Nitpicks..was visual depth

[Gary Sapp & Karen J.S.]

--- In HPFGU-Movie at yahoogroups.com, "alice_loves_cats" 
SNIP
 Cuaron did an excellent job in  not for a moment letting things get
boring. It's exactly why I am able to watch it over and over and over
and have yet to get bored in  ANY place at all. 
> 
> But the landscape etc is breathtaking. I think I would go back and 
> watch again simply to see that beauty again.
> 
> Alice

I completely agree about the scenery, it is wonderful, wild and wacky.
It catches your breath, especially in the Buckbeak flight sequences,
the feeling is expansive and joyous. It is more like the view I had
pictured in my mind, remote and untamed. I don't understand why so
many people are being so critical about this aspect.  The first two
movies had plenty of little nigglets that didn't correspond exactly to
the text.  I thought the Whomping willow was too close to the school,
it doesn't work being right outside the main entrance to Hogwarts. 
POA wouldn't work if the WW is in plain view of the castle, someone
would see the second Harry & Hermoine and spoil the whole premise.  
Same thing with Hagrid's hut, I liked it being away from the school
rather than right on the front lawn of the castle.  It just seems to
be more in character of the story and gives him space for Fang to roam
and have room for a real garden.  The Whomping willow provided some
laughs and transitioned the change of seasons too.

As for the dispute about whether a movie should be the same as a
book, here is my take on the matter.  I think it is a given that a
film is an adaptation of a story.  John Irving wrote the screen play
for Cider House Rules because he knew that certain things do not
translate well from the printed page to the movie screen (he had some
experience with this -World according to Garp).  I heard JKR say she
views this as Cuaron's vision of her story and was happy with it. 
Which helped me relax a bit about it, I actually went in expecting it
to be different and I think it helped me enjoy it more, if that makes
any sense. 

I believe it is easier to see a film first then read the book because
you have no preconceptions and can enjoy the film.  I remember when I
first saw Gone with the Wind, I was truly lost in the story.  It
wasn't until I read the book that I discovered all the subplots and
characters that didn't make the cut.  With Harry Potter, I have read
the books multiple times so I know that it can't compare with the
internal movie in my imagination.  I had my reservations about this
version because I so love this story, I wasn't thrilled with the
thought of Gary Oldham as Sirius but I managed to let go and follow
the rollercoaster ride.  It was fast and furious but funny, scary and
inventive.

I have enjoyed it so much I have seen it 3 times and plan on going
again this week.  I remember being excited about the first one, so I
saw it 3 times but Cos only twice.  I thought the ending in it
flattened the punch of the confrontation with Mr. Malfoy and Dobby
being freed.  None of them have been perfect but I do so feel like I
am "there" in this one, I actually feel I can get lost in the action
and just enjoy it.  I am sorry that others have so many problems with
it, but it may get worse with GoF-cramming it into one film is going
to mean drastic cuts.  But we have a while to wait for that one, so go
and enjoy Prisoner of Azkaban now while you can...it is great

Karen