Harry Potter Discussion Thread

[Flacolaco]

Originally Posted by u2sarajevo

I am too. My girls are pumped.

You going to the AMC 12 or the 30?

[Flacolaco]

I have seen a lot of reviews saying that, as a movie, this one is really really good.

I've also seen a lot of reviews complaining about the content and that "nothing really happens", saying that this one is obviously just a setup, with the real payoff still to come. <--- To which I say "duh, didn't you read the book?"

Somehow, 85% of people in theaters have read the books, but only about 2% of people that review movies have.

[u2sarajevo]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

You going to the AMC 12 or the 30?

The closer one.

[Flacolaco]

I will be interested to hear what the scene is like there. I wonder how many screens they'll use on it tonight.

[u2sarajevo]

Oh my... when I bought mine they had 2 showings listed. Now they have 9 midnight showings, five of them sold out. It's going to be packed.

[Flacolaco]

I would not have guessed that many. I wonder what that implies for the other theater.

[alby]

I am so excited!

[u2sarajevo]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

I would not have guessed that many. I wonder what that implies for the other theater.

The other one has 13!!!!! showings, 2 are sold out right now.

[u2sarajevo]

Interesting...

[sike]

From a non book reader...but a dang fine critic of film, Roger Ebert says, "Some of these characters are reprised just as reminders. The giant Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), for example, turns up primarily to allow us to observe, look who's turned up! Snape, as played by Alan Rickman, is given much more dialogue, primarily I suspect because he invests it with such macabre pauses. Radcliffe's Potter is sturdy and boring, as always; it's not easy being the hero with a supporting cast like this. Michael Gambon steals the show as Dumbledore, who for a man his age certainly has some new tricks, so to speak, up his sleeve."

[nikeball]

Spoiler** alert probably for those who have not read the book ---- highlight text

Ugh. I have a feeling I am not going to be sad when Dumbledore (Gambon's version) dies..if Gambon continues to butcher Dumbledore like that. IMO it is supposed to be the most gut wrenching moment of the fraking series.

[u2sarajevo]

Originally Posted by alien snippet

Snape, as played by Alan Rickman, is given much more dialogue, primarily I suspect because he invests it with such macabre pauses.

Unbelievable.

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Shocking words from the mouth of Gambon himself....

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/20...-by-jk-rowling

That....I.....*sigh*.

[Flacolaco]

The nerd level and people watching is not disappointing so far.

[fluid.forty.one]

honestly, I couldn't be a bigger fan of the books but I'm not excited one bit about the movie (or any of the previous movies that I can remember). It just can't be done as well as the book and I'd rather read them.

[Flacolaco]

Piss. F#$king. Poor.

[alby]

HALF BLOOD PRINCE = BEST MOVIE OF THE SERIES = BEST MOVIE OF 2009. WOW.

[Flacolaco]

Originally Posted by alby

HALF BLOOD PRINCE = BEST MOVIE OF THE SERIES = BEST MOVIE OF 2009. WOW.

You sir, are an idiot.

Or

You haven't read the books.

Either way, I contend that it was piss poor story telling. The book has a beginning, a middle, and an end. There is "rising action" in the book, leading you to actually give two sh!tz about the ending. This movie took basically zero of the beginning, zero of the middle, mixed it up with some kind of bs they imagined up in the writers room, then slapped the end onto it and expected you to care about it.

I've read the book 17 times and I still didn't care. Even when they looked like they were going to get a scene "bang on" there would come some huge, irreconcilable discrepancy thrown in just for the sake of change. Change for the sake of change...that's what this movie should be called.

I'm going to enumerate the plethora of epic failures tomorrow morning, but for now I'll just say that having Ginny hide Harry's book destroyed, nay, obliterated continuity. Just flat out murdered it, cut off its head and buried it in the back yard. Awful.

[alby]

I have read the books; multiple times. The movies are a representation of the novels, not exact replicas. HBP definitely had the perfect blend of stuff for those who just watch the movies, but love the HP series + those who read the books, and love the HP series + those who casually just go to any blockbuster. I am happy the way it ended. Be prepared for some major action in the next two!

[alby]

ps: Which movie out of the series would you consider better? and what movie in 2009 do you consider better?

[alby]

flacolaco vs. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/harr..._blood_prince/

[u2sarajevo]

So how is Harry going to find out about the Cup? The Snake? Will they keep the locket at Grimauld Place? Are they going to establish that Harry inherited the Black estate?

I almost thought they wouldn't have Malfoy disarm Dumbledore.

I have more thoughts but I'm tired. It was highly entertaining though. I plan on seeing it again w/my wife and not think about what they are leaving out.

[u2sarajevo]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

You sir, are an idiot.

Or

You haven't read the books.

Either way, I contend that it was piss poor story telling. The book has a beginning, a middle, and an end. There is "rising action" in the book, leading you to actually give two sh!tz about the ending. This movie took basically zero of the beginning, zero of the middle, mixed it up with some kind of bs they imagined up in the writers room, then slapped the end onto it and expected you to care about it.

I've read the book 17 times and I still didn't care. Even when they looked like they were going to get a scene "bang on" there would come some huge, irreconcilable discrepancy thrown in just for the sake of change. Change for the sake of change...that's what this movie should be called.

I'm going to enumerate the plethora of epic failures tomorrow morning, but for now I'll just say that having Ginny hide Harry's book destroyed, nay, obliterated continuity. Just flat out murdered it, cut off its head and buried it in the back yard. Awful.

That was pathetic.

Why no mention of DD hand?
Why no mention of Inferi?
Why no Kreacher?
Why no horcrux enumeration conversation between DD/Harry?
Why mute Riddle saying Horcrux in the modified memory?

I'm tired.

Good night.

[Flacolaco]

I almost thought they wouldn't have Malfoy disarm Dumbledore

Thank you. I had a very anxious moment with this as well. That would have just ruined the entire rest of the series, and for a second I was sure it wasn't going to happen.

And alby, dude....I will be happy to discuss this in the morning. I have spent the last several days defending the movies to these vultures, but this one crossed the line. Instead of making smart decisions about how to creatively incorporate elements from the books in different, more convenient ways, this one ignored them altogether or changed them for no reason other than to change them. This one crossed the line big time.

[Flacolaco]

On a positive note, before I take my 3 hour nap, I thought the end was handled well. I almost stood up and applauded when they actually acknowledged that the locket was a fake, and even read the note inside it. I was shocked. After ignoring every single important thing they could, they finally focused on something that was relevant.

But mostly, this movie was "GOF part 2:Teenagers are horny and stuff" WHO CARES.

The great news is that DH has little to no teenage angst and stupid kissy BS, so I HOPE they'll have a hard time inventing it and shoving it down our collective throat once again.

[jthig32]

*sigh*

Maybe I'll wait for the DVD.

[Big Boy Laroux]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

The great news is that DH has little to no teenage angst and stupid kissy BS, so I HOPE they'll have a hard time inventing it and shoving it down our collective throat once again.

um, what makes you think they won't invent something?

"hmmmm... Ginny and Harry are supposed to be an item, ron and hermoine get together... i have an idea! let's invent a new character that likes BOTH ron and harry. Then it will be a love quintangle*, with ron, hermoine, harry, ginny, and this new girl! sparks will fly!!!! everyone will love it!!!!"


*I was going to use "pentagon", but figured these film writers would rather invent a new word in addition to new scenes and characters.

[fluid.forty.one]

haha I can't wait to hear the rants this morning

[Flacolaco]

I finally had a free moment just now and scanned for reviews on the net....everyone loves the crap out of it so obviously I am crazy.

I thought Ron was the only accurately portrayed character in this movie. He was brilliant in the love potion scene.

I also thought Broadbent, while not nearly fat enough, was entertaining enough as slughorn.

When I saw Neville serving drinks at Slughorns party, I couldn't help but think "there's neville in the movies doing the work of a house elf again."

[mary]

The constant hooting and hollering from the crowd everytime a character ogled another character kinda ruined it for me. And there was ALOT of that. I'm not a book purist by any means, but I would've been happier with a darker movie. It was entertaining enough. Personally, I'm pretty impressed with how far the trio has come in terms of acting. The kid that played Tom Riddle also did a fine job.

I agree with Flaco that there wasn't much build up to the ending...and Harry should've been paralyzed in the tower scene.

I think I'll skip next year's midnight showing.

[Five-ofan]

Originally Posted by u2sarajevo

That was pathetic.

Why no mention of DD hand?
Why no mention of Inferi?
Why no Kreacher?
Why no horcrux enumeration conversation between DD/Harry?
Why mute Riddle saying Horcrux in the modified memory?

I'm tired.

Good night.

Dont read this if you havent seen the movie









why take the entire effing final battle scene out?????
Why put the burrow fight scene in?
Did the writers not realize by not having harry immobilized at the end that they completely destroyed 5 and 9/10 books/movies worth of character development? At what point has harry ever not just rushed blindly ahead whether he was told too or not? Now were supposed to believe he just sat there and watched dumbledore die????
For those that have read book 7, how exactly is harry going to know where the diadem is now? Did the screen writers not read the next book????
If they were going to worry so much about kissing and such why didnt they leave the actual harry and ginny kiss in there? It was alot better. Also by not showing that they essentially made it like harry received no punishment for using sectum sempra.

I understand they have to change things in order to cut down on the time. That said, most of the changes didnt save time at all. They were just changes for change sake as has already been mentioned. Essentially if youve never read the books you should like the movie, if you have itll suck.

[sike]

all my pals who LOVE HP hate the flick...and all the rest of my pals who just casually follow HP liked the film a lot.

HBP is my favorite book of the series...I'm a little nervous after hearing you hardcore guys slam it.

[Flacolaco]

As much as I think they purposefully went through and left out everything that's important for the next movies going forward and obscenely wrecked continuity, I am still interested in seeing it again very soon.

[u2sarajevo]

I said it was entertaining. It just was. Block out the fact that they aren't concerned about the actual story and you are left with a really decent movie.

[nikeball]

Ok after stewing on this for about 48 hours..

The first half of the movie was pretty good.

They botched up the second half really badly.

-What the hell was the point of the Death Eaters entering Hogwarts? Wasn't that the biggest part of the book? When we found out Draco was up to? They just came out of the vanishing cabinet to fraking sneak around and then run away??? WTF.

-Then Dumbledore's death. WTF why the hell was barely anyone sad? Everyone was supposed to be distraught. The greatest good wizard was finally killed. Everyone is screwed. People are supposed to be FRAKKING SAD AND SCARED.

-Snape and Harry's exchange. It should've been way more dramatic on Snape's side. Not just calm. Was he not LIVID?

I thought the side/smaller actors were great. Luna, Lavender, Cormac, Bellatrix, Snape and young Voldemort. Ron was awesome as well. Drunk Harry on Felix Felicis was weird. Emma was SO CUTE.

[Flacolaco]

Yeah, the Felix thing was a little weird on his part. Agree about Snape's sequence at the end. That's such a pivotal moment for me in the series, and she describes his demeanor and facial expressions very clearly.... we got none of it.

The director is at fault.

[Murphy3]

Here's a thought.. don't read the books since you know the movies coming out. This particular genre has much better options to choose from when it comes to actual books. Stay far away from the crap written for 3 year olds and mix something in for someone post puberty.

[jthig32]

So....

Let me start out by saying that I think my experience was actually improved by knowing mostly what to expect going in. I would have been livid had I discovered many of the terrible story decisions during the movie.

The first half, maybe even 3/4's of the movie was pretty freaking good. I mean the attack on the burrow was ridiculous, pointless, and a complete waste of time. But knowing that stuff like that is always going to be there, I thought the early parts of the movie were very well done. We were on our way to the best HP movie by a freaking mile. I don't even have that much of a problem with all of the romance. You can't have a coming of age story without the romance.

Then things just felll apart in epic fashion. So we couldn't have taken out the attack on the burrow, or Harry and Dumbledore going to see Slughorn, and inserted ONE EFFING CONVERSATION about what horcruxes really were, what Voldy might use as horcruxes, or hell, even NOT SAY that horcruxes could be any random everyday object!!!!

And the end....the end. *sigh* I thought the cave was really well done. It was visually good, it was tense, Gambon actually did a good job. It was all good. The astronomy tower...bleah. How do you not petrify Harry? As 5-0 said, how do you just destroy all of that character development? This was even worse than Dumbledore throughout GOF. Just a horrendous, horrendous decision.

And the chase through the grounds...epic failure. No buildup, no passion, no panic. Nothing. It was so pathetic.

And back to Dumbledore below the astronomy tower...people should be FREAKING THE EFF OUT. Yes it's sad. Very, very sad (and they weren't even that sad either, just somber). But people should be devastated, scared out of their minds. I realize you don't have time for the hospital scene, so we can't see Lupin freak out. But anyone who's read the books realizes what a moment that was. It was understated but powerful to have someone like Lupin devastated by the news of the death. And viewers need to realize the magnitude of what just happened, and I'm not sure they do. You're in a bitter war against a great dark wizard, and your champion, your leader, the greatest wizard who ever lived has just effing been killed! And we all just calmly raise our wands and lumos to the heavens? Really?

On that same note...no funeral. Uggg. Whatever. You don't have time, you don't want to water down the ending. Whatever. It's a perfect example of why the movies fail at capturing the depth of the books. It's why Harry burying Dobby next movie (if it even happens) will be so much less significant. Because viewers won't really understand the transformation Harry is beginning. They won't understand the resolve that is growing inside of him. Quadruple bleah.

And of course everything about the next book is all screwed up. Harry has no idea what any of the other horcruxes are. Dumbledore's wand is not where it is supposed to be. Harry has no idea where the diadem is (but that may not even matter).

Oh, and I'd be remiss if I didn't throw out one final complaint: The flying without broom sticks as black mist if effing ridiculous. It's one of the dumbest ancillary things they've ever done, and they can't keep from doing it over and over again. And it drives me insane.

I'm sure I'll think of more as the discussion goes on. There were plenty of things I liked about the movie, which makes me even angrier about the ridiculous decisions made on the continuity.

[Flacolaco]

Thanks for your thoughts, thig. Those are all...err... "bang on"

News is coming down today that Krum will reprise his role in the next movie for the wedding scene.

My initial reaction was "oh, that's nice?" But the more I think about it, the more it makes me angry. Who cares about that wedding scene? The only important thing is the way it ends. But to Warner Brothers it probably represents the only romance in the first half of DH so I wonder how much it will be played up and screwed with.

If they have time to dick around with who's going to be in the wedding scene, then why didn't they have time to mention that the snake might be a horcrux? Hmmm?

[jthig32]

I would view the wedding much like I viewed visiting Slughorn's house. It's not a bad scene, and in a vacuum I'd have no problem with it being in the movie. But when considered against all that was left out in HBP and all that I expect to be left out in DH, it's a complete waste of time.

Honestly, the attack on the burrow almost felt like they decided they needed to shove Tonks and Lupin in somehow. What a terrible scene.