Steve's GOF movie review - spoilers

[LunaLovesHarry at aol.com]

Hi,

Before I give my opinion I want to make a comment about something.  With all 
the 'pre-released' teaser scenes and trailers, did anyone feel like they could 
sit at their home computers, download them all and then edit the movie 
together?  I mean, we'd loved the trailers, but I was starting to feel like I 
wouldn't have to spend my $10 to see it with all the marketing that was being done 
by WB ... all I'd have to do is assemble the movie at home!  And, as I watched 
the movie yesterday, in some ways, it was like watching a re-run as we'd seen 
soooo many of the scenes already.

Anyway ... I saw the movie yesterday and can only echo Steve's remarks.  (see 
below)  I was really struck by how the trio has mastered/matured in their 
acting abilities.  There was a real sense of them owning their roles, they were 
relaxed and it was well acted.  Especially Dan and Emma.

I am curious to hear reviews from people who have not read the books.  I 
think they will be lost, as Steve said.  A reviewer for cnn.com who is an HP book 
and movie fan, called it disjointed and I have to agree.  If you haven't read 
the books you won't have the background, you won't understand certain scenes 
or why things happen.  I felt a bit that way and I've read the book several 
times.

I missed the hospital scene at the end.  And, I missed the scene with the 
Weasley's landing in Dursley's blocked-up fireplace!  That was a LOL moment in 
the book!

Michael Gambon ..... well, he's a great actor, but he DOES NOT get 
Dumbledore.  I was disappointed in his interpretation.  He should have been directed 
differently.

Victor Krum ... WOW!  I agree with you Steve, he has major screen presence!  
I was really impressed by him.  I'm hoping Jo brings him back in 7 so we get 
to see Stan again.

And Neville ... I was touched by his performance in the sad moments, and I 
still laughed at him in the funny moments ("I killed Harry Potter!").  I too am 
looking forward to OoP and watching Neville grow.

Brendan Gleeson ... excellent casting!

Miranda Richardson ... excellent casting!  But what happened to her animagus?

I am going to go and see it again.  With all the pre-release anticipation I 
think my anxiety levels were too high in the theater yesterday to have truly 
appreciated each and every scene.  Plus, I felt like I'd already seen so much of 
it.   Next movie, I won't watch so many of these 'exclusive' trailer/scenes.

Elizabeth




STEVE'S TAKE:

> Just saw the movie and it was very good. The Three tasks of the
> Tournament were very good although they changed the story slightly.
> Part of the problem with the movie is not so much the story they told,
> but the fact that everything moved so quickly. The arrival of the
> competing schools was very good, but it lasted mere seconds. 
> 
> Further, I agree that if you don't know the story, you'd be somewhat
> lost. In order to cut time from the film, great leaps in plot are
> made. For example, when Harry finds Crouch in the woods, he's really
> just out for a stroll, sees Crouch by a tree, and we are immediately
> back in Dumbledore's office. I understood the intent of that, but I'm
> not sure people who haven't read the books can figure it out. 
> 
> Key points- 
> 
> The Quidditch World Cup is VERY short, but the Quidditch stadium is
> spectacular.
> 
> Harry/Dan does an excellent job of emoting underwater. His reactions
> are very clear. A task that I'm sure is extremely difficult under the
> circumstances.
> 
> The scenery of the Scotish country side is also stunningly spectacular.
> 
> All characters show a much greater range of emotions than in any of
> the previous movies. They have all really been given the chance to
> show what they can do, and come through spectacularly. Really, I think
> everyone will not just be pleased, but actually very impressed at the
> level of improved acting by every single character, but of course,
> most especially by the primary actors.
> 
> I like the change to Neville's story in the movie. I'm a big Neville
> fan, and I think he comes off exceptionally well as both a character
> and as an actor. I can't believe that anyone will have a problem with
> these changes since they show Neville in such a positive light. I
> can't wait to see Neville in OotP.
> 
> Stan/Viktor has an amazing stage presence. He doesn't have many lines,
> but I think he may have the potential to be a good character actor.
> Really, he commands the screen whenever he is on it.
> 
> Now to the most critical character, Michael Gambon. I was really
> afraid that Gambon as Dumbledore couldn't make the transition from
> whimsical to ferocious, but, like all the other actors, he does an
> excellent job at displaying a range of emotions, and Gambon has a much
> bigger part in this movie, so we really get to seem him take on the
> role of Dumbledore.
> 
> From Gambon's performance, it is clear that he is an excellent actor
> with an excellent range, and as a (figuratively) generic actor playing
> a (figuratively) generic part, he does a corrospondingly excellent
> job. But it is clear that he really doesn't understand his character,
> nor do I think Mike Newell understands Dumbledore since it is
> ultimately his responsibility to make sure the character is portrayed
> accurately. In one particular scene, Gambon/Dumbledore shows
> significant anger toward Harry; something Dumbledore would never do in
> just that way. 
> 
> Of course, lots of parts of the story were changed, other character's
> roles and responses were modified for the movie, and I can easily
> accept that, but this one scene of Dumbledore's anger at Harry really
> was disjointed. It simply didn't fit with Dumbledore.
> 
> I guess he has the role for now, and Gambon really is a good actor,
> that can't be denied, and further, he is likely in it for the long
> haul since they probably want as few major character cast changes as
> possible. I can accept him in the role, but seriously, I don't think
> he 'gets' Dumbledore at all.
> 
> Just a few thought, and hope I didn't give too much away. 
> 
> steve/bboyminn



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