I finally got around to seeing the latest in the Harry Potter films, No. 5, 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.' We need to preface every Harry Potter film from Book 3 onward with: "This film did not include everything that was in the novel. It really couldn't, because then it would be a 6 hour film."
This fact doesn't bother me, really. If I want to read dense, incredible, brilliant 750 page tomes, I'll pick up JK Rowling's masterpieces. If I want pure, unadulterated, special-effects-heavy films with perfect casting, I'll watch the Harry Potter films. I love these movies because:
1) I LOVE fantasy, in just about any form
2) I love epic Hero Journeys
3) The characters of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger are two of my favorite characters, ever, and I will watch and read about them if they were in comas
4) I am a very visual, sci-fi-loving Nerd, and proud of it
5) I love to be entertained. And WOW, are you ever, with these films.
It's hard to pick a favorite, really, of the books or of the films. But if I had to choose, I'd say 'Half-Blood Prince' is the best novel (so far...) and 'Phoenix' is the best film. True, I missed the large chunk of the plot that involved Harry spending time at Sirius' house, and some of the developments there. But Quiddich, once you've seen it once, you get the idea. And house-elves, were never a favorite. Otherwise, I think they hit the major plot points in this adaptation. Sirius' fate actually made more sense when I saw it, as opposed to when I read it.
This film was darker, Harry had more anger and angst, and the whole cast of characters seemed in a more dangerous situation. It had a bit of a horror element to it, what with Harry's nightmares and any appearance by You-Know-Who, which I liked. Voldemort is back, after all. Imelda Staunton was excellent as Dolores Umbridge, who came across as more sadistic on film. And Evanna Lynch was great as Luna Lovegood, the loopy, odd classmate, a favorite character for me personally. The cast is excellent all the way around: Maggie Smith (McGonnagal), Ralph Feinnes (Voldemort), Gary Oldman (Sirius), Emma Thompson (Trelawney), Alan Rickman (Snape), and Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix LeStrange; does this woman ever play anything but wackos?), to name a few.
Daniel Radcliffe has proven he can carry these films, as the protagonist, and I look forward to a post-Harry career for him. When did he get to be such a handsome young man? It seems these 'kids' grew up fast.
Favorite moments? The climactic battle of magic at the Ministry, Harry teaching The D.A., and any scene which included Hermione (she's just a great character, and Thank Heavens Emma Watson signed on for the final two).
It all makes you want MORE...and Lucky Us: We've got quite a bit more to go.
Grade? A+
I will rush to own this one.
In other HP news, I'm reading the final novel, as is half the planet. It'll be bittersweet, to be sure, when it's over. But thankfully, we can read it all over again whenever we like. And if we want to watch it, these films are as close as we can get to actually seeing the wizarding heroes we've all come to love.
Get your HP fix today! Check out the film. You can't be disappointed. It's clearly the film of the year, so far.
HP Nerd :)
4 comments:
Great review! I could just say "ditto" to everything you said. We saw it for the second time today - and enjoyed it even more. Imelda Staunton was deliciously evil. I LOVED the cat pictures in her office. Too campy!
Take Care
Terre
Hey Terre!
Yeah, I loved it. Hope to see it again soon. Loving the book! I agree on the cat pictures in Umbridge's office. I loved that.
Hey Marty. . .I saw it opening night at Midnight. My roomie's sister-in-law had a Dark Mark laser pointer that she kept pointing at the screen whenever the screen went dark between trailers. Ok, we were so giddy to see the movie we were giggling like school children (oh wait! Technically, my neice and nephew are school children!)
It was too much fun. The very next week, my sister and the same 17 year old neice came back down to Richmond to see it at the IMAX. You really must see it at the IMAX. Let me know when you are ready to go. I'm there.
"Joan"
Hey VA! I definitely want to see it again; we must plan it! IMAX generally gives me a headache; I am farsighted and it's just too big! But maybe a regular theater viewing?
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