But about that movie... I loved it. Loved it! I purposely didn't re-read the book ahead of time, so it's been at least a couple of years. I had hoped that would give me enough distance to not have too many expectations as to what they would show. It worked. There were scenes I would have loved to see on the big screen, but I understood the need to leave so much out. It is a huge book. I was hoping they could make the movie a little longer, but all in all I think they did an admirable job in shrinking down a very busy story.
Spoilers coming, so if you haven't seen the movie yet (or read the last book), and plan to, stop reading here. I'll put anything else I have to say in another post, so you won't miss anything but movie talk. So stop reading now. Unless you don't mind being spoiled. You have been warned.
SPOILERS
What I loved about the movie: Evanna Lynch's portrayal of Luna. I liked her even more than I did in the books. She was amazing. Imelda Staunton was equally scary/nasty as Umbridge. Not quite the toad I pictured in the book, but still very very sickeningly ick. I thought Helena Bonham Carter was beyond brilliant as Bellatrix. All in all very good casting. I was happy that they left in one of my favorite scenes from the book, the Weasley twins grand exit, and while I would have loved to have seen their swamp, I understand why it was left out. The thestrals looked great! Exactally the blend of creepy, ugly, and yet very likeable creatures. The subtle set-up of the future Ginny/Harry relationship was done well, with some admiring glances from Harry over her magical prowess and some mildly jealous looks from Ginny when Harry and Cho were together. I was really glad they took the time to show what a great witch Ginny really is. She's been all but ignored in the last few movies, and she plays such a large role in Half Blood Prince. Snape was great, as usual. Movie Snape is so different than Book Snape for me, but I love them both equally. The Ministry of Magic was phenomenal. I really loved the special effects. They looked very "real" and not over-the-top, aren't-we-talented-look-what-we-can-do. It was much better than what I had pictured.
The Head-in-the-Fireplace special effect was much more the way I pictured it from the way it was shown in the last movie, but at the same time it was distracting to me because I had just seen that scene from Goblet of Fire earlier this week. I thought that it was kind of bad form to do it differently, even if it was better.
My favorite thing was Harry's reaction when Sirius feel through the veil. It was perfect! They showed the depths of his emotions without schmaltz or obvious emotional manipulation. It had a much greater effect in the silence. I have to say my worst ever scene from an HP movie was Harry's "He killed my parents" breakdown in Prisoner of Azkaban. The losing Sirius scene from OOTP makes up for that bit of crap.
What I didn't like, or wish was different:
I missed Mrs Black. She would have made for at least one good scene in the movie. I loved Sirius' line in the book: "I see you've met my mother." I hope that shows up in deleted scenes, but it probably won't because I'm guessing they didn't even make her portrait for the movie. I wish they would have shown Dumbledore's office sealing itself against Umbridge. They didn't explain about Aurors, or even mention them. There were a lot of missing explanations for things, such as Phineas Nigellus' portraits, why Grimmauld Place was such a great hq, where Neville's parents are, what Fred and George are going to do and where they got the money for it, and lots more that I'll add as they come to me.
I don't mind them leaving out the Quidditch, but it was interesting about Harry, Fred, and George being banned and all of that about Ron. They really stole all of Ron's glory that was in the book. I would have loved to hear a rousing chorus of Weasley Is Our King. It also cost us the beginning of Fred and George's grand exit when they call their brooms from the dungeons and the bits of chain and rock clinging to them ats they made their final fly through. I like Fred and George's exit much better the way it was written. It was almost anticlimactic the way it was on screen, knowing what a brilliant scene it was originally.
I was mildly disappointed by the set up for the Room of Requirement. It was pretty lame to just have Neville walking by and it appeared. I loved that in the books, it was first mentioned by Dumbledore, who had need of a bathroom.
I would have liked to have seen St Mungo's, but I see how that would be a really expensive set for something that wasn't as necessary to the movie. And I highly doubt they could have gotten Kenneth Branagh to reprise Lockheart for such a bit part. I would have liked to have seen the heartbreaking scene with Neville and his parents, though.
I'm sure there is more I will want to say, but I'm taking a break for now.
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