Order of the Phoenix
Cheerful
I am VERY pleased.
~ As both an AVID Harry Potter fan, AND as a film student, I can honestly say that this one could be the best yet; although it comes in VERY close with Goblet of Fire. Both of these two do great honor to the books as well as stand well on their own. I thought the choices they made in regards to what to take out were smartly made, and didn't leave the film lacking, really. I think the difference in screenwriters does stand out; as well as the director, who, though new, is still English.
~ The theme of this one stands out to me; a theme that really parallels the books: that Harry is NOT, in fact, alone. There are people in his life that genuinely care about him and will stand by him. A theme that will be continued in the next film. (I hope; it does in the books, anyway).
~ The acting of the three kids just gets better and better.
~ It's darker, but this time, appropriately so (unlike Azkaban). I'm thrilled that they finally got the Patronus Charm right; i.e., the light actually forms animal figures that move around and charge the dementors, as opposed to the mere ball of light from the end of Azkaban).
~ I couldn't be happier with Belatrix LeStrange (except, perhaps, for the way they pronounced it :b), Imelda Staunton nailed Umbridge, Alan Rickman was superb as Snape----as usual----and Harry's relationship with Sirius was well done. I was particularly pleased with the poetic foreshadowing when Sirius made the comment, "when this is over, we'll be a family," followed by the close-up of his name burned off of the Black Family Tree.
~ Fred and George were awesome, of course! I would have liked to see more of them, as always, but what they did get I was very pleased with. I liked the touch of the gigantic "W" in the sky as they flew off. Although I would have liked their comment about their new premises (sp?) in Diagon Alley, especially since we probably won't see them in the next film.
At least not very much.~ I got very choked up at the end, although not in the place I expected; I thought the way in which Sirius was killed was somewhat unclear, in that they changed what spell Bellatrix cast. Instead of the stunning spell, she used Avada Kedavra, and Sirius seemed to....block it...? Then fall back through the curtain....except he kind of was pulled in, then up...? Anyways, it was vague. I thought Radcliff's reaction was well put-together. From a filmmaking perspective, the choice to do that sequence without audio, and just musical score was a VERY good one. It really helped convey the emotion. I started getting emotional there, but it really hit me hardest when Voldemort was possessing Harry. That was just so powerfully done.
~ And just imagine what's coming in the next movie!!! For those of you who know the book, you know what I'm talking about!
~ One thing I'm particularly looking forward to is the scene in Spinner's End, when Snape and Bellatrix and Narcissa have their little discussion about Snape's loyalty. Alan Rickman and Helena Bonham-Carter are going to NAIL that scene!!
Overall, I'm extremely happy and am EAGERLY awaiting Half-Blood Prince.
And, of course, now I have Deathly Hallows in my possession, so I'm off to go read.
And, no, thank you very much, I have NOT read the end. I don't want to have the whole book ruined for me, which, knowing whether Harry lives or dies, would do. For me.
Yay for Harry Potter!!!
AND J.K. ROWLING!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~ M.E. ~
Devious Comments
See, wasn't it AWESOME?!!
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"I WILL feast upon your heart before all is said and done." ~Jeggred Benrae.
"No doubt it will improve your breath!" ~Pharaun Mizzrym.
Ressurection: War of the Spider Queen, book 6, by Paul S. Kemp
Can't wait for more. Even with the book coming out this weekend, I'm still going to be eager for the next movie.
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No matter how subtle the wizard,
a knife between the shoulder blades
will seriously cramp his style...
[link]
There were also a few things I didn't think were cleared up properly:
1.) The dementors (which I loathed in this film -- too cheesy). The never stated how Umbridge sent them -- if you never read the books, you'd have no idea.
2.) Cho. She became the sneak in the movie and Snape reveals that it was only because of the veritaserum. But in that case, Harry really has no right to still be angry with her, and I don't think they portrayed her quite as the crying, jealous, confused, emotional girl that she is.
3.) The prophecy. When Harry goes back to Dumbledore's office after they fight Voldemort, they hardly say anything! They only told the main point of the prophecy -- that one has to kill the other. They didn't talk about the importance of love, or the locked room in the Department of Mysteries, which I think may be important. Also, as Radcliffe's acting gets better and better (I thought he was great in this one), I would have loved to see him destroy Dumbledore's office. At the same time, though, I don't know how well it would go over because I really dislike the actor that plays Dumbledore and have never felt that he plays the part correctly.
As far as new characters go, Umbridge was really good -- delightfully hateable. However, I thought she was a little bit too large and cheery. Of course -- this is just personal opinion -- I had always imagined her squatter, flabbier, and lurkier. She was good for the flim, but I thought slightly off from the books. Luna and Bellatrix were absolutely perfect in my opinion. It made me incredibly happy that Luna had her radish earrings on. She was a little more talkative and forward in the books, perhaps, but I liked her immensely in the movie.
Oh one more thing -- like you said, I loved the silence they put in when Sirius died -- but I saw the veil as something more physical, where he fell through but never came out on the other side. I imagined it black and tattered. But after that, you didn't really see Harry's difficulty dealing with Sirius's death and it was hard to see how much he grieved. I did like the way they portrayed their relationship, though, like you said. But I would have wished to see a bit more grief.
Well anyway, there's my formal critique! I'll be at the bookstore tonight and I absolutely cannot wait!
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If you have 3 cans of soda and you gave it to a hobo, why do they have toes?? None! BEARS DON'T EAT CHICKEN!!!!
My.Photography: ~Photolectric
But I was pleased with so much more in the film, and how, while they cut stuff out, the movie still worked so well as an individual piece. Especially compared to the other movies (tho maybe not Goblet, which is the other best one), particularly the third one. Yeah, they left stuff open-ended, but they nearly always do. I can't imagine trying to make sense of the whole film series without having read the books.
I have a feeling that they're not done with Cho. That they might have that whole plotline trickle in to the next movie. If they don't, then, yeah, that's bad. But for some reason, I feel like they're going to have that be resolved, just later.
I'm a pretty big fan of Imelda Staunton, and so I was just so thrilled with her portrayal of Umbridge. They went for the stylistic approach with her being so pretty, rather than toad-like. It almost adds to the theme more, that she's so NOT what she seems.
Anyways, I'm sorry you didn't like it more. But, honestly --- aren't you looking forward to that scene with Snape and Bellatrix in the next movie?!?!?
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No matter how subtle the wizard,
a knife between the shoulder blades
will seriously cramp his style...
[link]
Oh, by the way, I actually really did like it a lot -- just when it comes to critiquing, I'm better at criticism than compliments haha. And can't WAIT for Snape and Bellatrix -- true!
I just finished DH a couple hours ago... have you gotten around to it yet?
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If you have 3 cans of soda and you gave it to a hobo, why do they have toes?? None! BEARS DON'T EAT CHICKEN!!!!
My.Photography: ~Photolectric
Yepyep, finished Book Seven yesterday. Tried to take it as slow as I could, but I couldn't. I am, however, already re-reading it. But this time, I'm listening to the audio CDs. Already, it's been educational and I'm only back to Chapter four.
What were your thoughts about the book? Just to say a little of my reaction, I did enjoy it, and I thought it was a nice conclusion. EXCEPT for the Epilogue. See my journal entry, I go into it there: [link] .
Your thoughts?
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No matter how subtle the wizard,
a knife between the shoulder blades
will seriously cramp his style...
[link]
i want to start rereading it, but my mom just took it, and now that she's done my dad has it, and after he reads it my sister wants to. so i probably won't for a while haha.
i think i already commented on that journal entry...
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If you have 3 cans of soda and you gave it to a hobo, why do they have toes?? None! BEARS DON'T EAT CHICKEN!!!!
My.Photography: ~Photolectric
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