Harry Potter

Am I the only person in the world who's not excited about the movie?? I've seen all the others, and have actually counted down the days until they opened. But this time around, it's all just a bit ... meh. Perhaps it's because the books are finished so I know how it all ends - and maybe in my mind I'm kind of 'done' with HP. I don't know, but I probably won't even bother going to see it. 

I agree with most of these comments about too much romance and not enough plot.  The next movies are going to have some huge holes to explain away. 

Spoiler: show

Plus, I really don't get the beginning in the cafe or the part where the Burrow burns.  Stupid and pointless.  Why do people make changes like that?  I understand that they have to cut things, but if they didn't add dumb stuff then there'd be more room for important plot points.

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I read online that the part about the burrow burning was put in to save time instead of showing Voldemort/death eaters terrorizing other students' families and that it was thought it would be more powerful if Harry actually experienced it himself.  Lame.  I kinda thought the diner scene was cute and didn't waste too much time since it was only a couple minutes, except for Harry stupidly reading The Daily Prophet there.  That's got to be against the rules!

I'm not that bothered about this film.  I love the books and the first film but I think they have got steadily worse and worse.  Prisoner of Askhaban was my favourite book and I think the film destroyed it.  I suppose I'll see this at some point, but I'm not going to rush.

Vicky

Am I the only person in the world who's not excited about the movie?? I've seen all the others, and have actually counted down the days until they opened. But this time around, it's all just a bit ... meh. Perhaps it's because the books are finished so I know how it all ends - and maybe in my mind I'm kind of 'done' with HP. I don't know, but I probably won't even bother going to see it. 

I kind of agree.  I'm gonna go see it on Wednesday, but that's because my SIL is geared up for it & arranged a group of her friends to go see it & invited me.  Meh, Orange Weds & "time off".    

But on the other hand its always interesting to see how the movies are portrayed and what book facts they alter.  You have your favorite parts of each book and can't wait to see them on the big screen (if they make it).  Sadly my favorite from the Chamber of Secrets was ruined by Hollywood using Argus Filch instead of Snape to catch them sneaking into the school / Great Hall!   :\\\'(

I'm a rabid HP fan.....and my only comment after walking out of the movie this afternoon was "Do. Not. Want.".  I was very disappointed in the directions the film went in, the extra scenes added (though, I've had that issue with all the HP movies), and the parts missing.  I don't see why we need the extra scenes when they cut out REALLY IMPORTANT BITS

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And don't get me started on the H/G storyline. I'm a diehard H/G fan, and they barely mention it at all in the movie! 

I forgot what else I wanted to say...Tim's here and I got distracted

I adore the HP books, and I do enjoy the films, too.  But the only reason I'm able to enjoy the films is by thinking of them less as actual stories, and more as 'highlights reels' of the books.  I get to see some of the good scenes played out by genuinely talented actors, with lovely sets, props and special effects.  It's the icing on the cake.

I pretty much gave up on the films telling the actual story after Prisoner of Azkaban, and (no offense to anyone who hasn't read the books) I feel really sorry for people who've only seen the films.  They're missing out on so much!  And I have no idea how, even split between two films, they think they'll manage to have the series end in the way it did in the books.  It seems to me they've already backed themselves into a corner by leaving out details in films 5 & 6.

Well, I just saw it today, and I
LOVED IT.

Perhaps because I've trained myself to not read the book again so close to the film coming out, though I've been listening a little bit on audio.
In any case, I got thoroughly involved, and surprised myself by becoming much more sympathetic for Draco,

Spoiler: show

and even quite emotional over Dumbledore's death.

I am curious to see what they will explain in the next installment (like Dumbledore's hand?), and... I totally forgot that SNAPE is the Half-Blood Prince (can someone remind me why?  He wasn't a half-blood... was he?)

I tried to train myself after hearing all the criticisms of Lord of the Rings, not to read the books beforehand, or if I do, read them well in advance of the film's release and have no expectations.  
So while some questions came up in my mind, I did really love it.
Personally I would have loved to have seen more of the Weasley's Joke Shop!  But I know that's not in the book either.  I love those two.

P.S. - it took me a few minutes to adjust to seeing how grown up they all are!  Particularly Malfoy and Ron!

I adore the HP books, and I do enjoy the films, too.  But the only reason I'm able to enjoy the films is by thinking of them less as actual stories, and more as 'highlights reels' of the books.  I get to see some of the good scenes played out by genuinely talented actors, with lovely sets, props and special effects.  It's the icing on the cake.

I agree wholeheartedly.  To expect movie versions to mirror books exactly is setting oneself up for massive disappointment.  You have to separate the two, pure and simple.

Honestly, there is a LOT in the books that doesn't need to be on the screen.  And, yes, I've been bummed that certain bits I like didn't make it, but nothing that's been cut is absolutely necessary to the basic story.  And that's exactly what the movies are - the basic story.  When you track exactly what it essential in explaining how we get from Point A (a baby on the doorstep of No. 4, Privet Drive) to Point Z (the end of Deathly Hallows), there's a lot that can be left out.

Well, I just saw it today, and I
LOVED IT.
 

Spoiler: show

I totally forgot that SNAPE is the Half-Blood Prince (can someone remind me why?  He wasn't a half-blood... was he?)

Spoiler: show

Snape's a half-blood. His mother was a witch, and her last name was Prince, therefor: Half-Blood Prince. see: http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizards/snape.html for more

I adore the HP books, and I do enjoy the films, too.  But the only reason I'm able to enjoy the films is by thinking of them less as actual stories, and more as 'highlights reels' of the books.  I get to see some of the good scenes played out by genuinely talented actors, with lovely sets, props and special effects.  It's the icing on the cake.

Totally agree.  They're movies.  And kids movies at that.  I really enjoyed it.  But then I just really go to HP movies expecting it to tell the basic story and to see how they show the magic.
Except for the theatre full of screaming die hard 'fans'.  I could have done without that.

Except for the theatre full of screaming die hard 'fans'.  I could have done without that.

Yep, die hard fans make my skin crawl.

Except for the theatre full of screaming die hard 'fans'.  I could have done without that.

Ugh, absolutely.  They should have special screenings for the scary fans so the rest of us can enjoy the movie without the shouting/screaming/squealing.

Yet another reason I refuse to have anything to do with all that Twilight nonsense.

Yet another reason I refuse to have anything to do with all that Twilight nonsense.

Ditto. Although Robert Pattinson is lovely. But I don't need to subject myself to insane fans to look at pictures of him. 

Saw the movie, and I was underwhelmed.

Give me the Stephen Fry Audio books over a movie any day!