GoF Reduction Discussion

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 104477

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "rzl46" <rzl46 at y...> wrote:
> I was thinking last night about Goblet of Fire and its upcoming 
> movie.  I'll apologize if this is deemed off topic, but I don't think 
> it will be.  We were allowed to discuss the PoA movie here for a few 
> days, and I think most of us would agree that there is some 
> significance to what scenes from the novels are included in the 
> movies.  How much significance is to be debated.  But we have all 
> wondered why JKR insisted that, for instance, James not be included 
> in the opening shots of PS/SS.  So, my proposal is this: if we, as a 
> group, can reduce GoF to its most essential scenes--the ones that 
> must be shown to tell the story--MAYBE we will be better able to 
> appreciate the extras that are thrown into the movie.  And maybe 
> we'll have more fun reading significance into those bonus scenes.  If 
> they are going to present GoF as one movie, they'll have a lot of 
> cutting to do.  Obviously the graveyard scene will be included.  The 
> Triwizard tournament will have to be included, but I'm not sure all 
> of the tasks will be in there--personally I'm voting for the lake 
> task to be cut.  What else?
> 
> MaggieB--who really thinks this could be an interesting discussion if 
> people will give it a shot


Carol:
I hope the second task *isn't* cut. First, it would make the golden
eggs pointless. Second, it would eliminate part of the cooperation
between Cedric and Harry and make Cedric's death less poignant. Third,
we wouldn't see poor Percy publicly showing his concern and affection
for Ron, the real Percy showing through, IMO. 

What can we cut instead? Most of the Quidditch World Cup scene (though
of course we have to have Winky and the Dark Mark), the Hogwarts
Express, most of the Cho Chan nonsense (sorry--don't like the girl),
as much as possible of SPEW, the weighing of the wands, even Rita
Skeeter. We already know from articles posted on the Internet that the
Dursleys will be cut.

IMO, they MUST keep the Dark Mark, the Goblet of Fire ceremony, all
three tasks, the graveyard scene, and the transformation/confession of
Barty Jr. They SHOULD keep the introduction to the Pensieve, the
Unforgiveable Curses, the return of Padfoot, the madness of Mr.
Crouch, and Dumbledore sending Snape off on an unknown dangerous
mission. I *hope* they keep Fred and George growing beards after tehy
cross the age line, Draco the bouncing ferret, and the Yule Ball sequence.

Anything and everything else is probably expendable. I'm sure not
everyone will agree. Okay, no one will agree on all points. But no
eliminating the second task, even if that would spare us exposure to
Dobby the House Elf. Besides, it will be fun to see Harry fighting off
the grindylows and silently arguing with the merpeople and Viktor Krum
half-transformed into a shark. And the second task demonstrates
Harry's hero complex, which will be all important in OoP.

Carol