Harry Potter
Jul. 23rd, 2007 11:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dreamflowerWe ended up picking up our Deathly Hallows after all, and not only that, but we also went to see Order of the Phoenix. In spite of the declaration on the marquee out front, we apparently saw the same version the rest of the world did, LOL! (That's my only HP icon by the way; ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
danachan made it for me.
Order of the Phoenix movie (cut for spoilers)
I have to say that I enjoyed it a good deal. Umbridge was perfectly nasty and spine-chillingly twee! The three main actors have truly grown into their roles, and in scenes with the three of them together, they had the ease of true friendship down beautifully. Neville's another who has grown a good deal as an actor; his transformation from the nerd of Harry's year into a potential hero in his own right is going to be very believable. I really *loved* the young actress who played Luna. She was quite brilliant in the role, playing that wide-eyed look not as "one brick shy of a load" but as "space cadet"--in other words, she seemed to see the world in wide-eyed wonder, and notice things that simply escape the more "rational" sorts. Even though it was not in the book, I adored the scene of her and Harry playing with the thestrals. I also liked movie-Grawp better than book-Grawp.
I was very glad to see that they chose to have Daniel Radcliff tone down the screaming ALL-CAPS Harry of the book; he was mildly annoying in print. I think he would have been next to unbearable on screen.
On the other hand, I was vastly disappointed in the lack of scenes with the other Hogwarts teachers--how I'd have loved to have seen the book-scene with Umbridge "inspecting" McGonagoll's classes! And the scene with Trelawney in hysterics was sadly underplayed. And the script was full of holes, and the editing choppy. Partly, I suppose, because of the amount of material that needed covering--but when I consider how much better adapted the first three movies were (GoF suffered from too much cutting as well) I'm wondering if they don't need a new scriptwriter for the next two.
Book seven: Deathly Hallows also cut for spoilers
This was like all the rest, a pageturner. JKR kept things moving at a very fast clip. There was a good deal to love in this.
I loved the parting of the Dursleys and Harry. It's "The End" for them, and it was good to see that Dudley had finally been hit with a clue-stick. It gives one hope for Dudley. As for Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, I only regret that they did not get some sort of "come-uppance". Vernon Dursley is one character I have always heartily loathed (even worse than Lotho Sackville-Baggins, who previously topped my chart of fictional scumbags.) and if he'd been a Real Person TM, I would have loved to have called in the Muggle authorities on him for his abusive treatment of Harry. Imagine him trying to explain to the British version of DHS why he's keeping his wife's nephew in a cupboard under the stairs! (RSF, if you are reading this, you will now know why I loved your "Another Snape Meets the Dursleys" so much!)
I didn't expect the promised "blood-bath" to begin so quickly! Hedwig and Mad-Eye took me completely off-guard. (Although I do understand why Hedwig had to go early on--Harry had to be deprived of her while they were on the run.)
The atmosphere at The Burrows was so perfect: a little island of domesticity under siege, still trying to perform its function under the most stressful of conditions.
Snape becoming headmaster under Voldy's regime was a completely unexpected and yet brilliant stroke! The revelations of his early life and that of Dumbledore were more than a little interesting; Snape being in love with Lily was expected; Dumbledore's early life was not. Also, I had *almost* figured out Snape's and Dumbledore's reasons for Snape killing Dumbledore.
I loved Ron destroying the locket--it was almost Arthurian (and I'm sure *that* was quite deliberate on JKR's part) in how they came upon the sword. I knew at once the doe was connected in some way to Lily, though I was surprised by the eventual explanation of *why*!
Neville Longbottom=Fredegar Bolger! That was truly my first thought, when he came to reveal the homefront resistance at Hogwarts! And how brilliant it was, that *he* got to destroy Nagini--clearly, Harry was not the *only* Chosen One in the prophecy!
Loved Molly taking out Bellatrix! Molly rocks!
Hated Fred being sacrificed. But I'm glad Hagrid lived. Was completely shocked at *both* Remus and Tonks being killed, and not only that, but being killed "offscreen" and with no explanations. Glad that McGonagall and most of the other teachers survived. *Especially* glad Hagrid survived; he's the one I had pegged to die ever since she mentioned that a "key" character would bite the dust in the last book. (I'm wondering if he's the one she'd *meant* to die who got to live.)
And Harry's own death and return to life--that was so sneaky, and a way for JKR to have her cake and eat it too! I won't call it cheating, because I honestly think she'd had *that* particular bit in mind from the get-go. It was very right: "King's Cross" station, indeed!
I've heard a lot of folks are disappointed in the Epilogue. I'm not. Even though I don't want to write it myself, I can easily see the scope of possibilities for fanfic in those missing nineteen years--quite as fertile ground for HP fans as the seventeen years between Bilbo's leaving and Frodo's are for LotR fans.
Some things I'd like to see fanfic writers explore: the careers of HP, HG, and RW--what did they choose to do with their lives after Hogwarts? Did they return and go to school for their final year? (I am quite sure that whatever Harry or Ron would do, Hermione certainly would have.) If they did, what would that year have been like? How did the couples get together? Who did Luna end up with? (My guess would be Neville.) And how did George cope with Fred's loss? Did Fred decide to hang around as a ghost and bug everyone like Peeves? Or is there a portrait of him around somewhere? Percy--how will he cope, as he tries to make amends to his family for his defection? What happened with Draco and the Malfoys? What do Dumbledore's and Snape's portraits find to say to the new head? (I was greatly surprised to see that Lucius Malfoy did not get killed in the battle! That was something I really *did* expect to see.) And what about the Dursleys--I think it would be so funny if Harry ends up with a little first cousin once removed at Hogwarts.
Anyway, it's been a great seven books. She accomplished everything she set out to do, and then some. Thanks, JKR, for a great ride.
danachan made it for me.Order of the Phoenix movie (cut for spoilers)
I have to say that I enjoyed it a good deal. Umbridge was perfectly nasty and spine-chillingly twee! The three main actors have truly grown into their roles, and in scenes with the three of them together, they had the ease of true friendship down beautifully. Neville's another who has grown a good deal as an actor; his transformation from the nerd of Harry's year into a potential hero in his own right is going to be very believable. I really *loved* the young actress who played Luna. She was quite brilliant in the role, playing that wide-eyed look not as "one brick shy of a load" but as "space cadet"--in other words, she seemed to see the world in wide-eyed wonder, and notice things that simply escape the more "rational" sorts. Even though it was not in the book, I adored the scene of her and Harry playing with the thestrals. I also liked movie-Grawp better than book-Grawp.
I was very glad to see that they chose to have Daniel Radcliff tone down the screaming ALL-CAPS Harry of the book; he was mildly annoying in print. I think he would have been next to unbearable on screen.
On the other hand, I was vastly disappointed in the lack of scenes with the other Hogwarts teachers--how I'd have loved to have seen the book-scene with Umbridge "inspecting" McGonagoll's classes! And the scene with Trelawney in hysterics was sadly underplayed. And the script was full of holes, and the editing choppy. Partly, I suppose, because of the amount of material that needed covering--but when I consider how much better adapted the first three movies were (GoF suffered from too much cutting as well) I'm wondering if they don't need a new scriptwriter for the next two.
Book seven: Deathly Hallows also cut for spoilers
This was like all the rest, a pageturner. JKR kept things moving at a very fast clip. There was a good deal to love in this.
I loved the parting of the Dursleys and Harry. It's "The End" for them, and it was good to see that Dudley had finally been hit with a clue-stick. It gives one hope for Dudley. As for Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, I only regret that they did not get some sort of "come-uppance". Vernon Dursley is one character I have always heartily loathed (even worse than Lotho Sackville-Baggins, who previously topped my chart of fictional scumbags.) and if he'd been a Real Person TM, I would have loved to have called in the Muggle authorities on him for his abusive treatment of Harry. Imagine him trying to explain to the British version of DHS why he's keeping his wife's nephew in a cupboard under the stairs! (RSF, if you are reading this, you will now know why I loved your "Another Snape Meets the Dursleys" so much!)
I didn't expect the promised "blood-bath" to begin so quickly! Hedwig and Mad-Eye took me completely off-guard. (Although I do understand why Hedwig had to go early on--Harry had to be deprived of her while they were on the run.)
The atmosphere at The Burrows was so perfect: a little island of domesticity under siege, still trying to perform its function under the most stressful of conditions.
Snape becoming headmaster under Voldy's regime was a completely unexpected and yet brilliant stroke! The revelations of his early life and that of Dumbledore were more than a little interesting; Snape being in love with Lily was expected; Dumbledore's early life was not. Also, I had *almost* figured out Snape's and Dumbledore's reasons for Snape killing Dumbledore.
I loved Ron destroying the locket--it was almost Arthurian (and I'm sure *that* was quite deliberate on JKR's part) in how they came upon the sword. I knew at once the doe was connected in some way to Lily, though I was surprised by the eventual explanation of *why*!
Neville Longbottom=Fredegar Bolger! That was truly my first thought, when he came to reveal the homefront resistance at Hogwarts! And how brilliant it was, that *he* got to destroy Nagini--clearly, Harry was not the *only* Chosen One in the prophecy!
Loved Molly taking out Bellatrix! Molly rocks!
Hated Fred being sacrificed. But I'm glad Hagrid lived. Was completely shocked at *both* Remus and Tonks being killed, and not only that, but being killed "offscreen" and with no explanations. Glad that McGonagall and most of the other teachers survived. *Especially* glad Hagrid survived; he's the one I had pegged to die ever since she mentioned that a "key" character would bite the dust in the last book. (I'm wondering if he's the one she'd *meant* to die who got to live.)
And Harry's own death and return to life--that was so sneaky, and a way for JKR to have her cake and eat it too! I won't call it cheating, because I honestly think she'd had *that* particular bit in mind from the get-go. It was very right: "King's Cross" station, indeed!
I've heard a lot of folks are disappointed in the Epilogue. I'm not. Even though I don't want to write it myself, I can easily see the scope of possibilities for fanfic in those missing nineteen years--quite as fertile ground for HP fans as the seventeen years between Bilbo's leaving and Frodo's are for LotR fans.
Some things I'd like to see fanfic writers explore: the careers of HP, HG, and RW--what did they choose to do with their lives after Hogwarts? Did they return and go to school for their final year? (I am quite sure that whatever Harry or Ron would do, Hermione certainly would have.) If they did, what would that year have been like? How did the couples get together? Who did Luna end up with? (My guess would be Neville.) And how did George cope with Fred's loss? Did Fred decide to hang around as a ghost and bug everyone like Peeves? Or is there a portrait of him around somewhere? Percy--how will he cope, as he tries to make amends to his family for his defection? What happened with Draco and the Malfoys? What do Dumbledore's and Snape's portraits find to say to the new head? (I was greatly surprised to see that Lucius Malfoy did not get killed in the battle! That was something I really *did* expect to see.) And what about the Dursleys--I think it would be so funny if Harry ends up with a little first cousin once removed at Hogwarts.
Anyway, it's been a great seven books. She accomplished everything she set out to do, and then some. Thanks, JKR, for a great ride.
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no subject
Date: 2007-07-24 05:49 am (UTC)Yes, exactly! Over the last couple of books, Neville has become my favorite character. I really love the way he's grown from the clumsy doofus of first-year to the resistance leader of seventh-year.
About the Weasleys...someone made a comment somewhere (don't remember where or who, sorry!) that they thought Percy would help George with the business in Fred's absence, healing the family rift and redeveloping his relationship with his brother. I really liked that idea!
Also, yes, Molly Weasly channeling Ripley from Aliens kicked all kinds of booty. :)
no subject
Date: 2007-07-24 12:15 pm (UTC)I can see Percy helping George, but no one's going to be able to take Fred's place. I do hope that Fred decided to be a ghost, and hang around and wait for his brother at least...and let's face it, Fred could give Peeves a run for his money...
You Go Molly!!
no subject
Date: 2007-07-24 10:25 am (UTC)And as for the book, I agree with a lot of what you said. I also thought she'd kill off Hagrid, and as it is, I almost thought she did a couple of times! Regarding Luna, did you notice that there's a mention of her and Dean heading off to the battle hand in hand? I wonder if that's supposed to imply that they're a couple...
no subject
Date: 2007-07-24 12:19 pm (UTC)I still think she may have *planned* to kill off Hagrid. Remember she said in an interview that one character got a "reprieve"? I think it was him. (Why else would he have been named "Rubeous"?) Which is why a red-haired Weasley had to die, to fulfill the "red" requirement of the story arc.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-25 04:09 pm (UTC)Of all the deaths, I think Tonks and Lupin hit me the hardest. So, so sad. And Fred--well, it was like when you hear someone you know has lost a child. You just don't believe it for awhile, you know?
I LOVED the Epilogue! God's in his Heaven, all's right with the World. And little Albus Severus is one little heart-stealer! I loved seeing them all again, even Draco--and can you BELIEVE he named his child Scorpius?? Old habits die hard, I guess....
no subject
Date: 2007-07-25 04:58 pm (UTC)There really *are* a lot of parallels between Neville and Freddy! Both of them start out as a part of the group, but are shunted to one side of the action; both of them undergo trials by evil; both of them end up leading the resistance on the homefront, and suffer for it! On the whole, I think Neville comes out for the better--we do get to see some of his future, and his truest heroic act gets to occur "onscreen" so to speak, while all of Freddy's heroics are told after the fact. But there are a lot of similarities!
Fred's death seemed a bit surreal. I still think he was sacrificed in the place of Hagrid, as the "red" element that needed to die. (And I am very glad Hagrid didn't die, don't get me wrong!) But I can't imagine him going quietly, nor can I imagine him leaving George behind--I would bank on him being a ghost!
no subject
Date: 2007-08-05 09:39 pm (UTC)I enjoyed Ron and Hermione getting together finally.
I loved the fact that Percy saw the err of his ways and returned to the family.
I enjoyed McGonagil.
Loved Neville and his gran.
Loved Molly in battle.
Loved Snape for his courage.
Loved Luna.
Loved Flur and Bill.
Found the Goblins very interesting.
Hated the relationship between Lupin and Harry in this book.
Was sorry Lupin had ever married Tonks as I never cared for that character.
Came to dislike Dumbledore a great deal by the end of the book.
Was very upset at the death of Fred Weasley.
Didn't like the meeting with 'dead Dumbledore' in the train station at all.
Missed Arthur Weasley who does almost nothing in this final book.
Was relieved that Sirus was not brought back to life.
Was relieved that Hagrid didn't die.
Was relieved that Ron didn't die.
Oh, and did you notice that Harry's son Albus Severus Potter's initials spell ASP? Parsel tongue anyone?