Rereading/Rewatching the Harry Potter Series
Currently watching Goblet of Fire a.k.a. "the one where all the boys randomly have long hair". 😂
One thing I like better about the movie versus the book is the pacing. The beginning is much less of a slog – 15 minutes in and we've already made it to Hogwarts.
When I watched Chamber of Secrets, I commented that I thought Jason Isaacs was perfect as Lucius. I feel the same way about Timothy Spall as Wormtail… he absolutely nailed that role.
A bit of a weird creative choice to make Beauxbatons and Durmstrang entirely female/male respectively. Also, seeing the tasks on-screen makes me question the popularity of the tournament. The first task I understand, because the crowd can see the game going on. But the other two? They're just... sitting there. There's nothing to indicate that they have any sort of viewing screen to see each of the champions, so it's just them playing the waiting game.
Yeah, that's so true about the tournament. I think that's part of the reason I don't like it, even in the books – it's just not convincing as a form of entertainment.
TBH, I'm not crazy about Quidditch either, but I at least understand why the crowd would enjoy it and players would want to participate. Also, it doesn't take up large parts of any of the books, so there's that.
Also, I agree that the all girls/all boys choice was weird. It also doesn't make sense, considering that the tournament is supposed to be for the entire British/European region.
That said, I did like the movie. I'll be moving on to Order of the Phoenix later tonight.
My biggest complaint about Order of the Phoenix (the movie) is that a.) we never see Snape at Grimmauld Place, and b.) they didn't include the confrontation between him and Sirius. I know I'm biased toward Snape, but regardless, those things still seem important.
Also… I keep wanting to comment on different actors and how well they portrayed the characters, but I think it might be better to do that in a separate thread since there are so many of them. I also had a fun idea, which… you'll see what I mean in a few minutes. 🙂
Quote from Heatherlly on January 17, 2023, 1:19 amMy biggest complaint about Order of the Phoenix (the movie) is that a.) we never see Snape at Grimmauld Place, and b.) they didn't include the confrontation between him and Sirius. I know I'm biased toward Snape, but regardless, those things still seem important.
I think the movies in general miss the mark on Snape's story. They get the main points, but not the context or details around each point. I understand that the story's about Harry, and that being in movie form would limit storytelling to an extent, but it's something that bothers me.
Still watching Order of the Phoenix (I paused it for a few hours). One question I have, as it pertains to both the books and movies:
What in the ever loving fuck is the point of Grawp?
So there's an entire scene with this fucker, yet the scene right after (Snape's Worst Memory) is a heavily truncated version of a pivotal moment in both Harry and Snape's story. This is the shit I'm talking about. I realize they had to make cuts, but this is a case of cutting the wrong damn thing. Grawp isn't a main character. His past, present, or future have nothing to do with Harry, his or his parents' history, or his effort to defeat Voldemort. It's pretty much just useless filler, stealing precious time from much more important characters/storylines.
Grawp exists to lure Umbridge into the forest and grab her. I don't even think that's me being facetious, I genuinely think that's the purpose of his character.
Okay, I'm finally getting around watching HBP, and I have some thoughts:
- This movie makes me ship Harry and Luna. I already liked their dynamic in the books, but the chemistry between the actors is fantastic.
- The cuts to Snape's scenes in this movie are particularly painful. Having read the "Spinner's End" chapter countless times since I saw the movie, I'm much more aware of just how much is missing from that scene. Not that I didn't enjoy it, but it could have (and should have) been so much more. In particular, Narcissa is much too composed, and I would have loved to see Alan Rickman's take on Snape's justifications for his actions. The way he demolishes every one of Bellatrix's suspicions… that is so central to his character, and perfectly demonstrates why he's such a badass spy.
- Speaking of which, they really dropped the ball on Snape's promotion. Harry barely reacts when he's announced as the new DADA professor, they never talk about it, and we don't even get to see him teach the damn class. That is such a huge oversight, all the more so considering what happens at the end of the movie. It would've been great foreshadowing, him showing more of his aptitude for Dark magic, etc.
- One thing I do love – the scene with Ron in the Hospital Wing. I love the way Snape is just hovering in the background, looking vaguely uncomfortable as the whole drama between Lavender and Hermione plays out. His expression is fucking hilarious.
- I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but these movies must be confusing for people who have never read the books. The early ones aren't so bad, but the later ones… there are so many things that are never fully explained and/or left out altogether.
Anyway, I'm about 2/3 of the way through. I'll probably post again when I'm done.
Yeah, a movie called "the Half-Blood Prince" ought to have more of a focus on... well, the Half-Blood Prince.
For all my complaints in the earlier part of the movie, the last third or so is really well done. The confrontation in particular was handled wonderfully… Tom Felton's acting is right on point, though the MVPs are Michael Gambon and of course, Alan Rickman. Their final interaction is just so poignant/heartbreaking… it's like a thousand of things pass between them in those few seconds, a lifetime's worth of things left unsaid.
What struck me most was "Avada Kedavra". Brickman doesn't hesitate. He doesn't think twice. He just blurts it out, desperate to get it over with. It's one of those moments that really does feel true to the Snape's character, indistinguishable from how I think he would've handled it in the books.
Also, I love the scene with the raised wands, sending light into the sky and obliterating the Dark Mark. While I did like the Phoenix in the books, this was much more impactful in a visual sense. Definitely one of those changes I fully approve of.
The only thing I don't like at the end is the music during the credits. Cheerful, jaunty… fucking jarring, considering what just happened. Granted, that's a minor quibble, especially since it isn't technically part of the movie. Just saying that more somber music would've been a better choice.
Question: Are there major differences between regular/extended versions? I've never seen the latter, and I noticed they're on Peacock right now. Not sure I'm ready to watch all the movies again (especially since I haven't even gotten to DH), but I'll definitely consider it if there's more Snape.
