The movie was pretty good. I would have def. liked it more, if they had stuck to the original story but to be realistic they had to cut corners to fit a 650 pg. book within a 2 & half hour movie! So I put aside by stubborn opinions and ended up enjoying it thoroughly.
This part sets up the stage for the grand finale of the series which ends with the 7th book (atleast for know.. hope JKR gives in and writes more). Harry grows up rather rapidly in these two books as he has to step up to the challenge. This movie introduces many new characters and seems to clarify quite a few things by the end of it. So... DO go and watch it....
Scenes I wish they had made: And how will they link it up without these??!!
1. No mention of the muggle PM meeting Scrimgeour the new Minister of Magic! I was dying to see the portrait that talked and scared the living day lights of the muggle PM! Now I wonder who will introduce Dumbledore’s will in the next part (in the book Scrimgeour does...may be they will introduce him directly in the next part...sigh!) as without it they cannot possibly go any further!
2. The scene where Dumbledore comes to Privet Drive and informs Harry of inheriting Sirius’s worldly possessions... gold, Buckbeak, Grimmauuld Place Number 12 along with the dubious Kreacher!! Again this part is important as Kreacher has a decent role to play in the next part.
3. Remaining faithful to the main theme of the movie which Screams ‘Teenage Romance’ I find it hard to believe that they skipped Fleur and Bill’s appearances completely. After all the next part starts off with their wedding. I am sure the director and script writer will not be able to resist including their wedding in the movie, as it is possibly the only ‘happy & bright’ occasion in the entire book! And they WILL need it to offset the otherwise somber and serious movie with an overdose of moroseness!
4. Another significant scene they excluded was the memory of acquiring the ring. Or other memories collected by Dumbledore that indicated what Voldermort was upto after he graduated from Hogwarts. Without these memories they have failed to explain how Voldermort chooses his Horcruxes and sheds no light on his narcissistic character. Without these it’s almost impossible for the next movie to continue as the Harry in the movie has been given no clues as to what objects may be construed as Horcruxes (he intends to look for the remaining ones) making his entire mission – IMPOSSIBLE!
5. Most importantly, Vodlermort’s mother’s history as it actually shows how & why Riddle became Voldermort has been excluded. This would probably have been responsible for invoking some sympathy from the audience for Voldermort. This is essential as Harry DOES feel an iota of sympathy towards riddle and asks him to repent at the very end.
6. Also excluded are Percy’s visits during Christmas... but I guess it was insignificant enough to cut.
As the movie’s parallel focus was Harry’s obsession with Malfoy, they probably should have included the Elfs tailing Malfoy. Again may be was not very important and worthy of exclusion as well.
7. Voldermort’s request of joining as Defense Against Arts teacher was way too crucial to exclude... wonder how they are going to explain this expulsion in the next part. (If I say more... will ruin the next book for those who haven’t read it!)
8. They really did no justice to the fight scene at the very end. Made Harry look like a coward instead of highlighting his bravado. This scene was one of the ‘character defining’ moments for Harry and they have really botched it!
Also, the same scene is principally responsible for creating the main villan and they just ate his moment! He would have done soo much more justice to the story if the scene was rightly included. This was important as without it, they are not building the suspense of the series to the desired degree.
Also, without the entire fight scene I wonder how they are going to explain Bill’s marred face.
9. Lastly, skipping the Funeral was just plain wrong. This book/movie says adieu to a central character and they should have done more than just raising wands to pay respects. Very Very crass.
However, inspite of these points, I will reiterate that for those of you who follow the movie series or have read the books... please do go and see this one. For others who haven't seen the previous installments, no matter... this one is full of drama and magic and watching it is time well spent. So hurry on.. I actually wouldn't mind seeing it again in 3D when they release it sometime near July end...what do you say G? Up for it??!! :)
6 comments:
adding all those scenes, baby,would have stretched both the length & the budget of HP-6 by atleast 30%; with a huge risk of juggling with the audience's attention span & the magical ethos that HP-6 creates. I feel that the director has had to walk a tight rope{perhaps like a neuro surgeon who had to operate with macro equipments) trying to please sandra from sydeny to Salman from saudi to mona from mumbai to Luna from London;
remember, the writer has fewer constraints(especially someone like Rowlings who is established the world over) as compared to the artisans from tinsel town; the former works alone while latter has to be both a puppeteer & a puppet!
mum
you are gifted young lady. Vivid and candid, that explains your review. I still dont know whats this whole hullabaloo all about, having not seen a single Harry potter movie completely(i have DVD but just culdnt stick my fat arse on the sofa to complete it). I dont identify with HP. I have just read one of his books and that was enough for me. But JK is extremely gifted writter and i would happily read her, if she writes some serious literature. Ciao:))
P.S: Your mum's comments is equally good.She is an excellent writer and just few lines of reading her is enough for me to judge about her..great to hav a mum who has a her own 'view over the matter' on everything. TC:))
@ Mum: I have to disagree that the director had larger audience to appease.. infact ROwling has done half the work for him. She has already invoked enough popularity... and thats probably the only reason why the 3rd one (Ridiculously shot) did well.
I do agree on the point that the attention span was already wavering for even adults! And to make it worse they do not have intermissions here in the US and so you are kind of exhausted at the end, or (as I was)are dying to go to the 'loo' (in spirit of sounding British)or just miss some parts as your brain switches off abruptly!!! :P
Pl. notice that I have reiterated the need of watching of it! So alls well!! :)
@ Zillionbig: Thanks for your kind words.. :)
my mum is unbelievably insightful and talented. Its her genes working that allows me to write my heart out! :)
On the note of serious writing..have you read Pygmalion or any of Bernard's work? I have just downloaded the audiobook and am going to start it real soon!
@ Zillionbig:
PS: May be one day you will sit with your daughter and read it/see the movies and fall prey to Pottermania! :) :P
Hi P...thanks for dropping by my blog. I am a hard core movie buff, but i watch all sorts of movies and dont restrict myself to particular genres. But abt HP, i somehow cannot get myself to sit through the movie:)
My husband is a hard core HP fan...big enough to stand in line into the wee hours of the night to get the book. So i understand how much of a HP fan people are:)
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