Miscellaneous and Probably Boring Thoughts on Harry Potter
Bart and I went to see the final Harry Potter movie on Friday evening (thank you, 2-for-1 movie tickets on Fridays with a Visa signature card).
In many ways, I thought it was the best of the movies so far (I feel like the movies have been somewhat uneven), and probably would have continued to feel so if they hadn’t taken so many (stupid) liberties with the ending of the movie.
Spoilers, I guess, if you happen to care about Harry Potter enough to be bothered by spoilers, but not enough to have read the books and know how things happen.
I thought Neville’s killing of the snake was seriously weakened by the way they made it play out. The book really let Neville have his moment of glory and I wanted to see it.
And having the weird fight between Harry and Voldemort? Lame. And just the two of them dueling in the courtyard with Voldemort dissolving? A let down. The book has it so much better, with a full audience, and Harry’s explanation to Voldemort about the wand (much better to have the explanation before it really happened), and then the curse rebounding.
Plus, no moment with the three main kids in Dumbledore’s office, where Harry repairs his wand and puts aside the Elder Wand? And no cheering from the portraits on the wall? No Dumbledore weeping with pride and joy? You wanted me to be happy with a wand snap on the parapet and a quick explanation of Malfoy’s wand? Wrong. I will be disappointed.
Also, because I am a very shallow and horrible person, I find myself totally disturbed by the fact that Ginny is taller than Harry.
End of Spoilers
I reread all of the books last winter, and I have some very happy memories of snuggling my nursing baby in the my in-laws’ basement, reading the British versions of several of the books, with the space heater next to my feet.
I realized when I read them, that, despite having seen all the movies, the books are so separate and distinct in my mind that I do not imagine the movie characters or movie sets when I read the books. I still so clearly remember my own Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The Great Hall looks far different than the book one does and Snape is less old than Alan Rickman.
And for that, I’m glad. Although the movies are fun, the books are really where it’s at for me, and I’m glad the movies haven’t taken that from me.
Haha! It has always bothered me that Ginny is taller! I agree that the characters in the book are not the characters in the movies, and that has always bothered me. But as we discussed (I think), the characters as read by Jim Dale? Spot on.
North Meets South
Ok, but watch who you are calling old. I kinda have a thing for Alan Rickman. Did I just admit that? Not as Snape of course. . . Hmm… maybe I should just withdraw this comment.
I much prefer the books to, they are "where it's at." I enjoyed the movies, but like you I already had a complete world in my head and the movies weren't capable of shifting it despite the cool effects.
Am I really the only person who noticed that there ARE people watching when Harry and Voldemort duel? Sure, not the whole crowd, but there are witnesses.
I just don't understand how people are calling Voldemort's final demise anti-climactic. I thought it was very climactic, at least more than him falling over dead and being shoved into a side closet like he was in the book (I admit that has a nice sort of mortality and finality to it, but I always felt THAT was anti-climactic).
Also, I'm really tired of all the "THE BOOKS ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE MOVIES!!!" whining. Of COURSE the books are better, the movies were never meant to replace or surpass the books, just to complement them as adaptations. When people have unrealistic expectations for ANY book-to-film adaptation, they will be disappointed. They had to make these movies for both fans of the books and non-readers. Can you imagine the pressure to adapt such beloved stories and make them accessible for people who haven't read the books? I think they've done a fantastic job from start to finish.
And yes, Bonnie is taller than Dan (most people are), and she also has about one-tenth the personality Ginny has in the books, but I can overlook even that. 🙂
I haven't seen the final movie yet (I plan to soon!) but I'm a HUGE fan of the series in general.
I personally adore the books and think that the movies were well done. Perfect? No, but as good as you can get for such a detailed series. That's why I wanted my boys (almost 10 and 11 yrs) to read the entire series before seeing the final movies. There were so many minor storylines that were left out (Firenze more notable storyline, Hermione's S.P.E.W …) and the books explain the Deathly Hallows and the horcruxes more clearly.
For me, the movies (especially the earlier movies) represented exactly what I imagined in my mind when I read the books (ie Diagon Alley, Hogwarts, characters …). I think it's because Rowling's descriptions were so vivid.
That said, I do agree that Voldemort's demise was pretty dull compared to what I was expecting but I'll forgive Rowling for that flaw. 😉
It's sad to see the series end but I can't wait to see the final film. Right now my almost 10 year old needs to see the 7th movie before we go out to see the last movie.
I also did a farwell to Potter post if you're interested. Like I said, big fan here. 🙂
Ditto! Loved the books. Like the movies. I both liked and hated the final movie. It was fun, but there were some parts in the book that I loved that they totally re-wrote. Bummer. Oh, well….I still have the books!
Ah! It totally bugged me that Ginny was taller than Harry!
I think it is perfect than the books remain by far the better choice! I did enjoy this movie as much as the others…and I enjoyed it at the midnight showing with my husband and teenage children. I loved all the people who came out in costume to celebrate!
i've never read the books, but i've seen the all the movies a million times. i'm sure the books are way better and i'm missing out on a lot.
this may be a dumb question, but i didn't really get the thing about harry's mom and snape boh conjuring a deer. snape was doing it and pretending it was his mom? they're the same because they were such good friends and snape was still in love with her? for a second i thought they were trying to say that snape was harry's real dad. haha.
and seriously, they shoulda put heels on harry's shoes for the one kissing seen.