[HPFGU-Movie] Thoughts on my first viewing

[Katze]

I, too, am new to books (and to this group). I saw the movie first, and thought, "That's what these books are
about?" I promplty went home and read all four back to back. I was really taken away with the story.

Nicky wrote:

> I am one of those people who saw the movie before Id touched the
> books, so please allow me to share my thoughts with you from that time.
>
> Re. Radliffes acting: I thought some of his lines were clunky and in
> the beginning he was wooden, especially Im a what? But having the
> read the book, on hindsight I realise thats a line which would be near
> impossible to make smooth and, well.

I've enjoyed Radcliffe more each time I see the movie (3 now). Although he might be slightly wooden in the earlier
scenes, he loosened up a bit. I think he was a nice pick for the character. Daniel has a very hard task though.
Because Harry is a very intricate character. Especially being so young, he's not sure what to make of things. It
would be nice to see Harry with more of the happy moments in the books. (Haha..not sure there are any of Book 4)

> Re. The Put-Outer scene: I thought it was a great way of introducing
> the whole magical aspect of the scene. It wasnt over-the-top sparks,
> or something so subtle you couldnt see it.

Agreed.

> Re. Stereotypical Jewish goblins, or something to that effect: maybe
> its my nave, ignorant youth, but I didnt pick up on any stereotyping
> so.

I didn't pick this up either...

> Re. Seamus and Neville: Truth be told, I didnt notice Seamus during my
> first viewing (but I paid special attention second time round). I liked
> how he kept blowing things up and having read the books admit that he
> did steal Nevilles limelight. I thought the boy who played Neville did
> him brilliantly. He looked so troubled when standing up to Harry and
> co., and completely bewildered when he won the extra 10 points. You
> could tell he wasnt used to such praise and attention.

I think Neville did good job, but he didn't have many parts to begin with. Seamus was fine, but he didn't have that
kind of attention in the book.

> Re. Dumbledore: I thought he was a very convincing, kind Headmaster,
> but the one in the book is much friendlier.
>
> Question: what are these circumstances that Richard Harris had to act
> through which made his depiction of the character only just acceptable?

I much prefer Dumbledore in the books. The circumstance around Richard Harris, in my opinion, is that he refuses to
read the books. He says it's not his type of reading. But I would think you'd need to read the books to understand
the character. He wasn't as warm and inviting as I see Dumbledore in the books. He was good in the hospital scene
though. That scene is what I expected D to be like. Perhaps he'll wamr up a bit in future movies. I'm under the
impression that he signed a 7 movie contract with WB. To get the part, he had to sign.

> Re. Hermione: I thought Watson was extremely nervous on screen, so her
> accent was really posh, but she was in all respects the bossy
> know-it-all with no friends.

She was a bit over the top in the beginning, but mellowed as the movie went on. Was the posh accent really her's,
or was it played up for the movie?

I've been watching Radcliffe and his voice...and there are some parts that, I guess, they filmed last. Example:
when Harry is talking to Hagrid about the dragon and Fluffy, and when he meets up with Quirrell. His voice is
starting to crack. I've been trying to find pictures of him at the beginning of filimg and at the end of filming to
see how much he changed. I did find an interview of him after the premiere of the moive, I guess near the start of
filming CoS, and he has grown *alot*.

I hope that WB does the right thing and stick with the original actors. I think the kids will be ok...espeically
once they reach 14-15.

> I definitely prefer the onscreen Hagrid to the book Hagrid, because he
> was kinder and dumber on screen, but I prefer the book Dumbledore to
> the onscreen Dumbledore. But the movie cant be as bad as some of you
> make out, because it got me reading the series and I havent willingly
> picked up a book in 6 months!

 I enjoyed Hagrid and Ron the most. After reading the books, I think Robbie Coltrane was the most true to
character. Ron was just real. I personally thought Rupert delievered his lines with ease, and did so with the right
amount of emotion.

Take care
-Katze