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I'll try not to give away too much.
This is a visually BUSY movie, with lots of shaky-cam shots. It is more intense than the other HP films. If you have a timid, or easily frightened child, don't take them to the film.
If you have a severe fear of snakes, do not see the film!
Now, with that out of the way. I enjoyed the film. As an adaptation of the book, it was pretty good. There were some obvious, perhaps even necessary changes to the story to make it work cinematically.
Despite breaking it into two films, Part One still had a Cliff-notey feel to it. If you haven't read the books, some things will not make sense at all, some key exposition was left out, presumably for the sake of running time.
Funniest line of the movie:
Dobbie never meant to kill. Dobbie only meant to maim, or badly injure.
I'd give it 2.95 stars out of 4.
I've seen it last night...
I'll start by saying that I'm not a raving fan of Harry Potter, but I am on the "plus" side with the movies. I specially like the way you see the kids grow with each movie... They're like part of the family now, lol.
Well, they used alot of characters from the previous films/books that somwehat rewards you for having seen/read the story so far... Mind you, they used so many characters (sometimes with no introduction) that I had no clue who some of them were. Lucky I had my girlfriend sitting next to me to quickly explain who these characters were.
The story also takes you to many places, most of them very interesting but I found that it had MANY scenes where they're just sitting in the woods staring at each other doing nothing. A true fan of the Harry Potter franchise wouldn't mind though, but folks going to see the movie just to accompany someone else would (in my opinion) find these scenes long and dull to watch. I myself found those scenes 'JUST' bareable.
In all it is a good 'introduction' for the final film that's comming up in a few short months and I can't wait to see THAT one, as it certainly promises alot more action and epic battles than this one. I still enjoyed watching it and would recommend it for all who liked the previous films. But for those who haven't seen the previous movies, I suggest strongly staying away from this one.
I give it a 6.5 outta 10.
Ultradan
The story also takes you to many places, most of them very interesting but I found that it had MANY scenes where they're just sitting in the woods staring at each other doing nothing. A true fan of the Harry Potter franchise wouldn't mind though, but folks going to see the movie just to accompany someone else would (in my opinion) find these scenes long and dull to watch. I myself found those scenes 'JUST' bareable.
Ultradan
Ah, yes. The extended camping trip. It still has to be shorter and less boring than the book. And I'm a fan.
I think I'll ask the family to take me to see it as my birthday gift. Should be doable, my birthday falls on Black Friday this year. Everyone else will be out shopping.
Saw it yesterday on the IMAX. My first impression of it is it's better than Harry Potter 5 or 6, also by the same director. I found those two weak, even compared with the first two movies in the franchise. I didn't like much of the pacing and too much interesting stuff got glossed over in favor of frivolous or invented stuff (like trading the fight between the Order and the Death Eaters at Hogwarts for an attack on the Burrow).
But I think with the freedom of time and storytelling space granted by breaking the last book up into two movies, Yates and the screenwriters were able to do a better job of conveying important elements from the plot, including (re-)introducing important characters like Dobby, Bill Weasley, and Mundungus Fletcher.
Saw it yesterday on the IMAX. My first impression of it is it's better than Harry Potter 5 or 6, also by the same director. I found those two weak, even compared with the first two movies in the franchise. I didn't like much of the pacing and too much interesting stuff got glossed over in favor of frivolous or invented stuff (like trading the fight between the Order and the Death Eaters at Hogwarts for an attack on the Burrow).
But I think with the freedom of time and storytelling space granted by breaking the last book up into two movies, Yates and the screenwriters were able to do a better job of conveying important elements from the plot, including (re-)introducing important characters like Dobby, Bill Weasley, and Mundungus Fletcher.
Agreed with your thoughts on H-P5 and H-P6: too much action for action sake to the detriment of elements that may not be essential to the resolution of THAT episode, but primordial to the integrity of the plot as a whole.
However, I LOVED the pacing of H-P7 part 1
'findel
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I like watching the films but the gimick of introducing something that saves everyone's tail that is prevalent throughout the series (time and time again) is getting kind of tiresome. I also don't like how certain characters that I have long forgotten about come back like Epic heroes well beyond what they were in previous films. There really isn't that much heartache in the film despite the score and writer's attempts to pull at my heartstrings. I go in with low expectations and I am usually pleased to like the film for completely different reasons other than finales and epic clashes.
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However, I LOVED the pacing of H-P7 part 1
** spoiler omitted **'findel
I think they could have done this differently and cut that 45 minutes to 10, and still given the same effect without having me bored.... although it was a good time for a bathroom break and free popcorn refill without missing anything.
I think if anything they should have done it just so that the ending weren't so aweful.. I don't like how they seem to be shrugging off te changes they made before the series was finished, even less so how its biting them in the butt now. The whole scenes that they cut out of 5 and 6 were my favorite parts of those two books (Dumbledore's funeral), so I admit that might be clouding my judgment. I still think it could have been done in one movie @ return of the king length.. it wouldn't have been so bad if it had the action of the final fight to offset the boring begining
I think they could have done this differently and cut that 45 minutes to 10, and still given the same effect without having me bored.... although it was a good time for a bathroom break and free popcorn refill without missing anything. ** spoiler omitted **
However, I LOVED the pacing of H-P7 part 1
** spoiler omitted **'findel
Grrr. Pressed [Cancel] instead of [Submit Post]. I am my own post monster. That's after loosing power right about when my original post was ready... So here's take 3.
Like in all things, it's a matter of preference I guess.
In answer to the Return of The King reference in your spoiler, the whole Peter Jackson's LofR series stands for me as a good example of potentially good movie(s) ruined by an artificially accelerated pacing punctuated with elements of scenario solely included for the purpose of including more action/tension with virtually no impact on the story.
Peter Jackson isn't the only one to blame; this has been a trend in recent movie-making for a few years now. Personally, I hope this trend is over and that directors will (and be allowed to) start taking their time with the story, introduce characters properly and allow slow moments to make the final cut in order for fast-action scenes to feel "fast-actiony" without having to go way over the top. I have found this escalade of bringing always more action than in the previous scene sickening, and has kept me away from theatres for at least three years now.
'findel
Hedwig was definitely an upgrade from the book. Even if they change the blame from Harry (whose fault it was in the book) to her (in the movie).
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Personally, I hope this trend is over and that directors will (and be allowed to) start taking their time with the story, introduce characters properly and allow slow moments to make the final cut in order for fast-action scenes to feel "fast-actiony" without having to go way over the top. I have found this escalade of bringing always more action than in the previous scene sickening, and has kept me away from theatres for at least three years now.
Excellent point!
I believe most directors used this sense of pacing back in the 70's. The story lulled when the characters were acting like real people and as the action quickened you got the feeling that something epic and rare was truly happening.
Not so today at all. Just like in the 5th Element, "It has to pop, Pop, POP, POP! You are dead on when you say that the quickening pace is relentless until it borders on the point of ludicrious.
Hedwig was definitely an upgrade from the book. Even if they change the blame from Harry (whose fault it was in the book) to her (in the movie).
Indeed, a good example of how a scene can be altered in order to shave a few minutes and keep the flow without changing the intent of the scene nor the outcome of the story.
At least this time it was justified; a lot of movie adaptations achieve that by swapping replies from one character (in the book) to another (in the movie) and that, for some reasons, really get on my nerves. Its like if the characters were cheated of their essence. *sigh*
Unfortunately, even H-P7 part 1 wasn't free of that...
Hedwig was definitely an upgrade from the book. Even if they change the blame from Harry (whose fault it was in the book) to her (in the movie).Indeed, a good example of how a scene can be altered in order to shave a few minutes and keep the flow without changing the intent of the scene nor the outcome of the story.
** spoiler omitted **
Au contraire regarding your spoiler, in the book,
Au contraire regarding your spoiler, in the book, ** spoiler omitted **
ah, eh... yeah!
I was just testing your Potter-lore, off course
*hide in shame*
OK, I saw DH1 yesterday, and spent the entire 2.5 hours face-palming. Maybe someone can help me out here.
Are they really that freaking stupid? Really? Every movie, EVERY ONE, teaches them one lesson: that if they run from things, they get stepped on -- but if they stand and fight, they walk all over the opposition like the bad guys are a pathetic bunch of chumps. So what do they do in this one? The mind boggles.
P.S. My wife claims that there are mitigating explanations in the books that make the kids (and Gandalf or whatever his name is, for that matter) not look like unmitigated low-grade imbeciles. I hope she's right. Can anyone help me out?
OK, I saw DH1 yesterday, and spent the entire 2.5 hours face-palming. Maybe someone can help me out here. ** spoiler omitted
Spoiler:So, the three kids knock off a couple of snatchers in the cafe with no effort at all. And we're led to believe Ron, on his own, has been stalking them and collecting their wands as trophies. So, when the three heroes are back together -- all with nice wands, and Ron has a freaking invincible magic sword of kill everything besides -- instead of burying a few more of these mooks that show up, instead they run away and let themselves get captured. WTF?! So, the net result is that they traded one (1) magic McGuffin destroyed for the following: (a) the one magic sword that represents the only way to destroy the remaining McGuffins; (b) their personal Gollum clone who apparently doesn't have to follow the rules of magic at all; and (c) the entire initiative in their undertaking.Are they really that freaking stupid? Really? Every movie, EVERY ONE, teaches them one lesson: that if they run from things, they get stepped on -- but if they stand and fight, they walk all over the opposition like the bad guys are a pathetic bunch of chumps. So what do they do in this one? The mind boggles.
P.S. My wife claims that there are mitigating explanations in the books that make the kids (and Gandalf or whatever his name is, for that matter) not look like unmitigated low-grade imbeciles. I hope she's right. Can anyone help me out?
Spoiler:Speaking of Gandalf, he's had HOW MANY YEARS to track down a few McGuffins and train a hero? And he's been doing what, exactly, all those years? Attending PTA meetings? They guy is so pathetic he makes Harry seem like a mental heavyweight.
OK, response to spoiler 1:
In the forest, they're successfully ambushed by a larger number of snatchers, none of the kids are trained swordsmen (so use of the sword is dubious), and Harry's and Ron's wands are "borrowed" rather than their own original wands (wands choose the wizards as you might remember from the first movie) so they aren't at their best.
But to say they've lost the initiative isn't at all true. They're about to take the initiative after wandering fairly lost in the woods for a while, assuming the second part of the movie is anything like the book at this point.
Response to spoiler 2:
I think that Daniel R. kid is turning into an actor! The young actors really seem to be stepping up across the board in this one.
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I think that Daniel R. kid is turning into an actor! The young actors really seem to be stepping up across the board in this one.
I give Emma Watson props for:
The scene where Bellatrix is straddling Hermione, biting her, and cutting her with the dagger. I thought Emma's reactions were genuine to the point of making that scene very disturbing to watch.
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8
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I think that Daniel R. kid is turning into an actor! The young actors really seem to be stepping up across the board in this one.I give Emma Watson props for: ** spoiler omitted **
I heard the director had the same reaction, and actually yelled cut on that scene early because things were getting too intense.
I heard the director had the same reaction, and actually yelled cut on that scene early because things were getting too intense.I think that Daniel R. kid is turning into an actor! The young actors really seem to be stepping up across the board in this one.I give Emma Watson props for: ** spoiler omitted **
Considering Helena has already injured a cast member, I imagine there was an aspect of some real fear from Emma.
Everyone that I know that loved the books and saw the movie loves the movie. They universally said that it is a very good depiction of the book.
A-hem ... that all said, I would label the movie as the "Deathly Boring."
I could have edited the movie down to 26 minutes of action. The rest of it revolves around woodland, lake front, and building interior scenes where our intrepid cast is stumped trying to figure out what to do.
If that was the intent, the director gets an A+ for his efforts.
So, the next movie is supposed to be non-stop action.
On the 5 star scale, I would go with a two.
In service,
Rich
www.drgames.org
Saw it last night and loved it!
Pretty faitful to the book and well done as a movie.
I have heard that the movie was very faithful to the book.