MOVIE: Comparisons 2

[Geoff]

No: HPFGUIDX 191147

Geoff:
I have just returned from another 50 mile round trip to see DH2 
for the second time and decided to  make some further comments 
because I find that on a second visit, other things usually catch 
my eye.

Let me start by saying that I generally felt more satisfied than the 
first time round. On balance, I felt that the section of the film 
corresponding to chapters 33-35 were quite well done. The 
"Princes Tale" section omitted a reasonable amount but it was not 
material that was absolutely vital to the action. And I have to 
admit that, putting aside all my dislike of Snape, the scene where 
he dies was very good. You could see Harry's dislike beginning to 
ebb away and the thing which he told Voldemort to try - compassion -
showing. One little extra in the scene which was outside the book 
but I thought helped was Snape with Lily's body. You could see 
Harry re-processing all his feelings about Snape during and 
after this scene and the Pensieve section. Interestingly, since 
when have Pensieves floated in the air?

I though the use of Imperio in Gringotts was turned almost into a 
comedy scene with the victims displaying silly grins and I had to 
feel a pang of sympathy for the dragon.

But again, it is the last scene that i am finding the biggest problem. 
On a second viewing, it seems to be worse. Harry drags Voldemort 
off the tower and we see this line of some which has been used to 
represent Apparition going all over the place with glimpses of the 
two locked together apparently crashing through walls and buildings 
before the crash landing. I have always understood Apparition to 
be performed from a specific Point A to a specific Point B; you can't 
change direction en route...

And the final, final confrontation. The duel is interrupted when 
Neville kills Nagini inside the school, Harry casts another spell but 
Voldemort just seems to stand there without doing anything before 
he disintegrates. As I remarked earlier, it seems vaguely reminiscent 
of Quirrell's death in PS and of a scene in Star Trek: Nemesis.

Perhaps in future I shall have to watch the film to the end of Kings 
Cross and then reach for the book.
:-|

Two final thoughts. I was surprised when Harry, on a couple of 
occasions, referred to Voldemort as "He who must not be named" 
when, in contrast, McGonagall rather tartly tells Flitwick to use 
his proper name.

The other. I think I actually appreciated the stripped-down epilogue 
with only Harry's conversation with Albus about Slytherin surviving.