Even though I'm writing on the same day as my previous entry, I have decided to divide up my entries by subject, as the blog automatically divides them by dates anyway, and when I look back on my entries I am more likely to look for a particular subject than a particular date.
Anyway, I have seen a LOT of films lately. It's fantastic actually, as I watched shamefully few last semester. Anyway, I saw Harry Potter on the 15th of July in Wellington.
I am a big fan of the Harry Potter books, so I always tell myself not to expect big things of the films, however there is always a niggling hope inside me that the next film will be amazing and satisfy me for once. Once again, that's how I walked into this film. Unfortunately, I was disappointed, as usual.
I do have to say, there were some excellent things in this film. I really like the actors playing Hermione, Ron, Professor McGonagall, Bellatrix, and most of the Weasley family (except Ginny). I also liked the humour in this film; the books are very funny at times too, and it was nice to see the film take on that characteristic. I REALLY liked that, for once, the director really used the shots to tell the story. The framing and movement were really dynamic and interesting to watch. It was pleasing to the eye and the camera wasn't just a static window into the world but a real participant in the story. Very cool camera work.
On the down side, the director seems not to understand the story properly. I hate the way they put so much emphasis on magic in the films, especially at the start. Slow motion, twinkly sound effects, swoopy camera movements... please! One of the best things about the world of Harry Potter is that magic is totally normal and everyday! Witches and wizards don't stand in awe of simple spells, they just fling them about. By jazzing up the magic I think the filmmakers really remove a lot of the magic. And while they're putting extra emphasis on the magic, the filmmakers forget to push the mystery. HP books are full of mystery but it gets lost in the films. For example, in the films, who cares about the Half Blood Prince? We barely know anything about him. And if Dumbledore can find and get to the Horcrux so easily, why exactly are we watching? Where is the danger there? The discoveries of the Horcrux and Half Blood Prince are supposed to be the climax of the film, yet the characters skate through these things more easily than they prepare for a quidditch match. And another pet peeve: they obviously have no idea how to write or direct teenage love. The scenes between Harry and Ginny were painfully lame.
In conclusion: I want to remake the Harry Potter films. If only I had some cash!
Anyway, I have seen a LOT of films lately. It's fantastic actually, as I watched shamefully few last semester. Anyway, I saw Harry Potter on the 15th of July in Wellington.
I am a big fan of the Harry Potter books, so I always tell myself not to expect big things of the films, however there is always a niggling hope inside me that the next film will be amazing and satisfy me for once. Once again, that's how I walked into this film. Unfortunately, I was disappointed, as usual.
I do have to say, there were some excellent things in this film. I really like the actors playing Hermione, Ron, Professor McGonagall, Bellatrix, and most of the Weasley family (except Ginny). I also liked the humour in this film; the books are very funny at times too, and it was nice to see the film take on that characteristic. I REALLY liked that, for once, the director really used the shots to tell the story. The framing and movement were really dynamic and interesting to watch. It was pleasing to the eye and the camera wasn't just a static window into the world but a real participant in the story. Very cool camera work.
On the down side, the director seems not to understand the story properly. I hate the way they put so much emphasis on magic in the films, especially at the start. Slow motion, twinkly sound effects, swoopy camera movements... please! One of the best things about the world of Harry Potter is that magic is totally normal and everyday! Witches and wizards don't stand in awe of simple spells, they just fling them about. By jazzing up the magic I think the filmmakers really remove a lot of the magic. And while they're putting extra emphasis on the magic, the filmmakers forget to push the mystery. HP books are full of mystery but it gets lost in the films. For example, in the films, who cares about the Half Blood Prince? We barely know anything about him. And if Dumbledore can find and get to the Horcrux so easily, why exactly are we watching? Where is the danger there? The discoveries of the Horcrux and Half Blood Prince are supposed to be the climax of the film, yet the characters skate through these things more easily than they prepare for a quidditch match. And another pet peeve: they obviously have no idea how to write or direct teenage love. The scenes between Harry and Ginny were painfully lame.
In conclusion: I want to remake the Harry Potter films. If only I had some cash!
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