It was a blissful Sunday night(yesterday) when I went to the theater eagerly anticipating the new Harry Potter movie. Luckily, the theater was not overly packed, and I sat down with my family to watch an interesting, but flawed movie.
Firstly, the negatives. Those who have read the novels will notice inconsistencies and omissions. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is known for its flashbacks intended more to explore Lord Voldemort's past than to resolve some conflict or pursue some hidden truth. In fact, the Harry Potteresque plot involving Draco Malfoy being 'up to something' is not only revealed early on (as opposed to being kept mysterious), it's relegated almost to subplot status. In this movie, numerous flashbacks are omitted. Certain information key to the next movies' plot is left out, but by no means all of it.
Secondly, the ending. The vast majority of the action is omitted. However, I considered this a good thing, as the 'excitement' was slightly convoluted in my opinion; but I feel this is a minority opinion, and thus is included in the negatives. Certain key subcharacters to this 'excitement' are better left to the notoriously dark seventh novel; at least the living embodiment of this 'excitement' managed a cameo appearance.
Thirdly, while the novel certainly has its fair share of romantic interaction, the movie seemed intent on translating every last scrap of it to the big screen. In the novel, the presence of the teenage romance is diluted by the vastness of the novel itself. In a movie where everything else is condensed, this makes the recreations have distinct prominence. There is immense comedic value to be had from the numerous instances of teenage romantic blundering, but the 'feel' of the 5th, 6th and especially 7th are intended to be extremely dark. Numerous instances of romance could've been omitted for the sake of atmosphere.
Now the positives!
Numero uno is Tom Felton, the actor responsible for Draco Malfoy's translation to the big screen. His acting eclipses the feeble attempts of the other child stars, though the three main characters have developed quite a chemistry together. I see an actor who could easily break through his Harry Potter days into mainstream acting.
Secondly is the 'cave scene'. The entrance of certain creatures is masterfully done. The tension is literally tangible. ... Okay, I admit it: I jumped.
Thirdly is the fellow who portrayed Professor Slughorn. The nuances of the character are fleshed out wonderfully by the talented actor.
Fourthly is the 'death' scene. I'm not going to spoil it. Just know that it is very nicely done.
Fifthly is Bellatrix. Could anyone have found a better actress to portray this crazy chick?
On a final note, despite my concerns regarding its content and overly compressed nature, I do feel it was one of the best movie adaptations in the Harry Potter universe.
7/10
It was a blissful Sunday night(yesterday) when I went to the theater eagerly anticipating the new Harry Potter movie. Luckily, the theater was not overly packed, and I sat down with my family to watch an interesting, but flawed movie.
Firstly, the negatives. Those who have read the novels will notice inconsistencies and omissions. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is known for its flashbacks intended more to explore Lord Voldemort's past than to resolve some conflict or pursue some hidden truth. In fact, the Harry Potteresque plot involving Draco Malfoy being 'up to something' is not only revealed early on (as opposed to being kept mysterious), it's relegated almost to subplot status. In this movie, numerous flashbacks are omitted. Certain information key to the next movies' plot is left out, but by no means all of it.
Secondly, the ending. The vast majority of the action is omitted. However, I considered this a good thing, as the 'excitement' was slightly convoluted in my opinion; but I feel this is a minority opinion, and thus is included in the negatives. Certain key subcharacters to this 'excitement' are better left to the notoriously dark seventh novel; at least the living embodiment of this 'excitement' managed a cameo appearance.
Thirdly, while the novel certainly has its fair share of romantic interaction, the movie seemed intent on translating every last scrap of it to the big screen. In the novel, the presence of the teenage romance is diluted by the vastness of the novel itself. In a movie where everything else is condensed, this makes the recreations have distinct prominence. There is immense comedic value to be had from the numerous instances of teenage romantic blundering, but the 'feel' of the 5th, 6th and especially 7th are intended to be extremely dark. Numerous instances of romance could've been omitted for the sake of atmosphere.
Now the positives!
Numero uno is Tom Felton, the actor responsible for Draco Malfoy's translation to the big screen. His acting eclipses the feeble attempts of the other child stars, though the three main characters have developed quite a chemistry together. I see an actor who could easily break through his Harry Potter days into mainstream acting.
Secondly is the 'cave scene'. The entrance of certain creatures is masterfully done. The tension is literally tangible. ... Okay, I admit it: I jumped.
Thirdly is the fellow who portrayed Professor Slughorn. The nuances of the character are fleshed out wonderfully by the talented actor.
Fourthly is the 'death' scene. I'm not going to spoil it. Just know that it is very nicely done.
Fifthly is Bellatrix. Could anyone have found a better actress to portray this crazy chick?
On a final note, despite my concerns regarding its content and overly compressed nature, I do feel it was one of the best movie adaptations in the Harry Potter universe.
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2 comments:
Wow Rina! Yey we actually gave it the same score! I gave it a 7 too. I was just a bit really disappointed that there was NO battle scene and NO funeral. I swear that funeral would have been a tearjerker but I did like the raising of wands. I would have wanted to replace some of the awkward "romantic" scenes, the chase at the burrow cornfield (swear, why did they even put that >_<) and the ending scene to fit other more important scenes. GOsh and no BILL? Or Fluer? Sad :( howell... it was a nice film though :p Nice blending!
Hindi ko pa napanuod HP eh.. hehe ewan d ako fan, pero madami nadisappointed hnd ko alam why.. hehehe
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