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[DeathbyVolcano]

No, not really. I read the book, without any preconceived opinions, prior to watching the movie, and I loathed it. Then I watched the movie, and loathed it even more. It's the only book/movie in the series I can't stand at all. Hell, I still wish Columbus would've stayed to direct all the Potter movies.

 

[Patrick Klepek]

Hogwarts SNAPS

http://www.nerdist.com/2009/03/hogwarts-snaps.html

yo mama so fat, when your parents have sex yo daddy gotta cast “accio vagina”

After she’s done being skanky, yo’ momma hides her tramp stamp by saying “Mischief Managed”

 

[Vinci]

Even though I just trolled him I agree. This movie certainly isn't Citizen Kane so getting worked up to the point of asking for his death is completely immature and stupid. However, I honestly believe he waits until the RT score is in then posts his opposite review.

Hell, even Citizen Kane isn't worth wishing for someone's death. I mean, for that level of hatred and disregard for a person's life, they'd have to ... I don't know ... hate on Adventures in Babysitting or something.

 

[Solo]

No, not really. I read the book, without any preconceived opinions, prior to watching the movie, and I loathed it. Then I watched the movie, and loathed it even more. It's the only book/movie in the series I can't stand at all. Hell, I still wish Columbus would've stayed to direct all the Potter movies.

Chris Columbus is one of the most pedestrian filmmakers youll ever find.

 

[Combichristoffersen]

If you think PoA sucks, then I can only assume you think the other 5 are amongst the worst movies of the past 20 years.

No, in fact, I quite enjoy them. Obviously not as good as the LotR trilogy, but still enjoyable movies.

 

[Vinci]

Chris Columbus is one of the most pedestrian filmmakers youll ever find.

Someone should add that to his Wikipedia page. In fact, remove the 'one of' part and turn everything else singular and you're good to go.

 

[DarwinMayflower]

It's a movie that's supposed to be accessible even to little kids. If the potential breadth of audience can't read, or read fast enough to keep up with the movie, they're likely to get lost.

The funny thing is a lot of the audience is supposed have read HP by then so I don't buy that reasoning. Secondly viewership for the next HP installment dropped due to CoS shitting the bed so badly...so that must mean sacrificing a potential financially successful film in favour for a few dyslexics could keep up makes sense? A lot of other children's movies have done better while still maintaining the dignity of being an entertaining film for all. CoS did not do that for a lot of people so much so that they refused to return to see the next installments.

 

[Tucah]

Shiiiiiiiiiiit. I'm curious to see who they'll get to play as them. :lol

The same actors. They're using the Benjamin Button tech to age them.

 

[Vinci]

The same actors. They're using the Benjamin Button tech to age them.

Way to spoil the surprise, man.

 

[Angry Grimace]

You are completely wrong. It is the only film that seems to care about it's pacing at all. The rest of them are happy to jump from random scene to random scene without a care in the world about the narrative of the story. Someone else mentioned that GoF seemed like a collection of 31 shorts instead of an actual movie. I would contend that this has been a problem for all of the HP movies except for CoS and PoA. CoS managed to tie most of the plot points together into something cohesive at the end. PoA managed to tell a convincing narrative from start to finish, with seemingly unimportant plot aspects taking center stage in the well done finale.

The rest of them are just a complete mess both in narrative and pacing. It's like the director has a checklist of scenes that they need to make sure to get in the movie. As long as they are in their, success! If they stop the plot progression dead in it's tracks then who cares.

Take this movie for example: I am supposed to feel a sense of doom that the world is on the brink of annialation. I got a few shots throughout the movie that showed me this.. but 99% of the movie seemed to care about love stories between the charachters. Which is all well and good, but they didn't tie ANY of them in with the plot in any meaningful way. There was no parralel to the story. I don't know if this was an issue with the book or the movie.. but it felt like there were two seperate movies going on that had nothing to do with one another. Tween love story movie and HP and Dumbledore fighting the deadeaters.

Not to mention the inconsistencies between the movies.. what the hell happened to Harry's army he just got through building in the last movie? My understanding is there was supposed to be a showdown trying to keep the bad guys from escaping Hogwart's that was cut from the end of the film.

The effect comes off to me as the movies hoping you read the book in to fill the gaps.

They all do that to an extent, even PoA. I can see how I wouldn't think they were iconic films without personal knowledge to fill in the gaps. Everyone saying, "There should be more war/gloom n doom, less romance" don't seem to remember that the book was just like that, on purpose. The contrast with Book 7, in which the focus gets a reversal is intentional, at least in my view.

 

[Internet Celebrity]

Just got back from seeing the movie, and overall I fall into the "impressed" category despite 90% of the cinema being populated by teenagers that felt the need to laugh at even the slightest suggestion of sexual innuendo.

Spoiler

"Take out your wand"

:lol... :|

For some reason I felt that some of the strongest scenes were those where the epic scale of London/Hogwarts were exploited more; maybe because the atmosphere of many of the locations is incredible. The comedy was, in my opinion, a welcome addition although at some times it seemed to jar a bit with the pacing.

Weak points were Harry and Ginny's development as a 'couple', and perhaps some of the sweetslightly cringeworthy moments between the other teens. However, it's nowhere near as bad as some people are making out (lol)

Spoiler

oh god they have poisoned me

Also, does anyone know what the purpose of the Weasley house scene was? I don't recall that being in the book...

 

[Jirotrom]

If everyone had good taste the world would be boring. I applaud your conviction you poor bastard.

:lol :lol :lol

 

[dimb]

The funny thing is a lot of the audience is supposed have read HP by then so I don't buy that reasoning. Secondly viewership for the next HP installment dropped due to CoS shitting the bed so badly...so that must mean sacrificing a potential financially successful film in favour for a few dyslexics could keep up makes sense? A lot of other children's movies have done better while still maintaining the dignity of being an entertaining film for all. CoS did not do that for a lot of people so much so that they refused to return to see the next installments.

Dyslexics? What?

I'm talking about little kids. Little kids who might have the book read to them and want to see the movie, or have never touched the books but want to get in on what all of their friends are doing.

 

[Jirotrom]

Hogwarts SNAPS

http://www.nerdist.com/2009/03/hogwarts-snaps.html

yo mama so fat, when your parents have sex yo daddy gotta cast “accio vagina”

After she’s done being skanky, yo’ momma hides her tramp stamp by saying “Mischief Managed”

OMG!! LOL

 

[Costanza]

I liked this movie 20x more than the five previous ones combined. I'm serious. It's so great.

 

[Angry Grimace]

Part of the reason the pacing is always going to be shitty in these movies is just due to the format of the books; they cover long series of events over the course of an entire year, and are required to intersperse events that are equally distributed throughout that year. It just makes for jarring edits.

 

[artist]

Apparently this is tracking for a $200M 5-day according to Nikki, another contender for TDK's 5 day gross record however this time its TDK's own studio (WB) rather than the fishy Paramount.

This needs 40M today to beat TF2's opening day and 45M for TDK. Former is possible, latter difficult.

 

[Jirotrom]

The effect comes off to me as the movies hoping you read the book in to fill the gaps.

They all do that to an extent, even PoA. I can see how I wouldn't think they were iconic films without personal knowledge to fill in the gaps. Everyone saying, "There should be more war/gloom n doom, less romance" don't seem to remember that the book was just like that, on purpose. The contrast with Book 7, in which the focus gets a reversal is intentional, at least in my view.

BINGO!!! Book 7 is a reversal... this is the "Kids have entered the real world" time for them to actuall know what its like. Tons of doom and gloom.

 

[tak]

I will say I have 2 beefs about the film... the burrow scene should have never been put in and that could have been time given to the funeral. Also when Harry calls Snape a coward, Snape remains calm, but its not like Snape has been truly portrayed correctly yet. I like Rickmans snape don't get me wrong, its just that he's never truly as much of a dick as he needs to be so never really learn as a movie goer why Harry hates him so much. I was really looking forward to snape going crazy after being called a Coward, oh well.

I agree with your Burrow views to a degree. However, I do think the chat about Draco and the cabinet did help solidify what is going in the story, which I think is needed for viewers that haven't read the book. The fight was pointless and not that satisfying, but I think the reason why the director wanted to include the fight was to show that the death eaters are on the move and attacking people.

As to Snape, the actor that plays Snape has never read the books; he feels the films should be separate from the books. It's clear in this film he has never read the books, and I thought this was his worse performance as Snape. He has been really good up to this movie. My main complaint, like you, is that he lacks the bite that the Snape in the books posses. He has been one of my favourite Harry Potter actors up to this film.

The actor that plays Dumbledore really surprised me this film. It actually felt like the calm, controlled Dumbledore from the books, which is the Dumbledore I like and I think needs to fill the position of headmaster. The previous films it felt like he was a teen girl on an emotional roller coaster. I should note, the first actor that played Dumdledore is still my favourite, and the new Dumbledore is another actor that hasn't read the books.

 

[Vinci]

The actor that plays Dumbledore really surprised me this film. It actually felt like the calm, controlled Dumbledore from the books, which is the Dumbledore I like and I think needs to fill the position of headmaster. The previous films it felt like he was a teen girl on an emotional roller coaster. I should note, the first actor that played Dumdledore is still my favourite, and the new Dumbledore is another actor that hasn't read the books.

As much as I loved and respected Richard Harris, he never - ever - fit my perspective of Dumbledore. Gambon is much closer honestly, at least from my perspective.

 

[Angry Grimace]

As much as I loved and respected Richard Harris, he never - ever - fit my perspective of Dumbledore. Gambon is much closer honestly, at least from my perspective.

My issue with Richard Harris was that he literally seemed infirmed the whole time, like he looked the part, but he really felt ancient in that role, and not the sprightly-for-his-age character that Dumbledore requires.

 

[Combichristoffersen]

As much as I loved and respected Richard Harris, he never - ever - fit my perspective of Dumbledore. Gambon is much closer honestly, at least from my perspective.

While I do enjoy Gambon's take on Dumbledore, I definitely prefer Harris' take on the character.

Wonder what it'd would've been like if Sir Ian McKellen played Dumbledore, considering what a great job he did as Gandalf.

 

[tak]

As much as I loved and respected Richard Harris, he never - ever - fit my perspective of Dumbledore. Gambon is much closer honestly, at least from my perspective.

I would have to disagree with you. Dumbledore in the books would never grab Harry and shake him like he did in the Goblet of Fire or roll his eyes at Fudge during the Harry's trial.

 

[LAUGHTREY]

My issue with Richard Harris was that he literally seemed infirmed the whole time, like he looked the part, but he really felt ancient in that role, and not the sprightly-for-his-age character that Dumbledore requires.

Gambon seems too young and too out of whack. I haven't seen this movie yet but so far he doesn't fit with Dumbledore being a wise old man who seems to know everything. If life was a game of chess he can see 100 moves ahead. Gambons little freakout in Goblet of Fire and the duel in the ministry, he is just TOO animated.

 

[Vinci]

My issue with Richard Harris was that he literally seemed infirmed the whole time, like he looked the part, but he really felt ancient in that role, and not the sprightly-for-his-age character that Dumbledore requires.

This, I suppose, more clearly delineates my perspective on the part of Dumbledore. Gambon radiates the energy and personality the character possesses a lot more, IMO.

I would have to disagree with you. Dumbledore in the books would never grab Harry and shake him like he did in the Goblet of Fire or roll his eyes at Fudge during the Harry's trial.

It's just a difference in how we perceived the character while reading the books, I guess. I always felt Dumbledore wasn't the typical 'wise old man' type; that he had a little more spunk and sense of whimsy to him.

 

[Jirotrom]

I agree with your Burrow views to a degree. However, I do think the chat about Draco and the cabinet did help solidify what is going in the story, which I think is needed for viewers that haven't read the book. The fight was pointless and not that satisfying, but I think the reason why the director wanted to include the fight was to show that the death eaters are on the move and attacking people.

As to Snape, the actor that plays Snape has never read the books; he feels the films should be separate from the books. It's clear in this film he has never read the books, and I thought this was his worse performance as Snape. He has been really good up to this movie. My main complaint, like you, is that he lacks the bite that the Snape in the books posses. He has been one of my favourite Harry Potter actors up to this film.

The actor that plays Dumbledore really surprised me this film. It actually felt like the calm, controlled Dumbledore from the books, which is the Dumbledore I like and I think needs to fill the position of headmaster. The previous films it felt like he was a teen girl on an emotional roller coaster. I should note, the first actor that played Dumdledore is still my favourite, and the new Dumbledore is another actor that hasn't read the books.

I agree, Dumbledore was nailed in this movie Gambon finally got it right. I also didn't realize that rickman never read the books, makes quite a bit of sense now.

 

[Cheebs]

To everyone else who has seen part 6 how would you rank all of them now? We all seem to be talking about how PoA and HBP are the best but what about ALL the films?

 

[Jirotrom]

This, I suppose, more clearly delineates my perspective on the part of Dumbledore. Gambon radiates the energy and personality the character possesses a lot more, IMO.



It's just a difference in how we perceived the character while reading the books, I guess. I always felt Dumbledore wasn't the typical 'wise old man' type; that he had a little more spunk and sense of whimsy to him.

except he would never get angry like that...lol, that scene was completely against his character.

 

[Vinci]

except he would never get angry like that...lol, that scene was completely against his character.

I'm not talking about that one scene, I'm talking about his general performance across the films.

 

[Jirotrom]

To everyone else who has seen part 6 how would you rank all of them now? We all seem to be talking about how PoA and HBP are the best but what about ALL the films?

I, have 2 lists... my fan lists and the actuall what I would call quality film list.

Fan list.

Half blood Prince
Prisoner of Azkaban
Order of the phoenix
Sorcerers Stone
Chamber of secrets
Goblet of Fire

Quality of execution List

PoA
HBP
SS
GoF
COS
OOTP

 

[GCX]

Wonder what it'd would've been like if Sir Ian McKellen played Dumbledore, considering what a great job he did as Gandalf.

McKellen would've probably been pretty much perfect for the role but because of LotR everyone would just wonder what the hell is Gandalf doing in their Harry Potter.

Seriously, just add a big beard and ta-da, a perfect Dumbledore:

 

[Angry Grimace]

I've never been a big fan of Rickman as Snape either; Rickman is always going to be Hans Gruber to me because he had relatively little to do in the movies, and I didn't think Snape was supposed to be a 50+ year old guy that steadily gains weight throughout the series. I kind of pictured him as more of a younger hot-headed type; Rickman throughout the series mostly stands around rolling his eyes at Harry's perceived stupidity, but it's not necessarily Rickman's fault as he was almost never given much material at all.

Part of the blame, of course, rests on JK Rowling, for not really fleshing out anything about Snape's motivations until the fourth to last chapter or so in the series.

For the most part I'm happy with the casting in the series, it's just minor quibbles. i.e. Luna seemed like she was high in Movie 5 rather than just a weird person.

 

[Jirotrom]

I'm not talking about that one scene, I'm talking about his general performance across the films.

explain further... dumbledore is supposed to be calm and collected with a little bit of witty humor. I don't think he pulled that off until HBP. Imean screaming "HARRY POTTER" in the goblet was weird too. I can't help but remember those scenes because they were so antagonistic to the character.

 

[Angry Grimace]

McKellen would've probably been pretty much the perfect Dumbledore but because of LotR everyone would just wonder what the hell is Gandalf doing in their Harry Potter.

Seriously, just add a big beard and ta-da, a perfect Dumbledore:

My 24 year old fiancee thinks Ian McKellen is hot. Even as Magneto. :lol

 

[Vinci]

Part of the blame, of course, rests on JK Rowling, for not really fleshing out anything about Snape's motivations until the fourth to last chapter or so in the series.

He should've read the books though. That was a mistake, as it would have informed his performance. Also talking to Rowling would've been a smart move.

explain further... dumbledore is supposed to be calm and collected with a little bit of witty humor. I don't think he pulled that off until HBP. Imean screaming "HARRY POTTER" in the goblet was weird too. I can't help but remember those scenes because they were so antagonistic to the character.

I'm comparing him to a very frail Richard Harris, man. Harris had the calm and collected parts down, but I don't think he could pull off the witty humor or (as I said) the sense of whimsy I envision being part of the character based on my mental interpretation of him in the books. I always saw him as something different from the 'wise old man' approach people seem to be promoting here. In fact, it was this (perhaps imagined) difference that made me genuinely like Dumbledore; the other interpretation would've bored me to tears.

 

[Cheebs]

Really? Hate for the film Snape? I actually like Snape the film character more than the book character. Well through Book 6 and Movie 6. Book 7 changes that quite a bit.

 

[DeathbyVolcano]

I'll echo the sentiment that Gambon played a magnificent Dumbledore in this movie. He was really great this time around.

 

[tak]

He should've read the books though. That was a mistake, as it would have informed his performance. Also talking to Rowling would've been a smart move.

He did talk to Rowlings. She actually told him how the series would end before she finished writing the series. He was one of the only people she told.

 

[Vinci]

He did talk to Rowlings. She actually told him how the series would end before she finished writing the series. He was one of the only people she told.

Then why is everyone saying he got things wrong in this film? Haven't seen the film yet, but I assumed he simply didn't know how things played out due to not reading the books.

What did he do wrong here?

 

[Combichristoffersen]

McKellen would've probably been pretty much perfect for the role but because of LotR everyone would just wonder what the hell is Gandalf doing in their Harry Potter.

Seriously, just add a big beard and ta-da, a perfect Dumbledore:

http://i30.tinypic.com/2hrfnz7.jpg

IIRC, McKellen was supposedly offered the role as Dumbledore after Harris died, but he declined.

From an interview with McKellen

“People say to me, don’t you wish you’d played Dumbledore? I say no! I played Gandalf! The original. There was a question as to whether I might take over from Richard Harris [Gambon’s predecessor in the Dumbledore role], but seeing as one of the last things he did publicly was say what a dreadful actor he thought I was, it would not have been appropriate for me to take over his part.” He smiles icily. “It would have been unfair.”

Finally, Mr. McKellen answers a question long debated in this and the LotR fandom: Who would win if there was a battle between Gandalf and Dumbledore. “McKellen puffs out his chest. “Gandalf. Of course.”

:lol

 

[GreyMatter]

McKellen would've probably been pretty much perfect for the role but because of LotR everyone would just wonder what the hell is Gandalf doing in their Harry Potter.

He was actually offered the role and turned it down.

EDIT: Beaten :lol

 

[DeathbyVolcano]

All the better, I'm not sure I like him typecasted as that sort of character, as remarkable as he was.

 

[levious]

sounds like they were bitter former lovers

 

[tak]

Then why is everyone saying he got things wrong in this film? Haven't seen the film yet, but I assumed he simply didn't know how things played out due to not reading the books.

What did he do wrong here?

From what I read, it sounded like she only told him how it ended, she didn't go into details. My main complaint is he is mellow in this movie, just going with the flow. He never acts mean towards Harry.

 

[BobFromPikeCreek]

Harry Potter is a wizard.

 

[Jirotrom]

Really? Hate for the film Snape? I actually like Snape the film character more than the book character. Well through Book 6 and Movie 6. Book 7 changes that quite a bit.

Snape is supposed to be extremly cold to harry, also the end of HBP in which he's called a coward...

Spoiler

given the circumstances in what he just did and what hes doing for Harry, the book truly displays his anger at this.

Rickman fails miserably to portray this.

 

[DeathbyVolcano]

Snape is supposed to be extremly cold to harry, also the end of HBP in which he's called a coward...

Spoiler

given the circumstances in what he just did and what hes doing for Harry, the book truly displays his anger at this.

Rickman fails miserably to portray this.

I'm confident that was strictly direction. They've always portrayed Snape in the movies is more quietly cold, never brutally angry, especially with Yates as the director. The end fits this. I would've liked to see him get a little angry, but it doesn't bother me.

 

[Combichristoffersen]

Really? Hate for the film Snape? I actually like Snape the film character more than the book character. Well through Book 6 and Movie 6. Book 7 changes that quite a bit.

I quite like both, but consider them to be somewhat different characters. Snape in the books seems to be more hot-headed, being far more prone to anger than his movie counterpart, which is more of a calm and icy character.

Also, Rickman's voice = the sex.

 

[Angry Grimace]

sounds like they were bitter former lovers

 

[farnham]

to be honest gandalf is the best wizard ever ..

I quite like both, but consider them to be somewhat different characters. Snape in the books seems to be more hot-headed, being far more prone to anger than his movie counterpart, which is more of a calm and icy character.

Also, Rickman's voice = the sex.

oh yes snape is really great in the movies.. i really like how he was portrayed