entrance was grand and arrogant and perfect. I'm glad they didn't follow the book and have Snape and another Death-Eater enter at the same time.
The conversation Ron and Harry had after Ron destroyed the locket, the one where Harry told Ron that Hermione cried and that she's like a sister to him, nothing more. I waited for that scene, because I wanted it to be more angsty. LOL
They should explain why Harry did some things that they did, because a couple of the scenes kinda change direction abruptly, and unless you are a fan and have read the books you might not be able to get it.
Narcissa is not how I pictured her to be. Huh.
I should be able to come up with more Downs but I can't keep my eyes open :)
Note to self: Read the book again to refresh your memory before watching Part 2. Can't wait to see the big battle at Hogwarts!