A few more detailed thoughts about why this film blows its predecessors out of the water
ironclad Send a noteboard - 29/11/2010 02:46:23 PM
The opening sequence was wonderfully gloomy, the three preparing for dark times in different ways. I loved how that was delivered.
The whole mood of the film was so bleak and dark, I really liked that, because that's what it was supposed to be like. Sure, the camping was slow and felt like it went on forever, but that was the point. And so beautifully filmed.
I liked how the three were actually terrorists. From the ministry's POV, they were the bad guys and that had a very special feel to it. Of course that wouldn't have worked with the poor, innocent students at Hogwarts in the former films, but it was such a major point for this film, it made it stand out even more.
The humor wasn't used as cheaply anymore as in the former films, but as a way to inhale, get some rest and a smile on someone's face before the return to dire times.
The animation of Hermione telling the story of the three brothers? Lovely. What a great idea.
The dancing scene was really awkward, but I think that worked. The three kids finally became real characters, something the 6 films before this one did not manage to pull off. Hell, I was even impressed with Radcliff's acting, and he was so bad for the first two or three films. They all finally had chemistry together and you actually cared. In the books so many bad things happened to Potter, you always cheered for him. In the films so far, not so much.
The one consistent aspect of the film series is that they cast excellent people for the adults. Ifans, Nighy, David O'Hara as the guy Potter impersonates. Wonderful.
I was always surprised how easily the fans of the books let the former films off the hook, now they finally have a film that's doing justice to its source material. So far I was always like "sure, looks good, we'll see.", had a decent time at the movies, left and never thought about it anymore. It's a whole different movie experience this time. I am really impressed and actually really looking forward to the final film. They could redeem the whole experience with the two Deathly Hallows parts, but for now, like Paul said, this film actually shows what the others were lacking.
The whole mood of the film was so bleak and dark, I really liked that, because that's what it was supposed to be like. Sure, the camping was slow and felt like it went on forever, but that was the point. And so beautifully filmed.
I liked how the three were actually terrorists. From the ministry's POV, they were the bad guys and that had a very special feel to it. Of course that wouldn't have worked with the poor, innocent students at Hogwarts in the former films, but it was such a major point for this film, it made it stand out even more.
The humor wasn't used as cheaply anymore as in the former films, but as a way to inhale, get some rest and a smile on someone's face before the return to dire times.
The animation of Hermione telling the story of the three brothers? Lovely. What a great idea.
The dancing scene was really awkward, but I think that worked. The three kids finally became real characters, something the 6 films before this one did not manage to pull off. Hell, I was even impressed with Radcliff's acting, and he was so bad for the first two or three films. They all finally had chemistry together and you actually cared. In the books so many bad things happened to Potter, you always cheered for him. In the films so far, not so much.
The one consistent aspect of the film series is that they cast excellent people for the adults. Ifans, Nighy, David O'Hara as the guy Potter impersonates. Wonderful.
I was always surprised how easily the fans of the books let the former films off the hook, now they finally have a film that's doing justice to its source material. So far I was always like "sure, looks good, we'll see.", had a decent time at the movies, left and never thought about it anymore. It's a whole different movie experience this time. I am really impressed and actually really looking forward to the final film. They could redeem the whole experience with the two Deathly Hallows parts, but for now, like Paul said, this film actually shows what the others were lacking.
*MySmiley*
You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.
You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.
This message last edited by ironclad on 29/11/2010 at 03:05:49 PM
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One (spoiler-free)
15/11/2010 07:05:18 PM
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Free?
15/11/2010 07:37:31 PM
- 890 Views
I figure it's fair. I mean, the universe has to make up for you being you sometimes, right?
15/11/2010 10:28:46 PM
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Sorry, I can't hear you over everyone in the theater talking before the film.
15/11/2010 11:47:11 PM
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...If my friends and I can get a seat. Holy crap is this line long. *NM*
15/11/2010 11:18:02 PM
- 546 Views
Hah, well, that subtext is probably a good thing (spoilers)
16/11/2010 02:24:13 PM
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Yeah, but unfortunately it just comes off as being really out of nowhere.
16/11/2010 05:29:26 PM
- 933 Views
I am sooooo over HP. I'll probably wait a week for the fan-storm to blow over, or wait 'till dvd.
16/11/2010 03:43:27 PM
- 1047 Views
NSSP: So?
16/11/2010 05:50:53 PM
- 828 Views
I'm thinking you'd be really, really, really confused. It might be a bit like surrealist art.
16/11/2010 06:04:37 PM
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But the 7th book relies so heavily on the 6th, it would be pretty impossible.
16/11/2010 08:29:28 PM
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You ought to read or watch them just for their cultural relevance.
16/11/2010 08:30:45 PM
- 1026 Views

I see the
, but serioiusly, I don't think I need to.
17/11/2010 05:53:27 PM
- 912 Views

It's about as influential as Star Wars, which I guess depends on how influential you think SW is.
17/11/2010 09:23:55 PM
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That seems a bit early to say - wait till twenty years have passed, then check again. *NM*
18/11/2010 03:46:24 PM
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Fair enough, but I think we're already seeing its influence on children's literature. *NM*
19/11/2010 08:41:51 PM
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Re: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One (spoiler-free)
18/11/2010 11:02:29 AM
- 983 Views
didn't like 3/5 for me
21/11/2010 12:57:59 AM
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I'm glad it's 2 films, but the total run time could be 4 hours instead of 5 hours *NM*
21/11/2010 07:15:54 AM
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i guess even with severe editing one film would have ran for 4 hours
22/11/2010 11:53:13 AM
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the dance was one of the best scenes in the film, imo. *NM*
22/11/2010 07:09:26 PM
- 522 Views
Yeah, I really liked it.
22/11/2010 08:10:08 PM
- 901 Views
Re: Yeah, I really liked it.
23/11/2010 10:20:26 PM
- 874 Views
yes, but we can't have CHARACTERIZATION!!!
24/11/2010 06:55:39 AM
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it wasn't characterisation, it was horribly awkward and clumsily crowbarred in
25/11/2010 01:15:20 AM
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*shrug* I liked the scene. It was something lighthearted in the middle of a lot of bleakness
25/11/2010 01:43:14 AM
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I was against the idea of splitting it when that was first announced
29/11/2010 03:02:27 PM
- 912 Views
Wow. Awesome. Makes it all the sadder how bad the others were, but oh well.
26/11/2010 10:48:35 PM
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A few more detailed thoughts about why this film blows its predecessors out of the water
29/11/2010 02:46:23 PM
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One scene they could have made scarier (spoilers)
30/11/2010 05:16:42 PM
- 977 Views
oh I dunno...
01/12/2010 08:25:20 AM
- 966 Views
I for one cannot WAIT for the Bellatrix vs Molly Weasley showdown. Gonna be epic! Best scene in book *NM*
05/12/2010 07:41:53 AM
- 530 Views