OT: Harry Potter Update: not overwhelmed

[BeautyLLM]

Just curious to hear what everyone who saw HP thought. On the whole, my kids and I were disappointed. It was way too long! This movie needs some serious editing. In particular, there were too many dark scenes that lasted way too long. I actually closed my eyes a few times and almost fell asleep. I wish they had left more of the humorous scenes in...wasn't there a funny ghost who kept changing the password to get back into Griffindor? And weren't there funny scenes in some of the classes like potions and spells? Oh well, don't mean to be negative, but I really love the books and somehow was expecting to love the movie as well. On a positive note, the characters were all very well cast, especially Harry, Hermione and Ron, and the special effects were excellent.

What did you all think?

Leslie

 

[Dom13]

I liked it. Thought it was very good even. But I've never read the book. I never lost interest in the film, and I'm easily distracted. I'm even planning on seeing it again.

My sister, who has read the books, liked it also but still thinks the books are better. Wonder if they'll make any pins?

 

[LJC1861]

I too thought it was good but not great. There were many many great moments, but all in all it left me feeling a bit flat. I thought the main characters were superbly cast but they did not do a good job of introducing or explaining who the other characters were. I also thought that they glossed over some of the more important little things in the book to concentrate on things like the very computer generated and LONG quidditch game.

I plan on seeing it again however just to see if I can stop comparing it to the book and just enjoy it for pure enjoyment's sake.

Linda

 

[goofymom/pop]

And I loved it!! I know it wasnt exactly as good as the book, but what movie ever is. They can never get into the details like a book does. Even my hubby liked the movie, and he thought it went fast. He couldnt believe it was over so fast. the only thing that bothered me was the fast moving broom scenes...whooooo did I get dizzy. I give it a thumbs up.

Cindy

 

[YenSid1222]

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was a fabulous movie!

Yes, many funny moments had to be cut from the book...but in order to keep to the story, more of the dark aspects had to be there. I dont't think that the Quidditch match was too long at all. I actually would like to have seen more. Even though I knew the outcome, I was still on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was far more exciting than a similar scene in the huge movie of two summers ago. Personally, I can't wait for the next film....nor the DVD....and as long as I am on the subject of not being able to wait, if anyone runs into Ms. Rowling, please tell her that she needs to hurry along with Book 5, I really can't wait much longer for the next term to start. I have been working on my Potion studies, and have re-read Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them at least 3 times now. Please hurry along!

Harry Potter is the franchise that Disney should have done anything to get (including letting JK Rowling keep creative control). Now the other park up the highway is talking of an attraction again. And it will be a hit, mark my words. This coming from someone who back in January said that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone will break all opening box office records. Not only did my prediction come true....it beat the old record by $20 million! So, all I can really say is "Monsters, WHO?"

 

[GotAnyPins]

We just got back from the movie...and I could go and see it again...

We were w/ friends who had never read the books, and they like us, couldn't keep our eyes off of the
screen...and the time just flew..

I now had better read the rest of the books, I guess I know what I am going to do on my Thanksgiving
vacation...

Scott rules...you were soooooo right..

Donna

 

[Mickey527]

My boys are 25, 22 and 18.

Who is Harry Potter??? Peggie

 

[YenSid1222]

Age matters not when it comes to Harry Potter. I am 28, and I love the books. They are some of my favorite of all time.

 

[GotAnyPins]

I'll be waiting for the movie music on Fri. sung, hummed....whistled...whatever you choose.....

Don't dissapoint now..

 

[Dar20]

Hubby and I LOVED it!! I'm 27, he's almost 31. I guess we're just big kids. I love the books (reading them for the 2nd time). In fact, I was not interested in reading the books until my own MOM sent them to me! Mom, Dad, and brother are all fans, too.

Anyways, hubby and I saw the movie at a special screening last Sunday, and I can't wait to see it again tonight!

I think the movie did a great job of taking the book and condensing it into movie length. I did not think it was too long, and actually thought the movie felt shorter than 2 1/2 hours. (Of course, we had no trailers since it was a preview screening, so we went straight to the movie.) I personally would have rather had the movie longer to get some of my favorite parts in there. Also, I didn't think it was too scary for kids.. the books are much darker than the movie.

And, am I too old to have a crush on cute little Harry Potter? Uh oh.. I think hubby might read this!

One more thing to add, as Yensid did, Universal is really taking advantage of the movie to their benefit. The park is full of Harry Potter stuff.. and suckers like me are eating it up. I bought a few ornaments for myself and family. I restrained from buying more, although I wanted to!

Dar

 

[daber]

Didn't read the books.......Didn't want to see the movie......went with friends......thought the movie was excellent. Visually stunning. It's a shame Disney doesn't produce movies of this quality like it used to.

 

[YenSid1222]

I completely agree. Harry Potter is what Disney should be doing. Remember when Disney set the trend, and everyone else followed? Now it seems to be reversed. The company is searching now for some kind of fantasy story...they had the chance for the Potter fortune, and turned it down. Glad that deal with R.L. Stine for "Goosebumps" went so well. Wasn't that one of everyones favorite attractions at the Disney MGM Studios. I am sure all of you were so upset that it closed.

Now....if you will come with me to Yensidland for a moment.....

Imagine if Disney had gotten the rights to the Potter franchise...and did it right (as WB did)....my idea......

You walk out of the Magic Kingdom to the boat docks, where you see a fantastic boat waiting. The loaders call to you..."first years this way!" and you board the boat, which is only lit by torchlight. You cruise for a while, across the seven seas lagoon, across the water bridge, into Bay Lake...and then you see it in the distance. An Island. On this island, rising dramatically is Hogwarts. Where you will be able to spend as long as you like exploring hallways, taking classes called "Potions" or "Defense Against the Dark Arts". Go visit Hagrid in his house on the edge of the dark forest. If you feel brave, take a stroll through...I hear that one may find Unicorns and other fantastic beasts.

And dont miss the 3 o'clock Quidditch match!

Thank you for visiting Yensidland for these few moments, please come again.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Myself , a few other teachers and 99 of our students are going to see HP tomorrow morning and i am as excited as the kids are!!! These are 7th graders and many of them are Harry Potter officienados - promise to let you know what their and mine reactions are. Caroline

 

[KathiWithAnI]

I have read each of the 4 books twice and listened to all 4 books on tape AND LOVED THE MOVIE!

I also thought they did a great job of covering the main points of the story!
I would go see it again in an instant

Kathi

 

[the_tick]

Hello to everyone ~ 1st post, but have been reading the posts for awhile. My family thought the Harry Potter movie was great. We will definitely go a second time during the holiday time-off. It would have been great for Disney if they had been able to garner the rights to distribution of at least some of the merchandise. A Harry Potter themed ride would have been an excellent addition to any of the Disney Parks. I wonder who has the rights to Lord Of The Rings that comes out in December this year? I had heard that there may be a movie(s) based on the works of Anne McCaffrey and her Dragonriders of Pern series? The trend of mystical movies are being snapped up and there is a huge fan base already. I hope Disney is able to tie-in an attraction with a strong following (just like the Nightmare Before Christmas). I don't think Disney was quite ready for the amount that has surfaced for the Mansion re-do. It's nice to see the long lines for an older attraction.

 

[lovingthemouse]

First of all, welcome to The_Tick- nice to have you joining us on the boards. I would say that 90 of our 99 students loved the movie today and so did I!!! I will definitely go back and see it again, without 99 students!!! We had the entire theatre to ourselves - it will be interesting to see it with a different crowd and watch for reactions. The special effects were incredible - i think Warner Brothers, not Disney as i originally said, really went to town in their creations of the Hogwart School!!! I would recommend it to anyone who has a great imagination, loves great entertainment and enjoys the unexpected!!! Caroline

 

[Dar20]

Caroline,

I think you meant to say Warner Brothers really went to town with the creation of Hogwart's. Harry Potter is not a Disney movie.

Speaking of Disney movies, though.. LOVED the Monsters, Inc. preview at Harry Potter. Very clever of Disney to acknowledge the movie like that!

Dar

 

[lovingthemouse]

Thanks Dar - i am just glad that some studio, Warner Bros, had the intelligence to make the movie so true to the book. Caroline

 

[Dar20]

Just an FYI, parts of the movie were filmed at the Alnwick Castle. Here's a link... Alnwick Castle ahhh.. I have a new obsession to add to the list.. first scrapbooking, then pins, now this.. what's next?!

Dar

 

[ScroogesNephew]

An outstanding movie. It brought the book to life for myself and my wife. Still, I suppose one DOES have to still have the Walt spark alive and well in them, though, to appreciate it. Of course, my wife and I are very unsophisticated (young at heart).