Harry Potter Review

Ok so I've seen it twice now and this movie has got some serious problems. I can not FATHOM why the critics were so generous wait scratch that ON THEIR KNEES PRAISING this movie.

First off, the good parts:

1. The music; easily the best of the non-John Williams scores. Except I didn't like that the actual movie didn't include some of the best bits.

2. Small Character Moments: It was nice all the little bits that were added in. Minerva McGonagall had some of the best like at the end with her offering to talk with Harry. Hermione and Harry really showed just how good friends they are. Ginny (more on her later) desperately holding on to Harry after Dumbledore's fall. Slughorn's story about Lily and the fish. Stuff like that may not have been in the book but it was all a welcome addition.

3. The whole cave scene was practically perfect. I wish Dumbledore had warned Harry not to touch the water to make his decision to go down to get water from there was a bigger issue for Harry.

4. Slughorn. Different than the book (sorta like Umbridge) but I liked him nevertheless.

5. ARNOLD. Even though his screen time was brief; at least he got it. Tell that to Pigwidgeon

6. Dumbledore; even with a few flaws; easily Michael Gambon's best portrayal of the character.

7. Snape and Malfoy; Major props to Alan Rickman and Tom Felton for raising their game.

8. Hermione / Emma Watson; easily the break out star of the trio for this movie.

9. Bellatrix - Helena Bonham Carter - Need I say more. Oh and that PERFECT unbreakable vow scene.


Ok the issues and there are several.

1. WHY IS A 20 SOMETHING YEAR OLD HITTING ON A 16 YEAR OLD. Um that's illegal I believe.

2. The exclusion of a LOT of the memories. This makes me wonder how they'll set up the Hufflepuff cup and Ravenclaw diadam (not to mention it not being seen in the Room of Requirement). Also no explanation on how Dumbledore knew it was in the cave. Just lots of "it's dumbledore, he knows and can do anything, hell he can apparate on school grounds. Not like he needs to go to the Three Broomsticks or anythin... oh wait he DOES HAVE TO IN THE BOOKs. But anyway that's slightly forgivable.

3. Harry saying everyone had to try out to be on the team again ... what was Ginny exempt? favoritism makes a captain look bad.

4. TOO much Hormones; made the movie drag, and feel awkward. And honestly Lavender was a bit too over the top. Bellatrix? Over the top in a good way.

5. The destruction of the burrow. Um did we need that. Ok we needed action but really what's stopping the Death Eaters from waltzing in and killing all the Weasleys? Looks like nothing at all.

6. Ginny. Ok first of all I have NO problem at all with Bonnie Wright's portrayal. I feel that she just didn't have enough. And really how are we to believe at the end of Book 7 that they married. What? Just based on that INCREDIBLY SHORT KISS that was shorter and less passionate than his kiss with CHO? I was so looking forward to Harry just having a girlfriend for part of the movie. OH and Harry? Ron's ok with it. Oh good to know. Would have meant more coming from him of course.

7. Dumbledore's death. Wait Dumbledore died? Oh well


...


WTF THIS IS THE ONE GUY VOLDEMORT WAS SLIGHTLY SCARED OF AND HE'S GONE. WTF ARE PEOPLE GONNA DO. WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN TO HOGWARTS, THE ORDER, HARRY. WTF

There was none of that panic that made the situation feel so much worse than just losing a great character. No funeral. That I can take but at least give me Hagrid cradling Dumbledore's body. Or McGonagall at least looking more upset than shocked. I'm just gonna end by saying that I think the aftermath of Cedric's death should not have been more somber and sad than the aftermath of Dumbledore's death.

8. Harry you need us and can't do this without us. Because you're just not smart enough. Hermione was a bit too harsh on Harry here and Harry put up no fight. Book-Harry was so much more concerned about the safety of his friends. It's why he temporarily put him and Ginny on a break. It just didn't feel real and didn't give the urgency and hopelessness of Harry's task ahead of him.

Weird weird movie. They've put themselves into somewhat of a corner for Movie 7 and 8. I hope they get out of it. I have faith they will.

But for not this is probably my second to least favorite movie (chamber being last; Azkaban being first, Order being second).

Till next November