So as luck would have it I have a certain anonymous friend who has a certain anonymous brother who is a film projectionist. Which is why it is 3:43 AM and I just got back from seeing Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I have been impatient to see this movie ever since I thought it was going to be released 8 months ago. So I just about wet myself when I found out that I was going to see the movie 3 days early.I guess what I would have to say that I was impressed against my will, as this is my favorite of the Harry Potter books and I was expecting to be thoroughly disappointed. Anyway, brace yourself for my half delusional review (mild spoilers included). The overall tone of the film was perfectly creepy. There was a point where I felt like I might have nightmares. (Hopefully that doesn't come to fruition). The acting was superb and the cast has always been a perfect fit, except for the fact that Richard Harris from the first two movies understood how to play Dumbledore much better than Michael Gambon ever did. But I have to say that he (Dumbledore #2) didn't bother me at all in this movie. Quidditch was kept to a minimum that didn't affect the pacing of the film and was a nice break from all the heavy stuff. The special effects were wonderful and the look of the film was delightfully dark. Draco Malfoy haunted the screen and gave great pacing to the film and brought an appropriate sense of uneasiness. The altered death scene with Harry perfectly capable of physically responding whilst Draco confronted Dumbledore was an excellent change of pace. The audience could visually see his trust in Snape being destroyed and I thought this added to the emotional climax of Dumbledore's death. Really, as of now in the wee hours of the morning, my only complaints are Harry's heavy make-up job when McGonagall addresses the three after the cursing of Katie Bell (Harry has on some pretty luscious lipstick and darkened eyebrows), and the scene with Ginny and Harry in the Room of Requirement was unnecessarily awkward with Ginny. (Blech).
Anyway, overall a success. I can't wait to see it again. (I hope it holds up in the re-watching.)
Good night all... or should I say good morning ;)
6 comments:
Too cute and way bummer that your handsome husband wasn't there.
Frownies.
See you soon.
I feel the same way. What kind of lame spouse would abandon their husband to see Harry Potter 3 days earlier?! (Oh wait that's me).
Yay for living together again :)
I know that I can't wait to see the movie. It looks like the earliest Ed will go with me will be Friday. :(
I really appreciate your insights, Meridth. I, too, have been waiting impatiently for this release.
Claudia
Hate hate hated it. I don't know why I even bother anymore, I'm always disapointed. The changed death scene killed all the emotion... I barely even cried, and I cry at previews.
Having a few hours to digest, I guess I didn't HATE it. I mean I love Emma Watson, she was brilliant, same with malfoy. Aaand I liked the lack of quidditch. But I had heard so many good things I guess I just forgot I never like them.
Thanks Claudia :) I'm interested to know what you think about it...
So I'm guessing Emily that you are a HP fan? Personally I think that fans have a hard time with the transition from book to film. They are two completely different media and as such, there needs to be a significant amount of changes for them to work in their respective forms. I thought it was really good that Harry wasn't under the invisibility cloak. I think it was really important that you could see the death scene through his eyes. Also since he wasn't petrified, his character will feel much more responsible for Dumbledore's death than in the book.
I also liked that you could see that he did trust Snape (albeit at Dumbledore's request) enough in the movie to approach Dumbledore, so when Snape is the one that kills him it's more of a betrayal than in the books because Harry NEVER trusted Snape in the books.
This definitely was a significant change from the scene in the book. But making a movie that is 2 hours and 43 minutes there is no room for anything extra. And I do think that the battle at Hogwarts would be excessive for the movie and take away from the dramatic climax of Dumbledore's death.
I think it's possible to be disappointed with the death scene because you already know what's going to happen. Whereas while you were reading the book you had no idea (I'm assuming) that Dumbledore was going to die at the hands of Snape.
Sorry to hear though that the movie wasn't as enjoyable for you. :(
It's definitely hard to watch something you've already visualized in your mind.
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