Harry Potter Movies

[prada]

Basically babycakes. The movie looks good and the acting was on point, but he just gave Hermoine so many damn things to do. Like the opening scene is her confuinding her parents, there's a scene when they are on the run where she has an encounter with the snatchers where they can't see her, but feel her... They also eliminated the part where Harry steals Mad Eye's eye from Umbridge's door which pissed me off. And there is no saving a group of muggles at the Ministry either. The book is so well done, I don't understand why so much change!

[Deleted]

Saw it last night at midnight! I was actually really pleased with the movie for the most part, though there were some WTF? moments, as always. The H/H dance actually wasn't too bad; it seemed appropriately awkward, and my audience laughed when Hermione walked off at the end of it! The biggest cheer came when Ron returned to pull Harry out of the pool, which was obviously an awesome moment. I hated that they didn't include Ron crying, and Harry and Ron's hug, or Harry saying "she's like a sister to me" after he kills the locket. Also, Ron didn't lose his shit over Hermione being tortured by Bellatrix! They could've cut out a minute of the dancing scene just to include those things. On the whole, though, Ron had some really tremendous moments, and some of those looks Rupert gave to Emma--yowzers, the heat!

One of my favorite parts of the whole film was the animated sequence that told the story of the Three Brothers. When I heard it was going to be animated I thought it could be really jarring and cheesy, but it was gorgeously done!

One question for you guys: there were ending credits, right? My theater abruptly turned off the film after Voldemort takes the wand from Dumbledore's grave. We couldn't figure out if it was intentionally cut there for dramatic effect, or if our theater screwed up. (More likely the latter!)

[ijustworkhere]

There were ending credits, but nothing to stay for, so don't worry, you didn't miss anything.

I, for one, loved it. It was certainly the most adult and realistic of the films (a weird thing to say about a fantasy movie, I know). I turned to my friend afterward and said, "I really hope parents go to see this one before taking their kids," because it was ROUGH. Really intense, really emotional, lots of really disturbing scenes and imagery. They did a great job capturing the "wartime" feel of it all.

All the actors really stepped up their games. Even Emma was good.

The dance scene was maybe the best scene in the movie. Adorable, honest, just a really sweet moment between the characters.

I was a little shocked at how far they took the Locket-Monster Harry/Hermione Vision-- H/H naked and making out?! Am I remembering incorrectly, or was that actually in the book? It was a bit jarring.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the info on the credits, ijustworkhere!

Yeah, the Locket Vision H/H stuff is in the book. They aren't described as nekkid, but they do kiss "in a close embrace." I cringed through that whole scene in the movie, honestly. Poor Ron.

Agreed on the improvement of Emma's acting! I thought she was particularly good in the scene after Ron got splinched and she was putting up the protective charms around them. Her eyebrows were relatively in control throughout!

[ijustworkhere]

I thought she was particularly good in the scene after Ron got splinched and she was putting up the protective charms around them.

Yes. And in the scenes right after Ron left. She did a good job at wordlessly conveying "Oh I am SO OVER THIS" while soldiering on.

The torture scene with Bellatrix was almost too disturbing for me to watch. Hermione crying and screaming in pain in the book is somehow easier to take than actually seeing it on screen.

[save lilo!]

I saw a 9am screening today in IMAX. Lovely! I kind of skimmed through the book (not because it was badly written or anything, I just couldn't wait to find out what was next) so I don't remember smaller details but only important BIG MOMENTS. I teared up a million times knowing what was to come.

Considering all that, I thought it was a nicely done movie. I loved Ron's expressions (per usual) and cannot WAIT for the second part.

[bklynred]

I'm so pleased to hear overall good reviews. Maybe now I can put The Chamber of Secrets out of my head permanently.

[Deleted]

I've just come back from an evening showing. Was prepared to be underwhelmed or slightly disappointed but what can I say, I really liked it. If you're concerned about the H/Hr stuff: It didn't bother me at all. Whatever cute chemistry Watson and Radcliffe once had as kids and which made Kloves and the H/Hr shippers happy, is gone. I have to give those two major props for the completely unnecessary dance scene. It was a, in my eyes, deliberately silly scene and both actors, especially Dan, made the silliness work. This scene got a lot of laughter from the audience I saw this with so maybe that's why I saw it this way.

It's an incredibly well made movie and I didn't think it dragged. It's not perfect because, as usual, Kloves sometimes likes to concentrate on minor things when he adapts those books and leaves out other stuff but it didn't bother me too much this time as there were so many great scenes.


ETA:

Ron had some really tremendous moments, and some of those looks Rupert gave to Emma--yowzers, the heat!

ITA. Rupert is so good in this and I hope he can move on to some other great roles in the future.

[Babycakes]

I think the spoiler rule is void now (it's been released in the US) so anyone reading where it hasn't been released, Beware! Spoilers ahead.

I thought it was very good, but definitely needs it's second half to feel complete. In the future, there's no way I will watch it as a stand alone film.

What I loved: Ron. Everything about his performance was amazing. I wish he had been more frantic in the Malfoy Manor scene, but I guess that was a directorial decision.

The 7 Potters chase. Way too short, and almost indistinguishable. I wanted it to slow down so we could see some of the dueling.

Loved the Ministry escape. Edge of your seat tension, and the reveal of Ron injured was handled very well.

The fight in Godric's Hollow. Practically the whole theater jumped at the last scene. I know I'm a blood thirsty adult, but I wish more of the carnage would have been shown. I think it has moved past a movie for kids (I'd question bringing anyone under 11) but hasn't gone full blown horror.

And of course Badass!Neville (boo to his one line, but at least he was shown) and Luna. She's always amazing even with the little she was given to do.

What I liked: Bellatrix, Castrated Lucius, the Snatchers, the Deathly Hallows animation, and the overall darker tone. I thought the movie moved fairly quickly, especially given everything that had to be covered. I wish we'd seen more thinking and planning during the Grimmauld Place and camping scenes. But that's a minor complaint. The minor details and clues to the second half were hinted at at well handled. The single hair falling, the flashes of Voldemort questioning people, the wand turning on its own.

What was meh: I thought Dan and Emma were just okay. I was more surprised at how underwhelmed I was with Dan. He usually gives his all, but he seemed like he was holding back. Emma was better than usual, but I wish that Yates would push her more. You could tell in the scene with Bellatrix she really gave her all. I just wish she'd put some of that into her scenes with Rupert. The splinching scene was good, but Ron's return after destroying the horocrux was borderline bad. She had very little passion, when she was an emotional wreck during most of DH.

I wanted more of the wedding, more at the Burrow, more of the other players. I really liked the Ministry scene, the Death Eater round-table, and especially Snape's grand entrance. Now that was badass. I finally get why people stan for Alan Rickman/Snape. He was totally working that wig and billowing cape.

What was bad: Ugh. Good god, that dancing scene. And not even because it was unnecessary, stupid, and betrays what we know to be true of Harry and Hermione's relationship. It was just so freaking uncomfortable to witness. Emma looked like she was being forced to do it. I actually had to look away from the screen until it was over. Initially, it looked like it was a seduction gone wrong. We see Harry approach her sitting next to her turned down bed. He pulls her to her feet, stare into her eyes, and just reaches over and takes off the necklace. It looked like her was going to take off her top! Just really, really weird. Like he actually was awkwardly trying to seduce her, and she isn't into it at all. And the dancing. Ugh. Just so bad, and awkWEIRD. I actually preferred watching the RiddleHarry and RiddleHermione making out, this scene was so bad. I also wanted to see Harry/Ron hug it out and cry after the locket was destroyed, but whatev.

So to sum up: Not a great stand alone film, but it moves at a decent pace given all that is covered, and the amount of down time in the story. The actiony parts were fantastic, I just wish they were extended, and slowed down so the audience could enjoy it. I only cried a little when Dobby died. One jackass in the theater actually laughed [ ]. I really want to see it in IMAX now.

Theater etiquette, or lack there of: Ringing phones? 4. Answered calls? 1. Full out not even trying to whisper conversations? 1. Kids in the theater? At least 2. Ages of kids? Under 2. How'd I know? They babbled and cooed the entire movie. And to the Annie Wilkes who was sitting in my row, and would not shut the hell up about all the changes from the book to the movie-- Congratulations, you read a book one time you stupid mickeyfickey. You win at life. Now why not use that book to muzzle you fucking gob at the theater next time. Asshole.

ETA: Why didn't Harry take MadEye's eye off the door? Some things I'll never understand with this screenwriter and director.

[jynni]

Just came back from it and while long and a bit slow, thought it covered everything it needed to and set up everything well for the next one.

I think my biggest complaint was that at least in the books during the never ending camping sequence, there was some exposition. Character development and little gaps in the story were filled in. In the movie the never ending camping sequence was just that. Nothing happened except a long succession of shots of Harry and Hermione looking tired and forlorn. It seemed like at least ten minutes went by without any dialog at all.

I thought all the actiony stuff was really well done and it makes me really excited for the next one as that's where the shit really hits the fan.

Oh, I wish they could find ways to get around showing Harry crying. Dan Rad is just bad at it and always looks like he's trying so.damn.hard. to be emotional. Rupert really shined in this one and Emma figured out how to act without using her eyebrows to emphasize every emotion.