Seeing OOTP

[susanbones2003]

--- In HPFGU-Movie at yahoogroups.com, "bgrugin" <bgrugin@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Snipped!
> > > MusicalBetsy:
> > > I usually am very disappointed the first time I see one of the 
HP 
> > > films (snipped) Then after watching the DVD's, I tend to like 
> them more and more (probably because I become more accepting of all 
> the things that have been left out).  The same thing happened with 
> OOTP - I really like it now.  So, go and ahead 
> > > and give it a chance!
> > 
> > > > 
> > > MusicalBetsy, glad to see you back, Jen!
> 
> Hi MusicalBetsy and all,
> I just finished the Order of the Phoenix and it was as I expected. 
If 
> I'd not read the book, I'd never have understood the film, as 
> expected. But as I said earlier, it was not tedious! I found parts 
of 
> POA tedious, mostly the running around in the woods, holding hands. 
> But this moved like a freight train, not completely out of control 
> but with a tremendous head of steam. I think that worked against 
> Umbridge though. With her, the unrelenting nature of her attack 
> really served to make Hogwarts a horrible place. The breakneck pace 
> of this film lessened her impact. But still she was pink and 
> horrible! What a collection of ugly pink articles of clothing! 
> Ponchos, capelettes, tweedy pink suits, ack! I may never wear pink 
> again! And as Richard has said some 2 years ago, DA was given its 
> due. If any part of OOTP would be the focus, that would be my 
choice. 
> I missed a lot of things I didn't think were the central focus of 
the 
> film but would have been so nice. Ron and Hermione getting their 
> prefect pins was a sad ommission. As was the lack of the Swamp.  
The complex tensions Harry experienced that year wouldn't have 
translated well. His isolation over the summer, not getting the 
prefect position, being ignored by Dumbledore, the fear/fascination 
with his dream, knowing somehow he had a connection with LV, some 
were hinted at but mostly ignored. In a roller coaster ride, you 
don't have any time for detail. But I can imagine there's no vote for 
a long and ruminative film about a 15 year-old in permanent capslock. 
So, to the end. Sirius' death, somehow not as monumental in 
visualization as I would have liked. The book did it better. But 
Harry's reaction was tremendous. I thought it right. I did love that 
the powers-that-write-HP-scripts saw fit to allow all those warm and 
sincere hugs between the boy and his god-father. I thought to myself, 
counting Hermione's hug, they were only  the 2nd and 3rd he's ever 
gotten.  Previously, we've rarely gotten to see any affection, Molly 
Weasley's hug was sorely missed in Goblet. To see Sirius give Harry 
an extremely affectionate hug, and see Harry  want it, respond in 
kind, that was very compassionate of the writers. You don't have to 
have physical contact to love deeply but it's a useful thing in a 
visual medium. And that physical contact made Sirius' death much more 
poignant, real. The possession scene was complex and I thought, up to 
the challenge. I was so hopeful it wouldn't go by the wayside. And 
they weren't put off by the fact that it was awkward and uncinematic 
to see someone writhing on the floor. The inter-cutting of all those 
images made it work well. I know you all must have mourned that Harry 
wasn't allowed to dismantle Dumbledore's office. I know I did. But on 
the whole, the ending was much more satisfying than the previous 
film. Sorry I am coming to the party so extremely late. I really 
don't expect anyone to read this old news! But it makes me feel good 
to say it, even if it is never read!
Jen D. (back at the party, watching OOTP for the 2nd time!)