[HPFGU-Movie] My OotP Review

[Jade B]

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  I do have a few quibbles, though. It took my husband and kids awhile 
to figure out that Dudley was the person Harry was talking to in the 
play park in the beginning. I suppose they should have referred to 
him as something other than "Big D" for the non-book readers.
   
  I have to agree. Even for some who have followed the films didn't 
  realize that was Dudley all grown up. 
  

It doesn't make sense that Harry should be tried before the 
Wizengamot for breaking the International Statute of Secrecy for 
producing a Patronus charm in a deserted tunnel when broom-riding 
wizards pass within inches of tour boats on the Thames!
   
  I don't think their broom stick ride was of concern. Wizards and witches 
  have a way of concealing themselves even out in the open. In the book 
  I think all they did was put out the lights and rode on their broomsticks 
  (with the exception of Harry of course who was wearing his cloak in 
  the book) and Dumbledore did a similar thing only dowsing the lights 
  when he comes to pick up Harry in book 6.
  

I think they should have either left out Tonks and Shacklebolt, or 
taken a few seconds to explain that they're Aurors working from 
inside the Ministry to help out the Order. Also, it was confusing to 
have Tonks change her facial appearance while neglecting to explain 
that she's a Metamorphmagus. And I was dying to hear Tonks say "Both 
buttocks still on?"


  Oh yes. I do wish there was more to Tonks. My only hope is perhaps in
  the cut scenes in the DVD.
   
  
They never said the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix was 
located at Number 12, Grimmauld Place, yet Dumbledore orders Phineas' 
portrait to Grimmauld Place after Arthur Weasley is attacked. 
   
  I could see how that can be confusing. Ron and Hermione explain 
  the house they are in is headquarters but I do not recall anyone saying
  it was the Grimmauld place. Later on Sirius explains that he leant his
  house for headquarters as well but no mention of Grimmauld.
   
  My husband was quite confused by all of this - he wasn't clear on 
how/why Arthur was attacked and how he was saved. I don't think they 
did enough to explain that Voldemort was possessing the snake at the 
time of the attack, that the Order was standing guard in front of the 
door to the Department of Mysteries (which is why Arthur was there in 
the first place)
   
  I don’t think that was meant to be explained. Dumbledore had asked
  Harry if he was watching the attack or seeing it from a perspective. I do
  not recall ever an explanation that Voldemort was the snake at that time.
  Harry thought he was the snake. 
   
   
   
  and that the Hogwarts headmasters have portraits in 
more than one location that they can move between (which is how they 
were able to find Arthur and save him). 
   
  Yes I thought that was skimmed over and just needed a simple
  explanation.
   
  I also don't think it was clear why Voldemort was so obsessed with 
  retrieving the prophecy in the first place, since they never explained 
  that he attacked Harry on  the basis of hearing only the first half of the 
  prophecy. 
   
  I was disappointed with the ending between Dumbledore and Harry.
  I felt it should have been there.
   
  They also never explained that only the people to whom 
  the prophecy refer can left the record from the shelves, which explains 
  why Harry had to be lured to the Hall of Prophecy to retrieve it.


  Actually Lucias explains all of that to Harry and the D.A. when they
  appear to retrieve the prophecy. 
  
I didn't like that they turned Cho into the one who betrayed the DA. 
If they're going to make up new characters such as Nigel, why not 
instead include real characters such as Marietta? It makes much more 
sense for Marietta, with her Ministry mother and lack of desire to be 
part of the DA in the first place, to be the sneak.
   
  I think they were simply looking for the quickest way to separate Cho
  and Harry before the next film.
  

I didn't think the Occlumency scenes were handled well. Having Harry 
seated and wandless made him look as if he was just taking whatever 
was being thrown at him without attempting to fight it. And while it 
would have been fine to show the memory of Harry's father tormenting 
Snape via Harry breaking through Snape's mind rather than by entering 
the Pensieve, it didn't make sense for Harry to be a part of the 
memory. And I thought that part went by too fast, and didn't explain 
how Harry was distraught after seeing how his father treated Snape. 
I also think they lost another opportunity to build on Snape and 
Harry's hatred of one another, and how Harry is convinced Snape 
hasn't really changed sides.
   
  I whole heartedly agree. I feel this is going to reflect poorly in the next
  film as Harry’s suspicion of Snape increases in book 6 which ultimately
  leads to Dumbledore’s death and Snape’s reference of being 
  extremely talented in Occlumency.
  


I didn't like Lucius Malfoy smashing the prophecy rather than 
Neville. I think there's a significance to Harry and Neville being 
the only two to hold the prophecy, and that it relates to the fact 
that the prophecy could have initially referred to either one of 
them. But the movie left that part out as well.
  It seems to me they wanted to turn away from that and 
  give more character and bravery to Neville in this one.
  I noticed that quite a bit in the film.

I thought Dan Radcliffe did a good job. He's come a long way as an 
actor. I thought Evanna Lynch was good, too. I like how she 
skipped, rather than walked, everywhere she went. Emma Watson needs 
to slow down her dialogue. When she was explaining the complexities 
of Cho's feelings after the kiss, I couldn't understand a word of 
what she was saying. 

Just my two knuts.

Cheers,
Phyllis
   
  I definitely agree. Some parts were hard as Emma talked so
  fast in explanation. Just slow it a bit and I think it would
  be just fine. Hope you don’t mind my comments. You pointed
  out very good views from the film.
   
  Jade

       
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