Question for Pre-Nov 2001 HP Fans (Movie Spoilers)

[hedwigstalons]

--- In HPFGU-Movie at yahoogroups.com, Taykimson at y... wrote:
<snip>

> Anyway...the movies introduced me to the books.  Azakaban is the 
> first movie in which I had read the book prior to seeing the 
> movie...and I was quite dissapointed.  For those who had read PS/SS 
> and CoS before seeing the movie, how did you feel initially - where 
> you happy with the adaptation?

I read the books (several times) before I saw the movies. 

In PS/SS I was disappointed with a few of the items that were left 
out: the other two centaurs with their cryptic remarks ("Mars is 
bright tonight"); Dumbledore's take on death ("...the next 
adventure"); Charlie's "jolly bunch" of friends who take Norbert; 
that Neville isn't on detention with them; how there was more focus 
on Seamus than on Neville; and WHY the hell are the Slytherins in ALL 
of the same classes with the Gryffindors?. But, overall I loved how 
it captured the enchantment Harry felt about the Wizarding World, and 
I am able to watch it over and over.

COS maintains the visual beauty of Hogwarts, yet it feels choppy - 
like there is always action happening and no lulls between scenes. 
The flying car scene is ridiculous, as is how long the spiders chase 
the boys. I like how the whole Tom Riddle thing is handled, and 
Gilderoy Lockhart is handled well too(and even though Kenneth 
Brannagh has the chutzpah to play his character, I don't think he'd 
really be attractive to 12 yr. old girls in his classes - don't send 
me Howlers on this now!!); I like how we get a glimpse of herbology. 
I'd love to see more of what happens in class - esp. Potions!
It always feels too long though, and for me to watch it all without 
falling asleep during part is hard - if there were more canon in it 
and less "movie" effects, the movie would flow better. And why did 
they EVER cut the scene in Knockturn Alley out of the movie? It's 
brilliant! (I liked on TV that they added it in a couple of weeks 
ago.)

POA - I love the colors and that they're outdoors more.

WHAT HAPPENED TO WINNING THE QUIDDITCH CUP??????????????????????

I think that a lot was left out that makes this book the best of the 
series as far as plot twists goes. Things aren't explained well, or 
by the right people. Why didn't we see more of our dear Snape?????

I did love the scene with the 3rd yr. Gryffindor boys eating 
the "animal noise" candy. I thought it was a lovely touch to see them 
young and innocently having a bit of fun. It's how dorm life would be 
at times, and it was a nice addition.

The dear twins (becoming foxy young lads, eh?) weren't allowed near 
enough screen time - their characters are HILARIOUS!!! and it would 
be nice to have more of that.

Trelawney - awesome. Although she said the prophecy WRONG!! I read it 
as a foreshadowing of the plot twist in GOF with Crouch. The way it's 
said in the movie doesn't give that.

Not enough of the anger between Ron and Hermione and how she's 
cracking up under the strain of studying.

I realize it's impossible to translate everything from a book onto 
the screen, but I wonder how much from the books that is being left 
out is important?

What's up with Lupin's speech about Lily? Where did Cuaron get all 
that from, eh?

I did enjoy the film, and will need to see it again to absorb it all.

Who was that other kid with Draco? It's always Crabbe and Goyle in 
the books, and it wasn't in the film. Grr. . . 

HedwigsTalons