List of Improvements on the Book

Cindy C. cindysphynx at home.com
Mon Nov 26 20:08:03 UTC 2001


Marcus wrote:

> 
> (1) Fluffy's origin.  It always bothered me that somebody from 
Greece 
> shows up in Scotland with a gigantic three-headed dog.  The 
> logistical nightmares that entails boggles the mind.  Where was the 
> MoM?  It makes more sense for somebody from Ireland to have him.  
It 
> might even be an Irish bloke living in Scotland.  Yes, yes, I am 
> fully aware of Cerebus, or whatever his name was.  But Centaurs 
> aren't exactly standard British mythology either.

A wholeheartedly agree.  I'd add that it makes more sense to me that 
Hagrid would trust an Irish stranger, and it makes more sense that 
the stranger is Irish if the stranger is really supposed to be a 
disguised Quirrel with Quirrel's accent.  

 
Marcus again:

> (2) Norbert's fate.  It makes more sense for Dumbledore to step in 
> and take care of Norbert.  I've had a very hard time swallowing the 
> idea that Draco Malfoy would sit on such a juicey piece of 
> information for more than a week and not try to take advantage of 
it.

Yes.  It troubled me that Hagrid, the adult, lets a bunch of kids 
risk injury and risk getting caught out of bounds, essentially 
letting them take the rap for him by not speaking up about who is 
responsible for the dragon.  Having Dumbledore take care of it is 
much better.  

Marcus again:

>> (3) The end of the quest.  It has always bothered me how quickly 
> Dumbledore arrives on the scene.  Just how did he get through all 
the 
> obstacles so fast?  If he had a back door, the bad guys could 
easily 
> find it and use it.  If only he could use it, then what use is all 
> the obstacles.  Just seal the passages up and be done with it.
> 
> As it is, he showed up "in the -- TA DA! -- nick of time."  In the 
> movie, Harry collapses and he is found at an unspecified time 
later.  
> This makes far more logical sense.  

I also like the elimination of the potions challenge.  Are we really 
to believe that, if they get the logic wrong (or if the person 
setting up the challenge gets it wrong), Harry will gulp poison or 
catch fire walking through the flames?  
 

I'd add a few more examples of improvements:

(4) The snake scene makes more sense without the "Amigo."  Having 
Dudley trapped behind the glass was a nice touch.

(5)  Wood's pre-Quiddich talk to Harry in the movie is much better 
than the book version.  In the book, it is quite flat.  It is 
essentially "OK.  This is the best team we've had in years.  I know 
we'll win.  Good luck." 

(6)  The movie provides a compelling motivation for Hagrid to give 
Dudley a pig tail, i.e. Dudley was behaving like a pig by stealing 
the cake.  This comes out of nowhere in the book.  Worse, it comes 
off as though Hagrid is either punishing Dudley for the sins of his 
father, or punishing Dudley for being overweight.  Not nice.

(7)  Chocolate frogs being alive is much more cute.

Cindy





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