Re: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One (spoiler-free)
Camilla Send a noteboard - 18/11/2010 11:02:29 AM
Long story short, it was good. Go see it.
Long story cut in half and made into a movie? It's definitely worth watching. The script sticks much more closely to the original than the previous movies, and the liberties which were taken have largely been smoothed out. There's a bit of awkward, rushed exposition in the first few scenes (Oh hi Harry here's Bill and Fleur they're gonna get hitched oh and he got bit by a werewolf he likes his steaks raw and also Remus and Tonks are married and she is MASSIVE INTERRUPTION), but there are relatively few bumps throughout.
Well, they made their bed &c.
The Burrow, despite its earlier troubles, is apparently fully functional again. Which makes one wonder why exactly it had to suffer such troubles, but there you go.
Huh. Indeed. Although to be fair, they do have the "let's put things back together" spells.
The acting of the supporting characters is, of course, wonderful, and it's nice to see continued improvement in the abilities of Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson (Ms. Watson, I know you don't read this, but if you by some chance do: congratulations on the reduction of erratic eyebrow spasms. There's still some work to be done, though; keep it up!). Particularly of note is the supporting role of Yaxley, played by Johnpaul Castrianni, who does a fantastic job at acting the Gestapo-esque villain needed by Voldemort at the Ministry.
Lupin? What about Lupin?
Plotwise, there isn't terribly much I can give away without making this a spoiler-tastic review. There are a few instances where they deviate from the book--they show some actions that Hermione takes over the summer instead of having her tell Harry & Ron about them, for instance--but they generally are done much better in the new style. There is more of a Hermione/Harry subtext than in the books, which is rather odd given Harry's obvious feelings for Ginny. Harry's somewhat maudlin nature does of course show up, but it generally emerges only in situations whose context calls for it. Additionally, not a great deal of time is given to the period between the wedding and the trio leaving Grimmauld Place, which I maintain is the best writing Rowling has done to day.
That is sad. I liked that bit, too. And quite a lot of stuff happens there. If they cut that, then what are they spending time on? Just the forest? Hmm, I shouldn't ask. I should just curse Ben and Rebekah and Tim for convincing me to wait until Tuesday to see it.
The most awkward difference I can probably think of is that the Taboo is not discussed, and so people suddenly switch from "Voldemort" to "You-Know-Who" without any reason given.
That is annoying.
The special effects are the best they have been, obviously, and the various duels are a treat to watch, as is Ron's destruction of the Horcrux. Part One ends with the escape from Malfoy Manor and Dobby's death, which makes me hope for a Part Two that consists mostly of action.
Hmm. Not a great fan of action, me. And I find duels deadly (deathly?) dull to watch, as a rule.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
structured procrastinator
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One (spoiler-free)
15/11/2010 07:05:18 PM
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Free?
15/11/2010 07:37:31 PM
- 734 Views
I figure it's fair. I mean, the universe has to make up for you being you sometimes, right?
15/11/2010 10:28:46 PM
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Sorry, I can't hear you over everyone in the theater talking before the film.
15/11/2010 11:47:11 PM
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...If my friends and I can get a seat. Holy crap is this line long. *NM*
15/11/2010 11:18:02 PM
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Hah, well, that subtext is probably a good thing (spoilers)
16/11/2010 02:24:13 PM
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Yeah, but unfortunately it just comes off as being really out of nowhere.
16/11/2010 05:29:26 PM
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I am sooooo over HP. I'll probably wait a week for the fan-storm to blow over, or wait 'till dvd.
16/11/2010 03:43:27 PM
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NSSP: So?
16/11/2010 05:50:53 PM
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I'm thinking you'd be really, really, really confused. It might be a bit like surrealist art.
16/11/2010 06:04:37 PM
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But the 7th book relies so heavily on the 6th, it would be pretty impossible.
16/11/2010 08:29:28 PM
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You ought to read or watch them just for their cultural relevance.
16/11/2010 08:30:45 PM
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I see the , but serioiusly, I don't think I need to.
17/11/2010 05:53:27 PM
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It's about as influential as Star Wars, which I guess depends on how influential you think SW is.
17/11/2010 09:23:55 PM
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That seems a bit early to say - wait till twenty years have passed, then check again. *NM*
18/11/2010 03:46:24 PM
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Fair enough, but I think we're already seeing its influence on children's literature. *NM*
19/11/2010 08:41:51 PM
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Re: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One (spoiler-free)
18/11/2010 11:02:29 AM
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didn't like 3/5 for me
21/11/2010 12:57:59 AM
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I'm glad it's 2 films, but the total run time could be 4 hours instead of 5 hours *NM*
21/11/2010 07:15:54 AM
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i guess even with severe editing one film would have ran for 4 hours
22/11/2010 11:53:13 AM
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the dance was one of the best scenes in the film, imo. *NM*
22/11/2010 07:09:26 PM
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Yeah, I really liked it.
22/11/2010 08:10:08 PM
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Re: Yeah, I really liked it.
23/11/2010 10:20:26 PM
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yes, but we can't have CHARACTERIZATION!!!
24/11/2010 06:55:39 AM
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it wasn't characterisation, it was horribly awkward and clumsily crowbarred in
25/11/2010 01:15:20 AM
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*shrug* I liked the scene. It was something lighthearted in the middle of a lot of bleakness
25/11/2010 01:43:14 AM
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I was against the idea of splitting it when that was first announced
29/11/2010 03:02:27 PM
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Wow. Awesome. Makes it all the sadder how bad the others were, but oh well.
26/11/2010 10:48:35 PM
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A few more detailed thoughts about why this film blows its predecessors out of the water
29/11/2010 02:46:23 PM
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One scene they could have made scarier (spoilers)
30/11/2010 05:16:42 PM
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oh I dunno...
01/12/2010 08:25:20 AM
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I for one cannot WAIT for the Bellatrix vs Molly Weasley showdown. Gonna be epic! Best scene in book *NM*
05/12/2010 07:41:53 AM
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