Obligatory Movie Post

[westernredcedar]

Hi all!
So, I had no real interest in seeing the movie the first weekend, but then I had the opportunity to be baby-free today and so decided to take the plunge and see DH. My various spoilery thoughts are under the cut:

So, you may nor may not remember that I ended up very sad and disappointed by DH as a book, and that feeling has gotten worse over time. The point is, I went into this movie with very low expectations; I usually dislike the movies, and this was even a book I disliked. Amazing news to report, however- I actually liked this movie. It addressed and improved some of my complaints about the book, as if the screenwriters tried to reconcile some of the most ill-thought out parts, and acted as the editors that did not seem to exist for JKR with the book. Yay screenwriters! Also, the speed of a movie actually helps move along the tedious camping. And though I was opposed to making the book into two movies, the pacing was right for the first time since movie 3. Now I wish they'd made two movies for all of the last few books.

Holy death eaters! I've never been that interested in the DEs, but the way the featured DEs were cast and given personality that they did not have at all in the book (in the book they all ran together for me as just evil generic dude) made me want moviecanon!DE fic like now. Yaxley! That Snatcher gang! Even Thicknesse! They were all intriguing. Yaxley! Terrifying Bellatrix FTW, and I liked seeing Voldemort as a character at last. I even got real shivers many times, which is a first for me at HP movies. Related note: If I'd seen this movie as a child, I would have had nightmares for years.

Also, hubbahubba Grindelwald! Dumbledore, I see why you fell for this guy...

Other things I loved: Lovegoods, the polyjuiced Ministry workers, BILL, and the twins. Oh god, Bathilda. Terrifying. Also, cheers to the screenwriters for making the big deal of it it would be for Hermione to obliviate her parents. That was the only thing that made me cry.

A few things didn't work for me: Ron's visions from the horcrux were too cheesy for me, even though cool in effect. And I still don't get why as wizards, the trio can't have a more pleasant camping trip- you know, conjure up some better furnishings, food, heater, etc, and that was not fixed here. And I still get zero chemistry between Harry and Ginny in book or movies. This movie confirmed my love of Harry/Luna though, oh yes indeed. Also, I would have killed for an albino peacock to make an appearance, but you can't have everything.

I was hearing blpaintchart's voice throughout the film from her DH film script (and real life) which made the whole thing even more fun. When the doe patrinus showed up, all I could imagine was Chart's Harry saying "I wonder who sent Bambi’s Mum to me? Someone who is fashioned entirely from awesome, yet is comfortable with a very girly Patronus, I reckon."

I want to write more Charity Burbage fic- she was very much like I imagined her, which made her death extra tragic.

So, DEs +, peacocks -, Bill +, Ginny -, Yaxley +++, camping ---
...hmm, I'll stop while the movie is breaking even. I'll enjoy seeing it again, and I'm now actually (a little bit) looking forward to part two.

Actually, no I'm not. I just remembered all the bad things that will happen in part two. *sigh*

Comments

[islandsmoke.livejournal.com]

I KNOW! An overwhelming number of interesting men! Even Yaxley. And the Snatchers - leather trousers, tall boots, long hair, frockcoats = swoon.

I, too, am liking the movie better than the book. For now. I am not looking forward to all the bad stuff in the next movie either. Or to the fact that it will be over. But the movies have certainly grown up, haven't they? Nightmares indeed! Bellatrix!OMG!

There is so much fine acting talent in these movies, it really kind of boggles.

And Bill! OMGYES! Is it coincidence that the man the editors of Playwitch picked to represent Bill five years ago is the man that is cast to play him? I didn't realize that until I googled images of the actor and came up with one of the worksafe ones from the PW spread. He came on screen and I was, "That's him! That's just as I imagined he'd be, and OMG he's hot!" I wonder how much of that hotness is from the fact that his face is the one I associate with Bill whenever I read Bill!fic. *hee*

Grindewald makes me totally inarticulate.

So, yeah. I liked it too, even without the peacocks. ;) Loved the animation of 'The Tale of Three Brothers.' Thought that was inventive. And the camping trip was not overwhelming. There was more chemistry between Ron and Hermione this time, I thought. Certainly more than between Harry and Ginny. Heck, there was more chemistry between Harry and Draco in that one scene than between Harry and Ginny. *snerk*

I'll be going again Tuesday. *nodnod*

[westernredcedar.livejournal.com]

Oh I loved the animation on "The Three Brothers" too! I forgot about that. That was gorgeous. It reminded me of this amazing French film that one of the teachers at my school shows every year.

Glad you liked it too. I was talking with someone else a while back that it would be a laugh if the worst book (in my opinion) became the best movies. I'm holding back judgment until the end, but I like the start...

[xanthophyllippa.livejournal.com]

(Deleted and re-added because I has teh dumb.)

Is blpaintchart's script open to the hoi polloi somewhere? I'm now feeling consumed by the need to experience what is clearly itself fashioned entirely from awesome.

[westernredcedar.livejournal.com]

Hi hon!
I'm not sure. I sent her an email about it, but she closed up shop and left fandom a while back. We're still in touch, but I'm not sure she'll want to open her stuff back up. I thought her fic was still linkable, so I apologize to get you interested and then not be able to share. :( Bad me.

[xanthophyllippa.livejournal.com]

I think I can forgive you. :D Glad to see you back on my flist!

[bk7brokemybrain.livejournal.com]

The most memorable scenes for me were both the Manor scenes. I had gasps and goosebumps the whole time. "Nagini.... Dinner." Lucius was a hot mess, and watching him be emasculated so painfully by Voldie was GLORIOUS. My nipples a still hard from it, I swear. And OMG, Harry on his knees for Draco, with Bellatrix pulling his hair. The DEs were the best part of this one, yessiree.

I'll be in my bunk.