I thought the film was AWESOME as well, really looking forward to the next part. Was a little disturbed by the scene where Hermoine wiped her parents minds, very unnerving!
Yeah, that was a little disturbing in the book too, even if a little better explained with their dream now always having been moving to Australia. Pretty extreme in any case!
I thought it was a very touching scene, it's disturbing, but it's also clearly about loving, worrying, and a hard decision to make. How she disappeared from the photographs? It's amazing. Beautifully executed.
Yes, I know, and it was very touching, shiver inducing, tear jerking and all that, just with a side of "How can you do that?! What crazy kind of plan is that?!?" for me, because I'd definitely rather die at Bellatrix' hand than just forget my kid after 18 years and Hermione couldn't be sure that she'd be back to reverse it, if you know what I mean.
* They didn't mention it was Snape who cut off George's ear, right? I think they should have.
pennswoods's theory is that he didn't, they're just going to leave that as generic curse damage stuff, and that it's going to have been Severus who killed Hedwig. This whole setup doesn't set well with me at all if it turns out to have been the case.
Dudley reconciliation. I get that they wanted Harry, Hermione and Ron to be mostly silent for pacing reasons, but it would have just been very nice and easy to do.
They could have had Dudley there and look back at Harry in the window, or something.
You're right, even silently they could have still somehow incorporated it. :/
Hm, I would have never suspected movie!Snape of killing Hedwig. Of course I'd rather they don't bring up his role during that scene, if they're not going to stay true to canon anyway. It's not like the movie only crowd is waiting for that info now.
I totally agree. I was so impressed with the movie, which is definitely saying something since I was not overfond of the book, particularly the first half (I think the pacing in the book is excruciatingly slow in the first half).
This was the first Potter movie that I feel confident in saying was better than its source material. It was also the first adaptation by Steve Kloves that didn't make me want to go on a screaming crotch-punching spree.
edited reply ... I made something up therenemesisterDecember 1 2010, 12:35:37 UTC
Agreed(well, except that most of the films didn't cause violent urges in me. :p I just figured adaptations will never be as good as the book... Never say never!). I do think the movie also made me appreciate the book more. It's obviously a great story, but yes, almost better to watch, kind of like LotR, /blasphemy.
I don't think that "DEATHLY HALLOWS Part 1" was the best HP movie to date. I think it was second best. I still love "PRISONER OF AZKABAN" a little more.
PoA had a few jarring flaws IMO, like that werewolf(!) and Ron being out of character, not to mention the lack of explanation for the Marauder's Map. This was basically flawless.
Prisoner of Azkaban had a great style to it, and that improved all the movies that came after. It completely missed what the book was actually about, though.
It also introduced the insanity of flying dementors, which really bit them in the ass in the courtroom scene.
Until Half Blood Prince came out, Chamber of Secrets was my favorite, because it seemed to be the most comfortable with being a movie, and not just an adaptation. I think that comes from a not-first-time director.
To me, Chamber of Secrets has some obvious problems with it, too. I mean, for one, Tom Riddle who is supposed to be student age and look somewhat like Harry is like 45 (I exaggerate but you know what I mean). Overall, CC seems to have been quite comfortable with having people cast in roles they were at least 25 years too old to play. Sometimes this worked out in our favour (ALANRICKMANASSNAPEZOMG) but other times it resulted in craziness like Moaning Myrtle. I mean, really? She was nearly 40 when she shot CoS. I'm all for suspension of disbelief, but what the hell
( ... )
here via hp_essayspathology_docDecember 1 2010, 12:55:26 UTC
I loved your review! I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head, but I'd like to raise a few points for discussion.
1) Grindelwald betraying the wand - I wonder if they weren't told "leave the Albus/Gellert gay stuff out or we will send this to development hell until Dan Radcliffe is old enough to play Dumbledore." Unfair, yes, but it's either proceed along those lines or betray the fans utterly by never having the films made. I think in canon Voldemort probably figured it out himself that Gellert was lying to him or trying to cover, and put two and two together about who would have it and where it might be. You certainly have a point that in the film it's far easier for Gellert to tell him.
2) Sadly Ginny is just a hopeless case.
My mileage varies. :) I think they did that to cut him off from her quickly and brutally, to emphasise the separation he has from everything he loves except Hermione and Ron.
3) They didn't mention it was Snape who cut off George's ear, right? No, they didn't. I suspect it will enable them to
( ... )
Re: here via hp_essaysnemesisterDecember 1 2010, 21:35:00 UTC
Wow, I wonder if you're on to something with the gay stuff. The actor who plays Gellert gave an interview referring to Albus as his lover, so back then I kind of hoped that would be understood in the movies, but I guess not. Seems like most opportunities to hint at that have gone by. :/
I was more upset that they never described or showed the manner of Moody's death
Moody's death was one thing that was better dealt with in the book. There was a really great line about what loss feels like. Can't remember it right now, but I remember it was great. In the movie it was very apropos. Showing it would have been a nice touch.
Unfortunately this is the side-effect of having left his wounding out of the HBP film (as well as pretty much the entire fight at the end of the book)
Which is one of the most mind-boggling decisions in the franchise (not Bill, specifically, of course). Who cares about a grand finale, right? We already did that last time. I mean, what? I don't understand how these are the same filmmakers
( ... )
Re: here via hp_essayspathology_docDecember 1 2010, 23:21:28 UTC
In hindsight I also wished it would have been Harry/Luna, for the extra Luna time and because it would be a really sweet and original ship.
I can't help but thinking that if Ron and Ginny had both died in the final battle (not implausible), Harry would have gone with Luna rather than Hermione and certainly if Ginny alone had died. I think there are ways to write H/Hr as an AU ship that works, but I don't think Hermione would be as good at helping him through the loss of Remus, Tonks, Colin, Fred, (Ron) and Ginny all in one night as Luna would.
Comments 29
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
pennswoods's theory is that he didn't, they're just going to leave that as generic curse damage stuff, and that it's going to have been Severus who killed Hedwig. This whole setup doesn't set well with me at all if it turns out to have been the case.
Dudley reconciliation. I get that they wanted Harry, Hermione and Ron to be mostly silent for pacing reasons, but it would have just been very nice and easy to do.
They could have had Dudley there and look back at Harry in the window, or something.
Reply
Hm, I would have never suspected movie!Snape of killing Hedwig. Of course I'd rather they don't bring up his role during that scene, if they're not going to stay true to canon anyway. It's not like the movie only crowd is waiting for that info now.
Reply
This was the first Potter movie that I feel confident in saying was better than its source material. It was also the first adaptation by Steve Kloves that didn't make me want to go on a screaming crotch-punching spree.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
It also introduced the insanity of flying dementors, which really bit them in the ass in the courtroom scene.
Until Half Blood Prince came out, Chamber of Secrets was my favorite, because it seemed to be the most comfortable with being a movie, and not just an adaptation. I think that comes from a not-first-time director.
Reply
Reply
1) Grindelwald betraying the wand - I wonder if they weren't told "leave the Albus/Gellert gay stuff out or we will send this to development hell until Dan Radcliffe is old enough to play Dumbledore." Unfair, yes, but it's either proceed along those lines or betray the fans utterly by never having the films made. I think in canon Voldemort probably figured it out himself that Gellert was lying to him or trying to cover, and put two and two together about who would have it and where it might be. You certainly have a point that in the film it's far easier for Gellert to tell him.
2) Sadly Ginny is just a hopeless case.
My mileage varies. :) I think they did that to cut him off from her quickly and brutally, to emphasise the separation he has from everything he loves except Hermione and Ron.
3) They didn't mention it was Snape who cut off George's ear, right? No, they didn't. I suspect it will enable them to ( ... )
Reply
I was more upset that they never described or showed the manner of Moody's death
Moody's death was one thing that was better dealt with in the book. There was a really great line about what loss feels like. Can't remember it right now, but I remember it was great. In the movie it was very apropos. Showing it would have been a nice touch.
Unfortunately this is the side-effect of having left his wounding out of the HBP film (as well as pretty much the entire fight at the end of the book)
Which is one of the most mind-boggling decisions in the franchise (not Bill, specifically, of course). Who cares about a grand finale, right? We already did that last time. I mean, what? I don't understand how these are the same filmmakers ( ... )
Reply
I can't help but thinking that if Ron and Ginny had both died in the final battle (not implausible), Harry would have gone with Luna rather than Hermione and certainly if Ginny alone had died. I think there are ways to write H/Hr as an AU ship that works, but I don't think Hermione would be as good at helping him through the loss of Remus, Tonks, Colin, Fred, (Ron) and Ginny all in one night as Luna would.
Reply
And, Oh, Harry/Luna just WORKS. One doesn't have to ship it, Rowling herself give us more than enough material to prove it works in ways HG never did.
Reply
Leave a comment