Harry Potter

[Dancind]

My DD mentioned the lack of explanation of Mssrs. Padfoot, Prongs etc. as soon as the movie ended. We decided that Mr. Cuaron made some assumptions that the majority of viewers would have read the book, and didn't need to be told all the details. We did love the way the map was done, though, and the Night Bus scenes were fun. We loved the movie, didn't mind the changes (movies have always changed books, see LOTR), and we'll see it again. That said, we would have liked a longer movie too. More HP is always better.

 

[jeleebeene]

I loved it. It took seeing it a second time to grow on me, though. I was so upset at first at what I thought were some key elements left out that should have been included in the movie - but I got over it. Didn't take me long, either, as I was already asking DH this morning to go see it again - and I agreed.

Saw it late last night, and again this afternoon - there is just something about this movie I love - maybe it is how the characters themselves have grown. Last night, I just sat there thinking how much they have grown and matured in character (I even found myself staring at them - from watching Sorcerer's Stone to this, Daniel has really grown up!! As have many of the other characters, as well). I never once thought that they looked too old for the ages they are to be portraying, though. Kids anymore grow up differently - I still look under 20 (and am still carded everywhere) and I am almost 30. DH, on the other hand looks 5 years older than what he is....so, I do hope that the original cast stays for the last 4 movies - just wouldn't be the same with different characters. So, I disagree with some critics saying that they looked too old in this film - what rubbish!!!

I liked the darker feeling in this movie - and buckbeak was just adorable - I want one!!! The humor in this movie was just enough to lighten it up - I especially liked the part where Harry "volunteered" to go up to Buckbeak - Ron's extra shove was cute. Wonder if I will see this movie in theaters as many times as I saw Titanic??? I may need to work a little over time

 

[nativetxn]

I haven't seen it yet but I'm looking forward to it

 

[antnee]

I am guessing that you are the reason for the advertisement at the beginning of the HP3 here about how bootlegged videos effect people who work on the movie. What makes me sadder is that you quote says that you are a teacher. Is that the example you provide for your students? I am sorry but if you really want to see the movie skipp a lunch out, or a few days at Starbucks and use the $$ you saved for a night a the movies.

Thanks for your judgement of my being a teacher, wonder what you do for a living?

 

[yodasdabomb]

Not meaning to get you upset. Saw your quote about teaching and wanted to point out how bootlegged videos effect the industry. No flames intended.

 

[LUVDSNY04]

My hubby and I saw HP last night and thought it was better than the other two movies. Now hubby can't wait for the next HP movie!

They showed a preview of The Princess Diary part II - looks really cute.

Also saw a preview of The Polar Express. This is a movie based on a children's book of the same name. Tom Hanks is directing this movie. The children's book is an excellent Christmas story. The movie will be out in November.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I beg anyone who thought it was just "Ok" or was befuddled or disappointed to see it again. It flows MUCH better....I was confused and a bit disappointed at certain omissions, but after seeing it a second time and learning the Marauders backstory will be in a later film....well, it made a huge difference.

I can't stop listening to the soundtrack and thinking about how beautiful certain scenes were....Harry riding Buckbeak had such an innocent joy about it, it's the first time EVER an HP movie has soared. The Quidditch match was spectacular and I hated the other matches in the other movies. And the interactions among the kids and adults....it was so real and Hogwarts seemed so real, I was sharply reminded of my visit to Scotland and filled with a kind of longing to be there again.

This wasn't a movie....it was a film. There's a difference.

 

[Az Pirates]

Originally posted by theSurlyMermaid
I beg anyone who thought it was just "Ok" or was befuddled or disappointed to see it again. It flows MUCH better....I was confused and a bit disappointed at certain omissions, but after seeing it a second time and learning the Marauders backstory will be in a later film....well, it made a huge difference.

I've heard several people comment about the lack of explanation re: the animagous, the petronus spell and the mauraders. I actually didn't mind that they didn't go into great detail about some of it. (would have liked more about the mauraders - but sounds like that will be in the next movie)
I thought there were parts in the earlier movies that didn't flow well because they were trying to go into TOO much detail explaining things that everyone who read the books already knew and understood. Example: quiddich - for those who didn't read the book - they would get that it's a game - those who did read it didn't need a whole drawn out explanation of the rules.

I liked the movie - but would have had no problem with it being a little longer to include even more.

 

[aesalsa]

I really LOVED this movie--I liked it better than the first two (that sentiment is affected by the fact that my DH programs our TV to "play" the first 2 HP movies EVERY TIME THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO AIR --it really drives me nuts ). I also liked the book better than the previous ones.

The flow was much smoother, the characters were more natural, comfortable with each other--I really felt that Hogwarts was "home" for them (ex. the "animal sounds" scene ).

Originally posted by theSurlyMermaid
I can't stop listening to the soundtrack and thinking about how beautiful certain scenes were....Harry riding Buckbeak had such an innocent joy about it, it's the first time EVER an HP movie has soared.

ITA! Beautifully put! I felt I was lost in that moment with Harry.

But I was also bothered that the movie didn't divulge the map tidbit. I hated those talking shrunken heads--YUK !! They added nothing to the story--they weren't even in the book. I wish it had been a bit linger to include more detail.

Overall, I LOVED IT! A big THUMB'S UP!

 

[campinggal]

What about the 'new' Dumbledore? I miss Richard Harris in that role. Michael Gambon did an OK Dumbledore- certainly sounded like him and picked up his speech pattern. The robes, hair and makeup helped but I missed the twinkling blue eyes that Richard Harris brought to Dumbledore. Gambon's Dumbledore seemed a bit more flat- OK but flat. Just my opinion.

I too wished they had explained the stag Patronus but maybe next time.

Those Dementors were awful (but well done)- yikes! Worse (scarier) than what I had imagined!!

All told, I liked POA- Hermione rocks! Go Girl!

So- any countdown to film 4???

 

[Danauk]

I really liked the movie and thought it did the book justice. It stuck to the main elements of the book but the ways of reaching them were different which might have spoiled it for some. The thing that I did not like was the fact that the castle was obviously different as were the grounds that it was set in. In film 2 the whomping willow was obviously near to the castle on flat ground where as in POA it seemed to have moved. Also the location of Hagrids hut was different. I guess I am just being too picky but that kind of spoiled it for me. I know a new difector sees things differently but I thought those changes were too obvious.
I however will be waiting for it to come out on DVD to add it to my collection.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Oooh, sorry but I LOVED the Dementors...they were eerie and creepy and they scared the heck out of me. Beautifully done. They were in danger of looking exactly like Ringwraiths and they did not.

If Columbus were directing, they would have tossed a black robe over someone's head and gone with it.

 

[Kirby]

My daughter told us today at the dinner table that HP had a nice behind. She just loved it when he bent over. She's 13 and that's what she brought out of the movie.

 

[WDWLVR]

We just came back from seeing it in Imax and I loved it. For some reason the Dementors didn't look anything like I pictured them. Still very scary and effective though.

I think the young actors are really growing in their rolls and doing a good job.

 

[Figment22]

Originally posted by aesalsa
The flow was much smoother, the characters were more natural, comfortable with each other--I really felt that Hogwarts was "home" for them (ex. the "animal sounds" scene ).

I really enjoyed that scene a great deal. It just seemed exactly like what 13 year old boys would do in a dorm room. It was great just to see them having silly fun as good, comfortable friends. And you have to figure that Fred and George were behind the animal noisemaking candies

 

[cynsaun]

Originally posted by campinggal
What about the 'new' Dumbledore? I miss Richard Harris in that role. Michael Gambon did an OK Dumbledore- certainly sounded like him and picked up his speech pattern. The robes, hair and makeup helped but I missed the twinkling blue eyes that Richard Harris brought to Dumbledore. Gambon's Dumbledore seemed a bit more flat- OK but flat. Just my opinion.

I completely agree. I really liked Michael Gambon in "Rings", but he just can't take the place of Richard Harris. I didn't think he sounded like him at all though!

I have a question. Why in the end did Black and Lupin want to kill Harry, then suddenly all was good with the group? I don't get it! I confess, I didn't read the book, so maybe there was more detail there. Also, what is everyone talking about with the Marauders? Who are they? I've completely missed that, I don't remember any mention in the movie!

I came away from the movie befuddled and confused!

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Kirby
My daughter told us today at the dinner table that HP had a nice behind. She just loved it when he bent over. She's 13 and that's what she brought out of the movie.

I was talking to my 6th grade students.. and we were talking about the movie.

I wanted to see it regarding the storyline, etc... but the girl students wanted to see Draco and Harry... they are HOT!

And the boys want to see Hermoine!

 

[yodasdabomb]

Originally posted by cynsaun
I

I have a question. Why in the end did Black and Lupin want to kill Harry, then suddenly all was good with the group? I don't get it! I confess, I didn't read the book, so maybe there was more detail there. Also, what is everyone talking about with the Marauders? Who are they? I've completely missed that, I don't remember any mention in the movie!

Black and Lupin did not want to Kill Harry, It only appeared that way, the whole time they were talking about killing Ron's Rat.
The Marauders are teh creators of the map, and their true identities are pretty imporatnt to the series and the story, their identities are discussed in the book but not in the movie

 

[septbride2002]

I hated it! Of all the movies I am the most disappointed with this one. The Director just chopped up way to much of it. We went and saw it with 3 people that had never read the books and they had so many questions it was unbelievable.

Things that should have been a part of the movie:

1) The explanation of the Maudrader's Map - who created it and why. It gives the connection for Lupin and Sirius to Harry.

2) The explanation as to why Sirius could turn into a dog and Peter Pettigrew could turn into a rat. The biggest question the group had was why no one went looking for peter knowing he could transform. and the 2nd question - why could they all transform.

3) Which brings us to number three the Silver Stag they showed at the other side of the lake - what was the point of putting that in there if they were not going to explain that James Potter could turn into a stag. I mean - how stupid!

4) Why all of a sudden are they making Malfoy out to be this big baby??? I mean we know that he is but in the face of everyone else he has always been the guy to act tough. It just seemed like he was being more wimpy.

Good things that I did like:

The boys messing around in the dorm room - that was a great scene.

I enjoyed Gary Oldman as Sirius - I thought he nailed it.

All the Buckbeak scenes were very well done.

The Quiditch Scene was really good as well.

I thought the cinematography was great in this movie - the scenew were beautiful. I loved Harry flying on Buckbeak - that was just awesome.

Things I'm just So/So about:

The new Dumbledore - not sure how I feel about that yet.

Why all of a sudden are the kids not allowed into the Three Broomsticks? Not a big deal but irked me a bit.

All and all I am seriously disappointed! I feel that I can watch the first 2 movies as a good substitute for going back and reading the book - it is not so with this movie.

~Amanda

 

[DISdreamin]

I enjoyed the movie very much. I have the same "concerns" as the rest of us about the map, patronus, and Snape helping Lupin, and even Trewlany's prediction. Perhaps it could have been an additional 30 minutes just to clear some stuff up that was actually in the movie. I am glad that it was not exactly like the book. That is one thing i heard from a cousin who "hated" the movie-- that is JUST because it wasn't accurate to the book.

Someone else had mentioned this and i feel the same way-- i was enchanted by the maturity in Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. I loved watching them; especially Harry. He is such a cutie. I also liked the pace and new approach into the darker side of Harry's story. Also liked how the Qudditch and Buckbeak scenes didn't look a bit computer animated like in the first and second films.

Can't wait to see it again.