My review...at long last

[harpdreamer]

Doug and I went to see PoA today (it's our anniversary) and both of 
us really enjoyed the movie...

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Doug remarked when the movie was over 'I felt I was watching a film, 
not a movie!'  The cinematography was very well done, I thought.  It 
felt more like I was there, not just watching a movie.  (And Scotland 
is *so* gorgeous!)

I'm with everyone else on the hippogriff--where did they find one? 
The CGI was much, much improved (think they learned something from 
LotR?)

The script was much better too--maybe Kloves has finally learned to 
write ;) 

I cried in a couple of places, knowing what fate awaited Sirius 
(still haven't forgiven Jo for that one).  I didn't find the crying 
and the speeches sappy at all, although I do think that Dumbledore's 
speech about those we love are in our hearts a little out of 
character for Sirius.  I still liked it. And when Harry cries after 
finding out everything in Hogsmeade, to me he sounded like a kid 
trying *so* hard not to cry. 

I was a bit bothered by the non-explanation of the relationship 
between Snape, Sirius, Peter, & Remus, but I also felt that there was 
a very subtle hint in the scene where Snape catches Harry out of 
bed.  The way that Severus & Remus interact (almost over-civil to 
each other--complete with clenched jaws) clued me in.  I also spoke 
to a friend who hadn't read the books & she said the relationship was 
understandable.  

Unlike a lot of you, I liked the flying scene with Harry & Buckbeak--
it's not often that Harry gets to just be a kid, without a worry in 
the world & I thought that scene was rather refreshing & showed that 
for all the weight of the (Wizarding) World on his shoulders, he's 
still a boy.  

I really enjoyed the music too--less 'I'm John Williams bombast'--a 
lot more nuanced.  The jazz was a nice touch for Remus. 

I really wasn't sure what to expect from Thewlis & Oldman, never 
having seen them act.  I must say I'm impressed, even though they 
don't *quite* match my vision of Remus & Sirius.   I thought Thewlis 
showed Remus' fear of getting too close to Harry (which I think is in 
the books).  I picked up on the kindness in their talks.  He seemed 
to me to be weary, but trying hard not to show it.  

Loved Gambon!  We finally have a Dumbledore who's not going through 
the motions--and he twinkles!  Also loved Emma Thompson--she took a 
part that would have been very easy to play as a characture & did 
very well.  

Somebody *please* send Tom Felton to acting class.  Whoever said that 
he should stick to fishing is right, although I did think he was 
better in this one.  

And Daniel, Emma, and Rupert just get better and better.  Emma seemed 
a whole lot less nervous (I think she's finally discovered her inner 
Hermione).  The essays really seemed to make a difference in their 
understanding of the characters.  

I was disappointed that we never find out who sent Harry the broom & 
Pig to Ron. 

Parker