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[Kycha]

I thought that was kind of dumb, too. Especially because Lupin told Harry that he knew exactly what that map was and what it could do- and then never mentioned it again. I guess the filmmakers figured it was implied that Lupin told Harry at some point?? In the book, it was a nice little moment when Harry found out that his Dad and his friends were Mssrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs- it would have been really nice to see that reveal in the film. I wish that some of the details had been left in the movies, too.

I have enjoyed all the films. But, for POA, I was really bothered by the details that were left out of the film. My DH does not read the books and at the end of POA, I had to explain to him the things that were left out. Specifically, he asked me about Sirius being able to survive Azkaban and the dementors for 13 years, and then being able to escape. Of course, if he had read the book, he would have known Sirius' ability to transform into a dog really saved him.

I found those omissions very glaring. The other 3 films, the details that were left out, were inconsequential.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I thought that was kind of dumb, too. Especially because Lupin told Harry that he knew exactly what that map was and what it could do- and then never mentioned it again. I guess the filmmakers figured it was implied that Lupin told Harry at some point?? In the book, it was a nice little moment when Harry found out that his Dad and his friends were Mssrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs- it would have been really nice to see that reveal in the film. I wish that some of the details had been left in the movies, too.

ITA. Maybe the filmmakers figured that viewers would think Lupin told Harry at some point but I know a lot of people were still confused by it. My sister, who does not read the books, said she thought the Mauraders Map storyline was stupid and pointless. When I explained to her the way the storyline played out in the book she thought it made a lot more sense and we both felt like if they weren't going to go anywhere with it or explain things better then they should have just left it out completely.

Kycha, I'm sure your DH wasn't the only one confused as to how Sirius survived Azkaban so long without going completely insane. That sub-plot was thoroughly muddled and once again, if I hadn't already read the book I probably would have been kind of lost.

 

[wvrevy]

Not to mention the fact that they left out the signifigance of the names "Moony" (Lupin), Padfoot (Sirius), Prongs (Harry's father), and Wormtail (Pettigrew). That changed the whole texture of the scene where Harry finally manages to produce a patronus, and it turns out to be a huge buck...just like the animal that his father turned into.

From what I understand, there is very little in the new movie about what goes on at the Order HQ before they go off to Hogwarts. Considering that about half the book took place before that - including quite a bit of bonding between Harry and Sirius, making the end scene that much more gripping - it just irritates me.

What I really wish they would do, if they insist on cutting the story to shreds to shorten the movies, is follow Peter Jackson's model with Lord of the Rings. Don't want a three-and-a-half hour marathon at the theater? Cut it down, then release the full, uncut version on DVD. I absolutely guarantee the majority of Potter fans would snap that up in a heartbeat.

 

[Kycha]

Oh, and Crookshanks relationship with Padfoot was omitted as well.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

Not to mention the fact that they left out the signifigance of the names "Moony" (Lupin), Padfoot (Sirius), Prongs (Harry's father), and Wormtail (Pettigrew). That changed the whole texture of the scene where Harry finally manages to produce a patronus, and it turns out to be a huge buck...just like the animal that his father turned into.

Yeah that scene was really moving to me in the book. The movie version however, fell far too short.

From what I understand, there is very little in the new movie about what goes on at the Order HQ before they go off to Hogwarts. Considering that about half the book took place before that - including quite a bit of bonding between Harry and Sirius, making the end scene that much more gripping - it just irritates me.

Ugh. Yeah the beginning of OOTP is where you see Harry and Sirius really getting more of a chance to talk and bond. Up until that point they've been unable to. Taking that away really takes away from the significance of Sirius' death. Oy.

What I really wish they would do, if they insist on cutting the story to shreds to shorten the movies, is follow Peter Jackson's model with Lord of the Rings. Don't want a three-and-a-half hour marathon at the theater? Cut it down, then release the full, uncut version on DVD. I absolutely guarantee the majority of Potter fans would snap that up in a heartbeat.

That would be so awesome if they did that. I know so many people who would buy the uncut version, including myself. I think that, unfortunately, the people involved in the movie and its process, don't really think so much about what the fans would like to see and focus instead on what they think is best for money generating purposes. Shame. They could make even MORE money if they took a few of our suggestions!

 

[phisigprincess]

I really think they're going to hack OotP apart. As it seems like most of you have, I went back and reread it last week. The book is very dark, and very much the "Empire Strikes Back" of the series. In order to appeal to a vaster audience I can see them putting much of the focus on Hogwarts and the final battle and scrimping on a lot of the crucial parts of the book. Any way you look at it, it's a HP fix and that's all that matters!!

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Re: the HP theme park at Universal: Woo hoo!

OOtP is the shortest movie thus far but based on the longest book! I'm dreading it, too. After the hack-up job on the GoF movie (complete cut of Winky = seriously altered plot, among other things) I think OOtP will fail to deliver. I think the OOtP movie will focus a lot on Umbridge and the time at Hogwarts and not so much on the title's namesake of the actual Order.

I *really* want to know why the change was made from from "I must not tell lies" to "I must not break rules." That is just...weird...to me. Umbridge was punishing him for "lying" about Voldemort, not for throwing fanged Frisbees in the halls. One of the main themes in OOtP is how nobody outside of the Order believes Harry (about Voldemort) and "lies" is so crucial to the story line than rule-breaking.

Perhaps they have changed the story enough that "rules" fits better than "lies." I hope it wasn't changed for some stupid PC reason or fear of offending parents. Or maybe they're focusing on rule-breaking as a way to undermine Umbridge (DA meetings break rules, the twin's fireworks and swamp breaks rules, etc) and changed it to fit since a good chunk of the story will be cut.

 

[N&B'smom]

I must be one of the few not dreading the movie. I can't wait!!! I am really looking forward to it. My husband is now as into it as I am - so it's going to be GREAT!!

Shelby

 

[The_Horned_King]

Watch the Uk version of the Trailer..and you'll be pumped about the moive!!

And yes it is MUCH darker.

 

[sabrinadv1]

It has taken me two days but I have finally read all 60 pages. Someone along time ago made the comment about Dumbledore being related to Gryffindor. I think this is a big possibility why else would he have the sword? I think we are going to find out alot about this when Harry visits Godric Hollow. I think that is why the Potters were placed there when they were hiding out from Voldermort. If Dumbledore is related to Gryffindor it is possible there is a potrait of him there. I think we are going to find out alot of information in that chapter.

I also like the idea that there is some kind of ancient magic that ties Snape into protecting Harry because of his life debt. That alos means Wormtail is also. Maybe that is why Dumbledore completely trusts him because Snape doesn't have a choice. I also love Snape in the movies but can't stand him in the books. They seem like two totally different people.

I can't wait to find out what else there is to Aunt Petunia. If Dumbledore's last letter was when he left Harry there what else could they possibly have had to talk about before then. I could see it if there were letters while Harry was growing up but not before Harry came to live with her.

I love Harry and Ginny together in the books. The part where they were sitting in the common room and Ginny was leaning on his leg just lets you know how comfortable they are together. It shows you the difference in a real relationship and just some teenage lust puppy love sort of thing. I don't know about Harry and Ginny together in the movies though they are going to have to change her alot to make it work for me I think.

I agree with the idea that Lilly worked in the department of mysteries. I hope Harry is going to find some insight that way into how to destroy Voldermort.

I was thinking so many things while I was reading everyone elses post now I can't remember half of them.

I will be back later when I remember something else.

 

[sabrinadv1]

OMG they are on a dragon. Check out http://mugglenet.com. It is the deluxe cover for DH.

 

[Sirius]

OMG they are on a dragon. Check out http://mugglenet.com. It is the deluxe cover for DH.

That's wonderful. Thanks for the headsup. I wonder if it's Norbert

 

[Figment22]

I wonder if it's Norbert

Actually, that's what I was thinking. He imprinted on a human as a baby; what other dragon would let humans ride him?

 

[sabrinadv1]

I haven't even thought about that. He was sent to Charlie so it is very plausible.

 

[poohbear919]

Ohhhh - that deluxe edition cover is so cool... Almost makes me wish that I ordered it! (Then again it's not too late yet...)

Anyway, can I just say how I got the b-i-g-g-e-s-t smile on my face yesterday when I drove by the local independent bookstore where I've got my copy of DH preordered! They had the official HP & DH lettering in the windows announcing the release, etc... That just means it's getting so close only one more month and a little less than two weeks left to wait!

 

[The_Horned_King]

it's a cool cover...but I really don't like how the dragon is drawn...he just looks weak.(i'm a drgon freak) Normally I like the covers(by the artits that does them) but this one just seems off to me.

 

[Sirius]

So, I started on OotP again. I had forgotten how much I hate Umbridge.

 

[va32h]

That's wonderful. Thanks for the headsup. I wonder if it's Norbert

I thought about that too, but doesn't this dragon look very old? The gray tufts of hair, the battered wings...and Norbert would only be six years old. So unless dragons age very rapidly, I don't think it's him.

On another HP forum, some people have theorized that it is a type of dragon called an Antipodean Opaleye, which is listed in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - the charity book that JK Rowling did for Comic Relief several years ago.

Opaleyes are called so because they have no pupils in their milky white eyes (which fits this picture) and they do not eat humans - they eat sheep. So perhaps Ron's brother Charlie was able to make friends with the only species of dragon that doesn't eat people...I don't think it is impossible, since Harry has ridden both Centaurs and Hippogriffs, which are supposed to be hostile to humans too.

Another wild theory is that some wizard has a dragon animagus - like Aberforth, since he has whiskers and the dragon has whiskers...Personally I don't like that idea since we have so many Animagi already.

 

[sabrinadv1]

All of this theorizing keeps leading us back to Charlie, which ever dragon it is. I wonder if that means we are going to be going to Egypt? There has to be a reason Hermoine is taking ancient ruins. Dumbledore himself said we don't know what Voldermort was up to most of the time after he left Hogwarts. I don't know if I think they will find a horcrux there but maybe they will find out how to destroy them. I think maybe Snape will finally be our eyes and ears so to speak on what is going on behind the doors with Voldermort. All this time Harry (we) have been left out of all the "important conversations" that take place with Snape's reports. I think that Harry is going to have to over come his hate for Snape even if Snape isn't capable of getting over his hate for Harry and accept his help in defeating Voldermort.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I've always thought that Hermione taking Ancient Runes would somehow be helpful to them in the end. I think it may play a part in book 7.