Yesterday was a scorcher here in SoCal and I spent much of the afternoon running around town taking care of a few errands. It was time for my beautiful 2009 VW Tiguan, which I named Wülfgang Jürgen-Klaüs, to have its annual check-up (almost 1 year to the day that I brought my baby home from the dealership) so I spent sometime waiting for my oil change … then I had to run to the bank, the drug store and drop off a thank you gift for some dear friends of mine. I have been DYING to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince so I made damn sure to see the flick last night:
I made sure to see it in IMAX in 3D and TOTALLY loved it!! While purists are pissed that many things in the book were left out of the movie, I absolutely commend the filmmakers for continuing to bring the books to life in the best way they can. The movies will never do the books justice. Never. Ever. Never. Movies cannot be 8 hours long so things have to be left out. I honestly believe the Harry Potter movies just keep getting better. It’s amazing how much the cute little kids have grown into young adults. Their acting performances have gotten better with age as well. Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy was a revelation … his performance was excellent. I loved the blue tint quality that the movie had over all … it felt a lot like a black & while film. I really did love this big screen adapation … I want to see it again. The opening portion in IMAX 3D was fun … I might have to see it again ;)
Also, it’s time for me to re-read the series. When my reading pile gets a little smaller, I’m planning on re-reading all of the Harry Potter books straight thru. I need to be ready for the final, 2-part film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I think the only way to do the final book justice is over 2 movies … perhaps, at last, HP purisists will be satisfied.
Tonight, I’m planning on hanging out with my friend Tony … not sure what we’re gonna be doing but I haven’t seen him in ages. It’ll be good to hang out again :)
I’m not one that feels the movies should exactly mirror the books, but the movies are starting to feel like they rely way too heavily on the viewer having read the book and entering the theater knowing lots of backstory. I felt there were some changes that would have actually better illustrated some plot points, had those points been included in the movie at all. Especially with Snape, Harry, and Dumbledore at the end, I think that could have worked out so well had they just explained a little more.
I think the cast is AMAZING, the kids have matured into wonderful actors, and it was visually stunning, but I am disappointed with the story.
I agree with what most have said…they totally lost me at the burning of the burrow. That ENTIRE scene was totally pointless. They could’ve added some detail they left out instead…why not Harrys bday party? We get that the death eaters hurt people…we’ve seen that. We didn’t need them to burn down the burrow (which totally screws up the first part of the next movie) to prove it. Also, the ending was so lame. Where was the battle? So they just come in, break some cups and leave? LAME.
Turning the 7th books into two movies is so beyond me. There’s no good reason for that. If they can fit the 5th book into one movie they can fit the seventh book in one movie. Trying to squeeze every last cent out of this franchise that they can. Greedy bastards.
Trent, you must reread all the books! It is something I do every summer, and it’s amazing that I still pick out subtle hints and plot points that I had missed before from the earlier books that are essential in the final books.
The movie was good, and for a non reader (like my husband) it was entertaining and well done. A realist, I realize that the movie is going to be different, and go in with an open mind. I enjoyed the movie and think it is the best yet, but was disappointed with:
* the lack of memories: we needed to see the Gaunts and get a little more feel for young Tom Riddle
* the burrow scene: makes no sense and changes the course of Deathly Hallows…if there is no Bill and Fleur there is no Shell Cottage. Readers know what I mean.
* the fact that Harry just stood around while Dumbeldore died. There was a reason he was in the full body bind curse. Harry would never just stand there.
* NO FUNERAL: enough said
* did not explain the horcruxes enough, nor Dumbeldore’s desire for Harry to search for them when he is no longer able to do so.
However, it was enjoyable and I do plan on going to see it again (and I expect it in my Christmas stocking this year!!!) The acting/casting is spot on. A better cast could not have been assembled.
@ Julie – there still could be the cottage – we could just assume everything happened ya know?
i mean for all we know, they could rebuild the burrow right?
I thought that the changes made in the movie was necessary for the flow of the movie. We all know we can never fit in everything from the books into a movie, and of coz, I still feel that the books are way better. But considering the circumstances, I thought they did an awesome job this time around. I agree, the movies keep getting better and this is by far the best out of the lot! I throughly enjoyed watching it. I went in with really low expectations and was impressed!
I also like how humor was injected throughout the whole movie. I liked it. I didn’t think that there were too many funny scenes in there. I thought it was good, because there were alot of dark scenes too. The actors have really improved too!!
I can’t believe how much I disliked it. It felt like an episode that was desperately needing a next day continuation. I was so disappointed! It didn’t stir anything inside me like the movies before it had. I am not re-reading The Half-Blood Prince to make me feel better =(
While it was not a horrible movie, I’d have loved to see more focus on the half-blood prince because well, that was supposed to have been the focus. And I’m with you on reading the last book before watching the last two movies. But I’ll read it right before watching the first. After all, a Harry Potter book is something you can read in one night. You can’t put it down. ;D
I loved the movie and I loved (finally) reading your review but I have to ask…Welcome Back Potter? Did you steal that from the cover of the Entertainment magazine?
Its a good movie…a well made movie in all sense but how could they possibly leave out Harry-Ginny’s FULL lovestory, the removal of the minister and the fight b/w the order & the death eaters?! Okay leave out the everything but why did they make the HG lovestory soo bleak =(
Ah I think I need to watch the other movies, before seeing this one, but i have heard that some people love it while others hate it.
Anywho; I found these videos, and its so cute. This girl is a true fan girl XD
here are different interviews:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
‘Ron’:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
Emma Watson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
I saw the movie for the second time just yesterday during a very nasty beach day (why does it have to rain on vacation?!) Anyway, after seeing it at midnight for the opening and now a week later I have to say that I absolutely LOVE IT… While I am a huge fan of the books and I completely understand where the purists are coming from, it really would just be too long to fit everything from the book into the movie. I also know quite a few HP fans who rush out to see the movies but who have never read the books (I know, I’m trying to get them to!) and they tell me that they loved this movie as well. I guess if you look at it from their perspective, everything that was added into this movie that was not in the book, sets up the remaining movie(s) nicely. And really after seeing it for the second time, and not trying to remember the book as I was watching, I have to agree. Going into the 7th book I was as confused as everyone else about the whole Horcrux thing and how exactly were they going to find 7, but the whole part with Dumbledore and Harry and how dark magic leaves traces was just brilliant. And even the Burrow burning down was smart in that it solidified the whole Harry/Ginny story well before they even kissed. Because much of book 6 is spent seeing him realize he has feelings for her and you never really see it from her perspective either! It comes out here on IMAX 3D next week… can’t wait!!!
what?