Serious About Your Skills

SPOILER WARNING


So, call me crazy (it's 5 am here), but I'm going to post my general appreciation, squees, and complaints. I just drank a lot of coffee, but I'm sure I'll come back to this tomorrow and realize I've forgotten to mention something. It'll be hard typing in this Rita Skeeter nails, but I'll do my best.

Ahem. So.

The movie was FANTASTIC! I'll start with the opening. I adored it. The camera flashes? The look on Harry's face? Superb. I never would have thought of it but it summed up so much and pretty much just made me SQUEE inside. I don't know what else to say on the matter. It was just fantastic.

SO then there was the little restaurant with that girl. A bit odd, but whatever, I'm not going to complain about it because there's really know point. I'm very disappointed that there were no Dursleys in this movie, as the handshake with Dudley was epic in the book.

Slughorn was of course fantastic as well, the whole scene was just like the book. Then Ginny and the Burrow. Perfect. Loved it, even though the Burrow looked different. I'm so glad Ginny got a bigger part, obviously, as she's the love interest.

Snape. Perfect scene. I was a little wary of the casting for Narcissa at first but her part was really small so again, I'm not going to complain. Helena Bonham Carter has recently become my favorite actress; her portrayal of Bellatrix is dead on but with her own personality attached, her own view of the character. Absolutely flawless.

Let's see... The scenes have already begun to blur in my head so, like I said, I'm more than likely going to forget something key. I was very apprehensive of Tom Felton in this movie because honestly, I didn't think he could pull it off. He did amazing though in every scene, really bringing his acting up a notch. And the suit he wore for no apparent reason? HOT. No complaints there.

While rewatching Order of the Phoenix, I noticed that David Yates effectively incorporated things from past movies, such as the picture of Lily and James from PoA. I've come to greatly appreciate this as it creates a mostly seemless transition between the movies. I know I had a lot to rant about for the last movie but I was really very pleased with this one. I felt like I was watching the book.

I loved the Pensieve scenes. The Tom Riddle that Slughorn knew was perfect. The casting was great, as he looked so much like the younger one, and his acting was amazing. So creepy and eerie and just SQUEE. I'm already looking forward to watching those scenes again. His eyes at the end of the Horcrux scene... Sigh.

I loved the whole feel of the movie, it was dead on with the book. The coloring was superb (I read that they changed it because Warner Bros. didn't like it), the atmosphere just the right amount of darkness. I also loved that they showed a lot more of the castle that we haven't seen before.

The romance? AWESOME. They did a great job with all the love mess even though there are a few tiny complaints that are hardly worth going in to (I sort of wanted Ron and Hermione to be more mad at each other, but whatever). Lavender was great, as was Luna as always (I wished Tonks had found Harry on the train though), and all the trio really stepped up their acting.

Funny? Indeed! The luck potion was HILARIOUS. Everyone in the theater couldn't stop laughing at the pincers part. That was just SOOOO funny, kudos to Dan for some great acting there. And then Ron and the love potion. GREAT. I especially like the part when he sits next to Harry on the bed and scoots all close to him. Oh and the part when he asks Harry if he and Ginny did it. LOL

The music was FANTASTIC. I really need to think of more adjectives, don't I? I noticed they repeated quite a bit of the music from the last movie, but the new stuff was great. Like the eerie piano music with Draco and the vanishing cabinet. For some reason that scene reminded me of The Prestige with the bird, and that made me really happy squee. The scene with Sectumsempra was PERFECT (even though the lack of Myrtle made me a little sad), especially when the camera zooms out as Snape is stooped over Draco and all the water is on the floor... SQUEE.

I've always loved the first Dumbledore (RIP Richard Harris) and was never very fond of Michael Gambon; I'll admit, though, that the Inferi scene was awesome. Especially with the sobbing and stuff. The corpses were very creepy (although not what I imagined), and it made me wonder why this was rated PG.

One part they added that I loved was the little "Shh!" Snape gave Harry at the very end. It still leaves you in doubt of his loyalty because, after all, it could just be the ultimate betrayal by pretending he's on the good side and then BAM! Murder. Alan Rickman was amazing in this movie, and I loved the coward scene, even though it wasn't quite right. Not enough yelling. And nothing after Dumbledore's death was quite right, but there's nothing major there to complain about.

What really bothered me was the Burrow scene during Christmas break. Why were the Death Eaters there? I was just like WTF the whole time and I still don't get it. And then skipping Bill and Fleur and rushing Remus and Tonks... I guess they could've messed it up worse, but whatever. I really hated her hair though, Tonks I mean.

Another thing that REALLY bothered me was that they never even showed any of Snape's classes. I guess that's why there's a book to fill in the blanks, but I really would have loved to see that scene with him and Harry and the "There's no need to call me sir" bit.

As I said, I loved the luck potion, but I wish there had been more with Hagrid. At least they didn't cut out Aragog. And I REALLY wanted a flashback from the first movie when Snape talks about a Bezoar in that poison scene.

OH, and I was really looking forward to the scene with the other minister. And no Scrimgeour? I heard they cut him out entirely, but to not even have Fudge... I loved the whole beginning with the havoc and the Muggles and the Death Eaters. It was great. Oh, and I really wanted Tom's eyes to glow in that one scene, and I wanted to see Christian Coulson again.

Also (haha I keep thinking of more things), I loved the scene in the hospital wing when Lavender comes to see Ron, and all the teachers are just standing there watching. And the whole Slug party was great. As was the part when Dumbledore is talking about Tom Riddle to the whole school - nice touch. And Fred and George were great too! Lol Umbridge saying "I WILL have order!" over and over again. :D And the part where Dumbledore says "Being me has its privileges" or something like that.

The ending was really anti-climactic and I wish they had done it differently, but overall, the squees vastly out weight the complaints. There's really nothing worth complaining about, because the movie was just amazing. Not only did it exceed my expectations (and I'm hard to please), but I truly thought they did a FANTASTIC job.

Who's ready to watch it again?!?! :twins:

AHH. This is amazing.
I haven't seen the movie.yet. :( But this will keep me from yelling at the screene when I see stuff cut out that I had wanted to see! [like Myrtle. The little things. And the "there's no need to call me sir". ]

Haha. This movie doesn't look like a dissapointment like I thought the past 2 were! :)

This post has been edited by luckygurl102 on Jul 15 2009, 10:25 AM

YAY! I was just about to do this! I wish I had your energy to stay awake last night/this morning!! :P

O-M-G. I have to agree, full-heartedly, with Chelsea: the movie was fantastic! Overall, I LOVE this movie. So much, that I'm taking my son to see it tonight - a surprise, because I told him we were going to see it Friday :P There were a couple of bits that were missing that I found disappointing, but all in all, it is the best HP movie that has come out to date. I'll sorta follow Chelsea's lead, too... I'll go through the movie from the beginning. :D

The beginning. As much as I would have liked to see Dumbledore tell off the Dursleys... I think I preferred the movie's summary with the newspapers and the attention that that "Harry Potter tosser" was getting. I quite liked the setting, in that little restaurant, in the underground... and the Muggle girl who was relentlessly flirting. I think that the movies are really hard-pressed to show us that there is a human side to the characters and little scenes like this one are a useful tool in rectifying that.

I have to admit that I was dubious about Slughorn from the previews. Jim is a fantastic actor, but from the previews it didn't look like our good ol' Sluggy. However. O-m-g, again! He was FABULOUS. The bit where he's the furniture... and when Dumbledore "uses the loo" (was funny hearing Dumbledore call it a loo for some reason :P)... was both funny and accurate to the books!

Harry coming to the Burrow! Ginny! Molly! Ron! Hermione! I loved it! I loved how they sat around the makeshift fire and talked about how old Dumbledore is. I love the cute little hesitation from Harry when he hugs Ginny :D

The Unbreakable Vow scene was amazing. Bella is like a petulant child throughout most of the movie and I ADORED her. Same as Chelsea, I was wary of Narcissa's casting... and the hair REALLY bothered me - seriously, what was wrong with finding a blond woman or making her blond?! :P But, yes, no complaining - her part was tiny. The whole scene in Spinner's End was perfect. It was intense and dramatic. I sort of wish we would have saw Narcissa crying like she did in the books, but alas - it's not a perfect world. :P

Mmmm. Now my favorite part of the movie. (:lyn:) DRACO! OH-EM-GEE.

:lyn: Those were my words EXACTLY last night in the theater!! :lyn:

His acting was perfect.. his reactions and actions and mannerisms and flawlessness. He was absolutely perfect. And I'm SO glad, because this is Draco's crucial book.

Dumbledore's withered hand wasn't as gross as I pictured it from the book... but as the movie progressed, did it get darker? Because I swear I saw it dying more throughout the film.

Let's see... I agree with Chelsea about the Pensieve scenes. Especially about the Tom/Slughorn parts. Tom Riddle was SPOT ON during the Horcrux conversation.. like... they could NOT have done those bits better. Even when we finally see the full memory.. just perfect!

I have to say that the romance bothered me a little bit. I know that it's all YAY Harry/Ginny - but no Quidditch kiss!? :( But I LOVED Ron/Hermione. I know! Me! :P The Dean/Ginny was very well done, too. Snogging in the pub was kinda cool. :P Lavender was. :blink: There was a part with her, on the train, when she fogged up the window and wrote her and Ron's initials.. I almost died laughing. :P And Cormac McLaggen was PHENOMENAL. :lyn: "Dragon balls." *vomit* :lyn: LOVED IT.

HUMOR. I second EVERYTHING Chelsea said. Harry's interaction with Slughorn was brilliant. "How did you get out of the castle?" "I used the front door..." :lyn: And I have to squee - because Chelsea, that was my favorite part of the love potion - when Ron practically glomps Harry on the bed. :lyn: I almost cried and fainted in my seat when Harry was under the Felix Felicis.... Felix Felicis was HILARIOUS!!!! With Aragog's "funeral" ... and Harry's like "and the pincers!" BUAHAHAHAHA.

Draco, crying in the bathroom was REALLY, really touching. I'm a bit sad that they missed out on Draco talking to Myrtle. :P But, you know... it was still compelling. All of the work he was doing on the vanishing cabinets was really good too - the scene with the dead bird was so sad :( you could really see Draco internally questioning what he was doing. KUDOS to Tom Felton!

I think this was neo!Dumbledore's best movie. He really brought out the Dumbledore we know from the books. The part in the cave was chilling - watching Dumbledore struggle. *shivers*

Again, I'm agreeing with Chelsea on everything she said. Everything. I won't repeat it. (Because I'm at the office and I shouldn't be writing this. :lyn:) The Christmas break thing was POINTLESS. Absolutely POINTLESS. There was NO need at all.

That WHOLE scene could have been cut for, I don't know... the BATTLE IN HOGWARTS!!!! :angry:

^ I was SO ANGRY about that.

Scrimgeour is going to be in the next film, Chelsea. :D They're talking about Bill Nighy playing him!!!! YAY!!!!

AMEN!!

I AM!!! As I said, I'm going again tonight with my son... I am TOTALLY geeked!!!! :D

I will be back to post anything I might have missed the first time around. XD

Time for coffee.

:nic:

So I stayed up till 8 am with my friend but then we realized there was nothing to do so we just wet to sleep. Now it's 2 pm but whatever. She thought I was crazy when I said I wanted to see the movie again, TODAY. But I really do, like, more than anything. It may be my favorite of all of them...

Okay, I was SO mad about the battle in Hogwarts. They just left after killing Dumbledore. No fight at all? I mean really. It was cool when Bellatrix sort of smashed everything i the Great Hall, but I would've like to see a lot more. You're right, Jessi, they should've swapped that for the Burrow scene that was just plan wtf.

Bill Nighy?! I love him! He really likes to get into costume, so that could actually work... Now I'm really excited. :lyn:

So! I've at least thought of a couple more things. The scene on the astronomy tower... I really liked that brief moment with Snape and Harry, but I sort of wanted him to be under the invisibility cloak and for Dumbledore to sacrifice his wand to immobilize Harry like in the book. At least Draco disarmed him, otherwise the climax of DH would make no sense... :lyn:

The scene with Ginny and Harry hiding the potions book was just weird. I liked that they did it together, but it seemed a little strained and forced to me. And I didn't see the diadem, but maybe I missed it...

And what's the point of including Greyback if they're not going to have Bill? Maybe they can say in the next movie that he was just like randomly attacked, that could work. If they're even going to have Bill in it. I thought that Greyback would at least attack Ginny or something in that pointless Burrow scene.

OH! I just remembered the part where Ron and Harry fight over the potions book. That seemed really realistic and just PERFECT. SQUEEEEEEEE! That whole Felix Felicis scene when they were brewing it was spot on as well, which made me really really happy squee.

OHHH! And the part where Harry goes "But I AM the chosen one..." ZOMGLOLDIES :lyn:

When I see the movie again, I'm sure I'll think of loads more things to say. :P

I'll be back to read what everyone above me has said and give a proper opinion when I've thought it out properly - but I've just got back. Off the top of my head: best film yet, really really good right up until Snape's AK...after which I was unimpressed. How could they build Emma Watson so well and then ruin it ALL in the last moments? She really had me feeling for her and finally gave Rupert Grint a FAIR part and then in that very final stupid scene took it all away and gave her all his lines! Grrrr.

Also Ginny is such a feminist...as if she'd tie Harry's lace for him!

BUT...OMG LOVE LOVE LOVE. Tom Felton was epic! And ALAN RICKMAN *swoon*! And Jim Broadbent! Michael Gambon, Dan Radcliffe and Emma Watson didn't annoy me much either! Wooop!

More later! xxx

:lyn: You are crazy staying up that early! I want to be young again! I feel like I've had an entire bottle of the Draught of Living Death today! :P Are you going to go see it again? :D It's exciting!! We miss so much the first time around though - because we're all giddy. :P

I'm SO GLAD that I'm not the only one who thought that Burrow thing was pointless... like, really... I mean, the Burrow doesn't burn down in the books at any point, does it? :blink: I mean, I know Death Eaters attack it in the 7th book... but that's completely different.

I agree, Andy. After Snape's killing curse, the movie just... deflated. Like, I understand that this movie was mostly character driven and that they lowered the level of action significantly from the previous movies - and it worked WONDERFULLY... except... there are some actions scenes that are so crucial... the battle at Hogwarts was SUCH a turning point in the novels. Like.. OMFG, they can infiltrate Hogwarts and NOWHERE IS SAFE AND :o OMG, there is a werewolf that likes to bite people when he's human! :P

I was with you, Chelsea... We must have been thinking it at the same time - if Draco didn't disarm Dumbledore (because, wtf was his wand before Draco disarmed him? :lol:), then the end of the 7th book would have went something like this:

Harry: I PWN you, Voldy!
Voldy: NEVER! ... wait, why?
Harry: Because I am the master of the Elder wand!
Audience: *GASP* WTF?
Voldy: No you're not! I am it's master! I took it from Dumbledore's grave!
Audience: Yeah, that was pretty gross, even for you.
Harry: Aha! But Dumbledore wasn't it's master!
Voldy: :blink: :angry: WHAT?
Audience: Yeah, what?! :blink:
Harry: Draco was its master!
Audience and Voldy: WTF happened?!

:lyn: :lyn: That would be totally awesome. :lyn: :lyn:

I think they might have introduced Greyback because he'll be one of the Snatchers in the next movie. But, you know, they could just use random death eaters now... makes no sense. We didn't even learn that it was Greyback that bit Remus. No one who doesn't read the books knows that he's half werewolf... they just think he's really hairy!!! :lyn:

OMG - Andy, too, I totally forgot about her and Harry's shoe laces! I was like. :blink: FORGET THAT! What happened to the bit with the "He has a Hungarian Horntail tattoo" :P THAT would have been VERY Ginny.

*sigh*

I loved it. :D

I SAW IT AGAIN! I know I'm completely nutters but it was that good. And I plan on seeing it in IMAX in a couple weeks. I'll admit that the midnight crowd was much more fun, but all of opening weekend is pretty awesome. It's fun to hear the people sitting behind you like giggling and stuff.

So yeah. I just thought of another really funny part after seeing it again. When Ron says, "It's a creepy store, he's a creepy bloke" - thereby settling the matter of why Draco was in Borgin and Burkes.

I also love Cormac. He's actually rather good looking, and it's especially funny when he's just staring at Hermione when they're eating dessert. Oh and when Harry stands when Ginny sits down. :lyn:

The scene with the luck potion was even funnier the second time around. The way Harry just goes "Sir?" exasperatedly. And when he's like "Oh, sorry, I should have cleared my throat or coughed or something." :lyn: OMG I died laughing!!!!

Again, I absolutely ADORED Draco and Snape in this film. I love it when they're just strutting through the castle after Dumbledore dies, but I really wish there had been some sort of reaction to his death, like everyone going "WTF I knew he was evil but really?!?! Snape!?!" It just made me squee and swoon, but I wish there had been more.

And the bit about Dumbledore's man through and through. Let's hope it makes it into the next film. :(

"It's a creepy shop, he's a creepy bloke."
"Not to mention the pincers." *wiggles fingers*
(Something about the dangerous profession of dentistry, followed by a creeper look from McLaggen)

Best of the trio we've seen so far. They've really grown up as actors and I loved all their interactions. I JUST reread the book so there are a bunch of nitpicks, espesh about the final scenes, but I'll hold off until next movie before I decide it was a bad choice. Maybe they incorporated more fight scenes there (well, they should've!) and it'd be too similar to have two showdowns at Hogwarts?

On the Burrow - I thought it was really random and at first I hated it, but I can see how it broke up some monotony and it was supposedly included to show that Voldemort was invading "home" life, or what Harry's perception of that is, in addition to school and the shops and Muggle landmarks. :P I think it was more effective than having Hermione mention that there were random attacks on students we don't know's families so I can understand from a storytelling point of view why the scene was included. It was a little too long for my taste, but on a second view it seemed to fill a gap and I don't think the action sequence at the end would be quite the same without having that threat established and at least one prior action scene to break up the romance.

Read Chelsea's post, haven't had the time to read others. Just wanted to make one comment... while I was disappointed that the Dursley's weren't really in this movie, the handshake scene is in the 7th book, not HBP so we still have time to see it. And if it's NOT in there I WILL be horribly disappointed as it was THAT scene in the book that prompted my Time Heals All Wounds story.

My thoughts on the movie... I found this one incredibly FUNNY! Which I thought was great because it's such a dark book you need the humor to balance it out. Harry was GREAT in the luck scene... those pincers had me LMAO. Although I'd seen the clip that scene in the library where Hermione is tell Harry that Romilda is only interested in him because she thinks he's the chosen one and he says "I am the chosen one" :hajadeha: . While random, I actually liked the scene at the beginning with the girl in the restaurant, found it light and humorous.

I think this is my favorite movie visually. The Hogwarts scenes... LOVED seeing so much of the castle and the cinematography in this one just took my breath away... especially the lake scene. And even though I knew it was coming still screamed when the Infairi reached up and grabbed Harry.

I was disturbed by the ending... would have liked to have seen the funeral, but mostly, why the hell was Ron sitting behind Harry & Hermione instead of being with them.

SOBBED when the students all lit their wands after Dumbledore died.

Snape was perfection as well.

Loved the tension between Ron & Hermione, the moments between Harry & Hermione were touching as well... not just the one where she was crying, but I think they showed how intuitive Hermione was toward Harry, and Harry trying to divert Cormac (who was PERFECT as well, OMG so smug). I adore Luna, and I liked all the scenes with her.

Not crazy that the Burrow was destroyed, would have preferred the Harry/Ginny kiss to be the more climactic one from the book. REALLY think that Harry should KNOW where the book is hidden and would have loved to see the foreshadowing of the Diadem... but they didn't include the locket or the mirrors in the last movie either and both those irritated me (and DH hadn't even come out yet, but I knew they had to be important if JKR had included them in the book--not much of what she does is random). And there was no discussion between Dumbledore and Harry about what the Horcruxes might be (other than the book and ring) HOW are they going to work those into the next movies if they haven't discussed them yet. And yes I was very frustrated that they didn't show any of the battle with the Death Eaters. I wanted to see more of Neville & Luna and the others showing their stuff! And I did like the scene with Snape & Harry and the "shhhh" but was disappointed in the Avada Kadavra on to the end stuff as well.

Must get ready for work now so I'll read other people's responses tonight.

Taryn- omg thank goodness it wasn't spoiled completely. I really really really hope the handshake is in the next one then. :)

I just saw it ...

I think I am kind of disappointed, partly because I expected to be. MISSING -- Dumbledore's man part, Remus and Tonks part (and what was that 'sweetheart' doing there?), Dumbledore's Army fighting, not to mention MOST scenes totally different from the book (all things Snape, Horcruxes -- "could be anything" -- RIGHT!!). Actually, the most annoying part was that Ginny was shoved everywhere, I understand the need to build up their future relationship, but seriously, EVERYWHERE!!

Yes, the Burrow, I was VERY surprised. If I hadn't read the book last week, I would've wondered if I'd forgotten about such scene. :P Um, it was pointless, I think, though Bellatrix is always good.

Draco was so much better in this movie, Hermione was brilliant as usual, Ron was hilarious, as was Lav-Lav. Harry was so funny, everyone laughed at his jokes during the Felix scenes. Oh, and Cormac, the way he looked at Hermione - LOL. But ... I didn't believe Snape or Dumbledore's acting at all, sorry to say. Snape was kinda fine, but he should have looked more ... cold and distant.

All in all, GREAT effects (apart from the bloodied Draco and Dumbledore's hand) -- the bridge, the fire, the vanishing cabinet, the creepy settings, the BEGINNING (OMG!!! *loves*); excellent humour; good romantic scenes with Hermione (especially when she cries: "I feel like this." aww);

The little things, little moments were good, really, but maybe some things revealed too much, so the mystery part was kind of lost...

I feel silly for liking only half of this whole experience (perhaps I should see it a second time), and I definitely think that this is not the best HP movie (better than the fifth though), but anyway, hopefully, the next one will be better: it better be, it's the last one!! :o And I still have the books! :hearts:

Oh but...

:lyn: :lyn: :lyn: Gotta love Jessi...

I just thought of something that confused me so maybe someone can explain it... :P

When Dumbledore talks to the whole school about Tom Riddle, who's standing outside the Great Hall? At first I thought it was supposed to be Tom himself, as Dumbledore was reminiscing, because he said that he "walked the halls." But then there were two other people with him, and it was just confusing.

I think it was one of the Aurors supposed to be protecting the school, though they never explained that's who they were. :/

Seeing that person as he said that line made me think it was Riddle's ghost or something. It was very strange timing.

:o You don't think that would foreshadow Voldemort becoming a ghost or something in the movie, right? Because I would kick WB in the face.

:lyn:

Susan's probably right though, random Aurors in the castle that didn't do anything when Bella decided to smash in the windows. :angry:

:P

Snape wiped the one Auror out of the way so quickly! Those Aurors must have been the worst the Ministry could come up with. Unless they too were wowed by Snape's awesome presence. :rolleyes:

If Tonks had only been there, along with Moody and Kinglsey. Those Death Eaters wouldn't have known what hit them. :P