Christina Maki

I’m a gigantic Harry Potter nerd. This is no secret to those who know me. My bookshelf contains hardback editions of all seven books, plus the three supplementals (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through the Ages, and Tales of Beetle the Bard) as well as some unofficial guides and reference books pertaining to the Potterverse.

Say whatever you want about it. I think the books are fantastically written and contain great lessons about life, love, and friendship.

The movies, on the other hand, are a pretty consistant disappointment.

As is my tradition for the past four films, I went to see the newest Harry Potter flick on opening day at midnight. People who have been to see a Harry Potter movie with me before can attest to the fact that I spend the majority of the film with my arms crossed, huffing at inaccuracies and growling when they’ve left out something I feel is important. This movie was no different.

I’d probably only be satisfied with a direct word-for-word interpretation.

So take this with a grain of salt and realize that it’s very biased.

Fair warning: **SPOILERUS MAXIMUS**

…

Let’s start at the beginning.

What. The. [Bleeeeeeep].

Who’s the random girl at the diner? Where’s Scrimgeour replacing Fudge? More importantly, where’s the scene with the Dursleys? I wanted to see Dumbledore rip them a new one. And bounce cups on their heads. The diner/train station scene just seemed completely out of place. Booo.

I did like Snape’s scene in Spinner’s End with Bella and Narcissa. I thought the Unbreakable Curse was translated well visually. Every time I see Bellatrix in a scene, I’m floored at how perfect the casting choice was. They could not have chosen a better fit than Helena Bonham Carter.

I was very, very excited to see the memory scenes, depicting Tom Riddle as he grew up and gradually became Voldemort. Imagine my disappointment, then, when there were only two of the scenes in the Pensieve.

TWO!

This leaves Film Harry in a bit of a pickle for the remainder of the story, since he has no clue about the Hufflepuff cup or Voldemort’s snake, Nagini, being a couple of the Horcruxes. At the end of the sixth novel, Book Harry had a list of pretty much everything he needed to find. Film Harry’s got no clue what he’s going after. Film Harry is a bit screwed.

The Quidditch scenes were okay. The tryouts did make me giggle, and I loved seeing Hermione use Confundus on Cormac. The actualy game scene was fun to watch, but it was very brief and I was kind of depressed that it was the only one. We haven’t seen Quidditch since the third film, and you give us ONE scene on the pitch? C’mon, guys, throw us a freakin’ Quaffle here.

The one scene I did truly love was after the Quidditch match, when Harry and Hermione discuss the feeling you get when the one you love doesn’t love you back. Watching Harry console Hermione was extra-sweet. And I’m sure all the H/H shippers were very pleased, as well.

The Christmas scenes I was not a fan of. First of all, Tonks and Lupin are clearly together. Tonks was pining in the book, and it wasn’t revealed until the end that she had feelings for Lupin. The film is too heavy-handed on that account.

Secondly, since when do Bella and Voldy’s goons attack the Burrow? Seems to me they could have left out that scene, which is certainly not canon, and put in something else that was more important. Like, oh, another memory. Or a scene explaining them learning non-verbal spells. Or the students learning to Apparate.

And while we’re talking about Apparation, what was with Harry and Dumbledore leaving the castle by Apparation? EVEN DUMBLEDORE CAN’T APPARATE INSIDE HOGWARTS! The books are pretty clear about that. Why was he allowed to do that? Bad screenwriter. No biscuit.

I also didn’t like the scene where Snape goes all Avada Kedavra on Dumbledore. Harry was supposed to be invisible and immobilized. Snape had NO contact with him before killing Albus. That shouldn’t have been changed.

And I really wish they would have left the line where Snape shouts at Harry not to call him a coward. I love that part in the book. And hey, way to not even remotely explain why Snape calls himself the Half-Blood Prince. Srsly.

Also, no final battle (which means no mention of Bill Weasley’s injuries), and no funeral for Dumbledore. Boo.

All in all, the movie had the effect on me that they always do. I enjoyed the casting and the special effects, but left very disappointed over the story’s adaptation to the big screen. They could have done so much more with the movie, even given the time constraints. (At 153 minutes, this wasn’t even the longest movie. That title goes to the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, coming in at 157 minutes.)

*sigh*

I need a Cheering Charm.

If any of you have seen the movie, I would love to hear your thoughts! Leave them in the comments. :)