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Posts Tagged ‘Emma Watson’

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

I watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and was very pleased with how well it stuck to the book. Because of this, I had high expectations for Part 2. I mean, if you did so well in the first half, you have to do just as well in the second half, right? Right? Wrong.

The movie started off very well, starting from exactly where it left off in Part 1 and staying faithful to the book all the way to when Harry and co break into Hogwarts. That’s where it starts to go down hill.

*Spoilers!*

The good:

- Neville. He was perfectly perfect. I really wish they gave him more screen time because he was adorable.

- The Gringott’s scene. Very well done.

- The emotion we are shown from Snape. Throughout the series, he’s been rather monotonous and emotionless. In the pensieve, we see a different side of him and it is a refreshing change.

- The battle at Hogwarts. It was intense and wonderfully done.

- Helena Ravenclaw. It was very emotional and creepy. Although they did not tell us her back story with the Bloody Baron.

- Rupert Grint and Dan Radcliffe shirtless. That’s certainly a plus.

OK you know it’s bad when I resort to writing about that.

The bad:

- They completely took out the scene where Harry and Luna go into the Ravenclaw Common Room, where they are ambushed by one of the Carrows. It appeared as if they would show it, as I hope they would (I’ve always wanted to see the other common rooms), but then they don’t. Hm.

- Fred’s death scene. Gone. Yup. They show his body once at the end and don’t even give you time to grieve before moving on to the next scene. This was an insult to his character’s memory.

- Crabbe’s disappeared. Gets replaced by Zabini, and replaced in a different way by Goyle.

- Snape’s memories are rushed and they take out some of the most interesting memories. They just go through a few of them quickly. I’ve always enjoyed the memories, because you get to see life at Hogwarts through the eyes of someone else for a change, in a different time era.

- Hermione and Ron battle Nagini, and eventually Neville slays the snake. Eventually. It takes some time getting to that scene.

- There is not a single mention of Teddy Lupin. That is, until the end when Harry suddenly knows about Lupin’s son. Weird, considering Harry was camping in a forest and hadn’t heard of any of this.

- Collin Creevey is replaced by that random Nigel kid.

- The students are not sent home. No, the teachers think it’s OK to just lock the Slytherins in the dungeons and let everybody else stay and fight.

- Still no mention of the significance of the horcruxes. Hufflepuff’s cup is just a plain old cup that Voldy turned into a horcrux.

- Not enough interaction with characters other than the trio. Too much Harry. It’s as if everybody else just have cameos.

- Random scene where they blow up one of the bridges (ignoring the fact that there are like 2 other bridges that would take them into the school).

- Voldemort’s and Bellatrix’s death = explosion into confetti!

- Percy’s on the good side all of a sudden. No explanation at all (a reoccurring theme with Yates, don’t you think?).

- Harry does not fix his old wand with the Elder Wand. No, instead he takes the Elder Wand and SNAPS IT IN HALF. Is that even possible? I didn’t think so. So Harry breaks the wand and then chucks it into the abyss. Really Yates, really?

- All of the fun and cheerful dialogue from the future scene has been resorted to everybody staring and smiling at each other. No explanation once again. They don’t even say who’s who! Plus there is absolutely no chemistry between Dan and Albus Severus. And it was really awkward to see them all with old make up on.

- Goodbye Dumbledore’s back story!

- Too many attempts at one-liners and humorless jokes.

*End of Spoilers*

All in all, all of the personality and charm of the series was zapped away in an attempts to make this final movie is action-packed as possible. It’s a shame to see something that you’ve grown up with, learned to love, taken and twisted into somebody’s ‘vision.’ I mean, why bother adding your own unimportant scenes to the movie, when there are perfectly good ones in the book that you did not bother using at all? There’s no…bonding with the characters, no connection with them you felt in Part 1. I did not feel the love for this movie like I had with the book. There was just so much significance that was left out of that movie, and it is such a shame. It had such potential to be a fantastic movie, and it fell short all because of the changes that were unnecessarily made.

See the movie, and I’m sure you’ll form your own opinion of it. It’s not a bad movie, just disappointing and unsatisfying for a die-hard fan who’s been following the books for 10 years of their life.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)

It should be wise for people to at least watch the first six films in order before watching this one, if they haven’t read the books already.

With this film, we are slowly but surely bidding farewell to one of cinema’s most successful and imaginative franchises. The franchise, like Harry Potter himself, has grown and matured as the years (and films) progress. Part I of the “Deathly Hallows” is ultimately a strong build- up to what will be a triumphant, bittersweet finale for everybody.

I won’t waste time trying to talk about the performances, because they are all great and powerful in their own way. Never mind that many of the cast members are very talented veteran British actors (try getting John Hurt, Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, Brendan Gleeson, David Thewlis, Michael Gambon, Helena Bonham Carter, Imelda Staunton, Jason Isaacs and Bill Nighy in the same film again) – the three young actors who we have come to love and care for following the first film a decade ago, basically carry the franchise on their shoulders, and this film is no exception. Radcliffe looks handsome, Grint looks gruff, and Watson looks gorgeous. They’ve grown into fine young people.

Screenwriter Steve Kloves doesn’t forget to add the mood and gloom to the story as it slowly unfolds, but then again he adds some light humor to the film when it needs it. Bonus points for making this not only a visual spectacle, but also a character-driven ensemble; there’s some complex characterization here. Also there’s some action which aren’t seen on screen, but mentioned by the characters. It’s OK, because it’s necessary for the brisk pacing, and it’s not really that important anyways. Besides, the human mind can imagine these images far more powerfully.

There are many themes in this film. Sacrifice, determination, (obviously) friendship, and above all – acceptance. As the films progressed the films started to gain an increasingly dark momentum – signaling that all hope may be lost. But in the end, will good triumph over evil? Like the film, real life isn’t so sure. Also, the fact that the actors and crew are moving on after a decade of making these films – it’s also another way of acceptance – the films have ended, they’re moving on for the better of their lives/careers. It’s real life, and I wish all these promising young actors brilliant lives and careers ahead of them.

“Hallows: Part I” is many parts thrilling, as there are quite a number of intense action sequences. Many of them, of course, are done with well-rendered visual effects, and in this one they just blend in at a natural level without being too jarring. However, the action sequences are perfectly blended in with the gripping, dramatic moments. They don’t feel heavy handed and it’s beautiful to look at. The animated sequence about the origins of the Deathly Hallows is an absolute masterclass and jaw-droppingly beautiful to both watch and listen. If separated by itself it can win an Oscar for best animated short.

The crew also get their due here. David Yates has gotten a firm grip on the film’s direction since directing the fifth and sixth films years ago. The cinematography is stunning and exquisite, and it gives off a certain moody hue to the film. The editing is also crisp, it’s not choppy when it doesn’t need to be. Alexandre Desplat’s score really makes a difference, it literally puts you into the world with its beautiful, harmonious, and emotional tones.

In short, I would have to say that this film is the best “Harry Potter: film yet in all honesty. I grew up with the series, and as per the actors, it will be an emotional goodbye. But rest assured, the finale will be grand.

One more thing. This interpretation of the novel is the best one yet. The novel is done justice, something not seen since the first three films. It’s something for both the fans and novel-readers alike, as there are some pieces only book readers can discover while watching the film. It’s definitely a huge improvement over “Half-Blood Prince”‘s adaptation, which for me is the worst Potter film.

Harry Potter is a phenomenon. But, like all things, it most come to an end eventually. This is the beginning of the end, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Overall rating: 75/100

deborah lehrman book
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