POA Movie - view from a non-reader

[Theresa]

> Wednesday, July 7, 2004, 8:20:39 AM, blackgold101 at y... wrote:
> 
> > She said by far, POA was 
> > the best one.  She too had no trouble following, and found the
> > locations of the Whomping Willow and Hagrid's Hut, without reading
> > the books, to make more sense.  She can't wait for the next one 
and
> > would actually like the POA DVD for herself when it comes out
> > (November, by the way).
> 
> Just a general note about non-readers enjoying the movies:
> 
> I'm sure it's quite possible and not very surprising,
> really.
> In fact, I think it might be easier to enjoy it, if you
> haven't read the books, since for one thing, you don't
> *know* anything important is missing.
> Consequently, you can't get upset about it ;)
> 
> The movie has simplified a lot of the story, and taken out a
> ton of background, so I don't think it would be hard to
> follow the storyline that POA presents, but nobody can tell
> me that non-readers actually got the connection between
> Harry's stag Patronus and James, or that Lupin's friends
> became animagi to be with him during his werewolf nights.
> (and many more details)
> 
> Also, the non-readers may enjoy the characters'
> personalities as presented in the movie, but I'm 100% sure
> they have a very different view of them than the book
> readers.
> 
> -- 
> Best regards,
>  Susanne

Theresa:
Susanne, you have a valid point. Though my HP addicted sons and I 
(who am also obviously addicted) absolutely loved POA, my husband who 
I deem a muggle and he doesn't mind since he has figured out why I 
call him that, did indeed ask me afterwards about the stag. He 
thought it was cool but did not understand the significance. He loved 
the movie and has not read one single HP book but has seen all three 
movies and thinks this was the best one. He thought the first two 
were a bit childish. He also took for granted that the map was just 
something Lupin would know about. As for the anamagi background - he 
had the advantage of our sons and I discussing them on the way to see 
the movie. We were wondering what Padfoot would look like and talking 
about Wormtail so he already knew that the 3 became animagi to be 
with Lupin. However, we left off what James was, hence why he asked 
about the stag. His only confusion other than that was the Dementors. 
He thought they were sucking the souls out without touching a person. 
He did not understand how first you get cold, then start hearing bad 
memories and only if the Dementor 'kisses' you do you lose your soul. 
He still thought the special effect was cool, he just miss understood 
what they were doing. So yes I do think some of the non-readers did 
miss somethings but I do not think it made the movie less enjoyable 
for them. And I think if you asked a non-reader who hadn't seen POA 
yet about the first two films, they would have a different 
perspective on a few things as well. For example my husband thought 
Semus was the klutzy, and a not very good wizard. He got confused 
when Neville was standing up to the trio and even said 'who is that? 
I don't remember him.' He had other things in both films that he 
asked me about but that was his main one. Anyway, that is how the non-
reader in my family viewed the films so I guess I am saying IMHO 
Susanne has a valid point.

Theresa