Comments on: Welcome Back, ‘Potter’

By: alex

alex — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:53:29 +0000

what?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:06:58 +0000

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!!!

By: Ama

Ama — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:49:48 +0000

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

By: Neha

Neha — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:29:30 +0000

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 =(

By: Ashlee

Ashlee — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:34:20 +0000

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?

By: Meream

Meream — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:46:46 +0000

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

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:40:47 +0000

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 =(

By: vintage

vintage — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:46:08 +0000

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!!

By: nicole

nicole — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:33:10 +0000

@ 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?

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:26:52 +0000

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.

By: Jeni

Jeni — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:41:46 +0000

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.

By: lisa

lisa — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:30:46 +0000

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.

By: Reader

Reader — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:13:37 +0000

I totally love it too!

By: lizzie

lizzie — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:03:32 +0000

I’m glad you enjoyed it Trent, cos I did too! I loved the way they filmed, the director did a fantastic job.

And I think they left out the battle scene at the end to make the Battle of Hogwarts in the final movie more epic.

Also, they added in the Burning of the Burrow to show how the Death Eaters torment their victims, and for Harry to experience it first hand. All a bit confusing, but I hope they wrap things up neatly in the end. All in all, I loved it!

By: Kristy

Kristy — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:11:18 +0000

@ Justin… that was my biggest beef with the movie too. Harry, in book OR movie, would never just stand by and watch.

By: Kristy

Kristy — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:06:01 +0000

@ Nicole, maybe they’ll fill in some of the gaps they left out in this movie over the course of the next two. I suppose it doesn’t really matter in which film all the backstories occur. I’m always curious how people who haven’t read the books feel like after watching the movies. I think I’d be very confused if I wasn’t able to fill in all the missing bits from the books.

By: nicole

nicole — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:06:42 +0000

@ Kristy, i was thinking the same – about it being 2 movies – and the only thing i can think of..was maybe they werent going to cut so much out…but after seeing the half blood prince…i have a feeling they had a lot of rewriting to do, to fit some things in.

By: Kristy

Kristy — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:39:53 +0000

I’m not sure how I feel about the last movie being two parts. When I finished reading The Deathly Hallows, I thought “Finally, here’s a book they can do justice to in a movie!” It felt like the first half dragged on and on with them hiding in the woods and nothing happening, and then the ending was over so quickly. I was really disappointed in it, so I’m not sure how two movies will be a good thing. I suppose a BILLION dollars a film is hard to re$i$t.

By: Janey

Janey — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:07:57 +0000

I agree that a lot of very pertinent info was left out. However, I went and saw it a second time and felt much better about it. Not nearly as disappointed as when I saw it the first time at midnight (a little tipsy, I might add! :)

My suggestion is to go see it again and then see how you feel. The second viewing really cleared things up and helped me think a little more of the film.

Yay Potter!!!

By: Shelly

Shelly — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:48:12 +0000

I agree…an extra 10 or 15 minutes with an added battle scene would have made it better. Or, sigh, 10 or 15 more minutes of Snape…Alan Rickman rocks!

By: persephone

persephone — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:01:48 +0000

and most of the non reader viewers of hp wont read it immediately,since they always say they are too lazy to read it.

By: persephone

persephone — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:57:03 +0000

spoiler ahead:

you cant blame us. i was dissapointed that the very important parts were ommitted. parts that were relevant in order for the non readers to understand:
1.why is snape the half blood prince? what is snape’s role in lily evan’s life?
2.voldemort’s beginnings, his childhood
3.the gaunts.. they were never shown. on the book it was very, very sad how dumbledore showed harry the gaunts. how merope fell madly in love with tom riddle sr
4. voldie’s first kill=first horcrux..
now this things are important too! esp. on the last book. how he got the hufflepuff cup, the gaunt ring…

since dumbledore is dead, how will harry found out about it right? if he will just look at the memory w/o someone telling him a story about it, how will he understand?

plus the non readers, ive heard how they question,

why is he called half blood prince?

By: Verodemort

Verodemort — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:54:21 +0000

I’m not a purist, I completely understand that movies are not books, but I was a little disapointed :( To me, HBP is the most emotional book yet (I cried like a baby when Dumbledore died) but I didn’t feel an ounce of emotion watching the scene. And no funeral?! WTH?! I’m at a complete loss as to why the Burrow on Fire scene was added? And they didn’t really explain about the Horcruxes, what they are- anything! As far as looks go, I think the film was BEAUTIFUL. There were funny parts, acting was pretty good, I was just underwhelmed is all. Hopefully the last two movies will have all these things I just complained about added into them :)

By: Green Is Good

Green Is Good — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:43:45 +0000

Mr. Green Is Good let out audible *GASP* when Severus revealed he was the Half Blood Prince. Alan Rickman is such a brilliant actor. I couldn’t take my eyes off him in any scene he was in.

Tom Felton was really good. About time he got some juicy bits.

By: KS

KS — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:27:51 +0000

I’ve always been a fan of the movies and allowed the major editing but after seeing this last night I felt cheated. I’d been really looking forward to it and key scenes that should have made it ‘Wow’ didn’t happen! The battle at Hogwarts and Dumbledore’s funeral being the two glaring omissions (like they didn’t have the budget for it or something?!). I just feel they didn’t tackle it properly. The relationship between Harry & Dumbledore was really meant to grow and when he dies you’re meant to feel horrible for Harry (which I didn’t). Probably shouldn’t have re-read the book before the movie…