It has been a busy, coffee-filled morning back in Chicago. The revitalizing side effects of my ten-day respite in Michigan seem to have been counteracted (if not depleted entirely) by my cousin Pete's and my 10.30 viewing of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last night. And with a 10.30 start time, I got home at 2am. It was entirely worth it.
I've enjoyed the HP series immensely, and was excited to see this latest film. Overall it was well done and enjoyable (especially given that filmmakers had to condense 600+ pages of plot), and definitely one of the best summer-movies out now (along with Ratatouille, which was amazing). Other thoughts:
- Harry and Ron are getting to be CUTE! Me likey!
- Dude, Ralph Fiennes is the creepiest person alive. Between his portrayal of Voldemort and the creature from Red Dragon, I'm running like hell if I see him on the street.
- Imelda Staunton's Dolores Umbridge is Hogwart's version of my sophomore year statistics professor, complete with kitten accessories, pink outfit, and apparent glee in tormenting students. Yes.
- Can we have more Ron please? Is it wrong that he's probably only 16?
- Emma Thompson made me cry a little bit, not gonna lie.
- What's up with the tassel on Dumbledore's beard? Who does that besides Johnny Depp?
- Snape is The Man. If I could have a HP-related wish granted someday, I would like for Alan Rickman to record the message for my voicemail.
- The tone of the film (especially the ending) was a lot happier than in the book. I prefer the moodier Harry of the novel as compared to the "Voldemort ruined my life again, my father-figure is dead, the Death Eaters are back, my girlfriend ratted me out, but I guess that's cool, let's have a party!" chilled-out Harry of the movie. Oh, Hollywood.
I missed moody Harry, too. The movie didn't have anything like the emotional roller coaster of the book - the highs of DA practice and Weasley is our King, the lows of Umbridge-torture, Dumbledore-rejection and... Weasley is our King...
Also, could Alan Rickman talk a little bit more about penetration, please? Seriously, that discussion he had with Harry was so dirty if you have a dirty mind.
Posted by: srah | July 12, 2007 at 02:01 PM
HAHA you said it all perfectly! Oh snape... and I could have used more Umbridge too. The end was annoying to me-- Harry's thing about feeling sorry for Voldemort, etc. instead of begging to be killed. A little too sappy for me, and an unfortunate departure from the book, as at this point, Harry shouldn't have much insight into V. at all. Aaaand I'm a geek.
Posted by: camille | July 12, 2007 at 02:32 PM
Yes. That schmaltzy "You'll never know love... or FRIENDSHIP!" part made me sad. I was like "This has been a very nice movie up to this point! Why did you say that, Harry?"
Posted by: srah | July 12, 2007 at 03:00 PM
He should have just stayed squirming on the floor. Harry's way too logical and in touch with his feelings now!
Posted by: camille | July 12, 2007 at 04:15 PM
Alan Rickman's sole purpose in life was to play Snape. He is so perfect.
Posted by: sam | July 12, 2007 at 09:40 PM
completely agree. and i think dan radcliffe was born to be harry.
Posted by: camille | July 16, 2007 at 03:53 PM