Movie Talks Archives

Posted by: Steve76 at December 24, 2001, 11:50 am

Topic: Reviews: Harry Potter Forum: JoBlo

First, let me say that I've read all 4 books and even the 2 "supplemental" textbooks that Rowling wrote for charity, and I am a big fan of the series. Sure they're a little shallow, but they're entertaining and that's all I really look for in an entertainment source. That having been said, I didn't think the book translated particularly well onto the big screen. I enjoyed the film because I'd read the book, but I remember thinking that a person who hasn't read the book probably wouldn't think all that much of the movie. Although the movie tried desperately to stick to the book, no movie, even a 150 minute one, can relate EVERY part of a book. (Just wait until they make "Goblet of Fire" into a movie...) Therefore, some of the character development was necessarily absent from the book and this made some of the ending seem more contrived and patched together. 2 examples come to mind: - JoeBlo rightfully criticizes the change in winners of the House Cup as being childish and mean. But, in the book, Slytherin is set out to be much more evil and adversarial than in the movie. Also, it's a fair reading from the book that Gryffindor should have won anyway but for some bad luck and some bias from a certain potions professor. So, in the book, that part of the ending does seem just and satisfying. - Most of the first chapter is absent from the movie. This means that the viewer of the movie doesn't have a full appreciation for the tremendous evil force that Voldemort represents. The pale of Voldemort pervades the pages of the book like a foreboding shadow that makes the final confrontation that much more dramatic. In the movie, Voldemort comes off as almost a mythic figure from the past that doesn't seem like all that big a deal. This makes the final confrontation somewhat anti-climactic. I really think the only book that is tailor made for a film in this series is the third one, "the Prisoner of Azkaban." Aside from it being, IMO, the best of the four, it's more action packed. Also, it's the only one in which Voldemort plays no direct role. Face it, Voldemort is an extremely difficult character to capture adequately on the big screen. He's a character that's better left to the imagination. [This message has been edited by Steve76 (edited 12-24-2001).]

Shared Movies
Over 80 Million Movies and TV-Shows to choose from

Categories:

Movie Theater Divx Movie Movie Rating DVD Releases Science Fiction Movie Movie Award Movie News Fantasy Movie Censorship Best Movies Drama Movie Comedy Movie Movie Trailer Worst Movies Adventure Movie Harry Potter Tragedy Movie Movie Review Great Movie Thriller Movie

Links:

Forum Extractor

Shared Movies
Over 80 Million Movies and TV-Shows to choose from
Play movies on your computer, Home theater or TV
No Charge per movie, No download limit what so ever!