Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

POSTED BY: Hixie129
UPDATED: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 21:20
VIEWED: 4601
PAGE 2 of 3

PREV PAGE 1 2 3 NEXT PAGE

LWAVES

Monday, July 27, 2009 10:46 PM

I saw this on Sunday and thought it was a great film but the weakest of the bunch so far, but still a worthy addition.
It took a little to get used to it being funnier instead of the traditional "we've gone darker" theme they've followed everytime before. But having said that the hunour really worked especially, as stated, when Harry has the luck potions effects on him. It was brilliantly played by Daniel but I also thought all the 'kids' have grown well into their roles and turned in excellent performances.

I've had the misfortune of knowing the ending and who was involved in it for a good while (someone who is now buried in hot tar deliberately spoilt it for me) but I thought it still played out really well, especially if you read between the lines of what the characters are saying and the reactions on their faces. And for the record I'm only speculating as I haven't read this book and so far haven't been spoilt about the last book.

If I have one complaint it's that I could have done with a bit more plot. The other movies have some kind of resolution but this one leaves a thread of the main plot open to the next movie and the identity of the Half-Blood Prince isn't explained in any way.
Maybe the book is the same and these get answered in the finale, but I still felt a little bit of 'Is that it?'

Still, last two movies to look forward to, and I start the audiobook of HBP tonight.
The beginning of the end is here.

Oh, and WashNWear something about your sig has always bothered me but I never got past reading the first bit: "donttalkbackjustdrivethecar".
I finally read the whole thing and it clicked. One of my fave PG songs that I really should have gotten from the first part.

"I don't believe in suicide, but if you'd like to try it it might cheer me up to watch."

PHOENIXROSE

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 6:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lwaves:
...the weakest of the bunch so far ... I haven't read this book ... the identity of the Half-Blood Prince isn't explained in any way...

This being my favorite of the books, and having been universally disappointed in every HP film I've sat through, I was super unsure about seeing this one, though the previews gave me a glimmer of hope. Perhaps I should thank you for saving me the inevitable irritation that important things are, once again, left out of the silver screen. So, thank you. Won't be seeing it.

[/sig]

ZEROKIRYU

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 8:02 AM

They did say who the Half Blood Prince is in the movie, the complaint was that it wasn't explained, which if I remember correctly didn't happen till Deathly Hallows.

Oh no, the zombies killed god!

RIPWASH

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 11:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lwaves:
... the weakest of the bunch so far, but still a worthy addition.

I disagree, Lwaves. In my opinion, the weakest was Goblet of Fire. There were some good parts, but SO much was left out from the book and little, annoying things were added. For instance, the whole thing with Barty Crouch Jr. is something I just cannot get past. He escaped from Azkaban, but it's never explained how and nobody even noticed. He kept flicking his tongue out like a snake when he is himself but not as Moody (and why he did that is beyond me - it made absolutely NO sense).

Quote:
It took a little to get used to it being funnier instead of the traditional "we've gone darker" theme they've followed everytime before. But having said that the hunour really worked especially, as stated, when Harry has the luck potions effects on him. It was brilliantly played by Daniel but I also thought all the 'kids' have grown well into their roles and turned in excellent performances.

I think the books have a good bit of humor to them. The movies just bring that out more because you can see reactions and see how the lines may be delivered that you might have read differently.

Quote:
If I have one complaint it's that I could have done with a bit more plot. The other movies have some kind of resolution but this one leaves a thread of the main plot open to the next movie and the identity of the Half-Blood Prince isn't explained in any way.

Funny thing is that my friend thought there wasn't enough action and too much plot. LOL I thought it was balanced very well. I am just finishing HBP myself and I think that it's just assumed that since Snape is a potions master, he is "obviously" the Half-Blood Prince. So him just saying that is almost a "well, duh" moment. Even for those who haven't read the last book (like myself).

*********************************************

"It's okay! I'm a leaf on the wind!!!"
"What does that mean?!?!?!"

RIPWASH

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 11:43 AM

Quote:

This being my favorite of the books, and having been universally disappointed in every HP film I've sat through, I was super unsure about seeing this one, though the previews gave me a glimmer of hope. Perhaps I should thank you for saving me the inevitable irritation that important things are, once again, left out of the silver screen. So, thank you. Won't be seeing it.

I'm sorry you've been so disappointed in them. I think that being a die hard fan of how an author writes and the pattern in which any book is laid out automatically ruins the movie. I've become accustomed to the fact that sometimes things just have to be changed for things to fit into the movie and have things make sense in a 2 hour (give or take) movie. It has always been my contention that fans of the books would gladly sit through a 2 PLUS hour movie. But they (the movie producers) have to cater to the lowest common denominator - those that haven't read the book and are just out for a good time - in order to get the most money for their investment.

Still not done reading this particular book, but I have noticed SOME things that have been added to the movie that aren't in the book. I still think this was a great adaptation, though. I would still recommend it. But if you really haven't liked any of them so far, perhaps it's best to stay away

*********************************************

"It's okay! I'm a leaf on the wind!!!"
"What does that mean?!?!?!"

WASHNWEAR

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 2:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Shinygoodguy:
Thanks for the info and your take on the final chapter of the HP Saga. I will go forth and find it.

SGG

Tawabawho?

Good! I truly think - and certainly hope - that it will be a happy-making thing for you. As Michael Valentine Smith might put it...might...

donttalkbackjustdrivethecarshutyourmouthiknowwhatyouaredontsaynothinkeepyourhandsonthewheeldontturnaroundthisisforreal

Still...what would Rorschach do?

WASHNWEAR

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 2:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by PhoenixRose:
This being my favorite of the books, and having been universally disappointed in every HP film I've sat through, I was super unsure about seeing this one, though the previews gave me a glimmer of hope. Perhaps I should thank you for saving me the inevitable irritation that important things are, once again, left out of the silver screen. So, thank you. Won't be seeing it.

Imma thinkin' nobody ever disappoints you twice, PR.

ETA: Or at least not six times...

donttalkbackjustdrivethecarshutyourmouthiknowwhatyouaredontsaynothinkeepyourhandsonthewheeldontturnaroundthisisforreal

Still...what would Rorschach do?

WASHNWEAR

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 2:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lwaves:
I saw this on Sunday and thought it was a great film but the weakest of the bunch so far, but still a worthy addition.
It took a little to get used to it being funnier instead of the traditional "we've gone darker" theme they've followed everytime before. But having said that the hunour really worked especially, as stated, when Harry has the luck potions effects on him. It was brilliantly played by Daniel but I also thought all the 'kids' have grown well into their roles and turned in excellent performances.

I've had the misfortune of knowing the ending and who was involved in it for a good while (someone who is now buried in hot tar deliberately spoilt it for me) but I thought it still played out really well, especially if you read between the lines of what the characters are saying and the reactions on their faces. And for the record I'm only speculating as I haven't read this book and so far haven't been spoilt about the last book.

If I have one complaint it's that I could have done with a bit more plot. The other movies have some kind of resolution but this one leaves a thread of the main plot open to the next movie and the identity of the Half-Blood Prince isn't explained in any way.
Maybe the book is the same and these get answered in the finale, but I still felt a little bit of 'Is that it?'

Still, last two movies to look forward to, and I start the audiobook of HBP tonight.
The beginning of the end is here.

Oh, and WashNWear something about your sig has always bothered me but I never got past reading the first bit: "donttalkbackjustdrivethecar".
I finally read the whole thing and it clicked. One of my fave PG songs that I really should have gotten from the first part.

Thanks for noticing! It is a great little ditty, isn't it? And it does well for me at my place of employment, where it serves as the "love theme" for me and my boss (This time...you've gone too far...this time...you've gone too far...).

The luck potion business is something I'm particularly looking forward to. I remember thinking each time I read Hallows that that could be real charming and fun to watch if it was done right...which it sounds like it was.

donttalkbackjustdrivethecarshutyourmouthiknowwhatyouaredontsaynothinkeepyourhandsonthewheeldontturnaroundthisisforreal

Still...what would Rorschach do?

BIGWOLF18

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 3:02 PM

i loved it, particularly the Harry/Ginny scenes even the ones they added in for the film. "shoelace" was a great moment, and i liked that they've kept all the actors from when they were kids, even background charecters like the Patel Twins!

-------------------------------------------------
"of course i've gone mad with power, ya ever tried going mad without power? its no fun, nobody listens to you!" The Simpsons Movie

PHOENIXROSE

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by RIPWash:
I think that being a die hard fan of how an author writes and the pattern in which any book is laid out automatically ruins the movie.

I wouldn't say it's automatic, per se, but certainly the odds increase.
I've said before, if someone wants to put a story on film, they should put the story on film. Keeping the character names and setting doesn't make it the same story. The more events that actually follow, I think, the better it is.

Quote:
I've become accustomed to the fact that sometimes things just have to be changed for things to fit into the movie and have things make sense...

That's just the thing, though, it often doesn't make much sense. A friend of mine watched the first four movies before reading the books, and when I mentioned what I considered to be basic story points, she was pretty lost. Much as you mentioned in Goblet of Fire (thankfully, I never saw that one) she was completely unaware of how Sirius escaped Azkaban, or even that he was an animagus. Never having seen that movie either, I could be jumping to conclusions, but that leads me to believe that either there was no explanation at all, or that it was insufficient.

Quote:
fans of the books would gladly sit through a 2 PLUS hour movie.

Gorramn right. And it worked for Lord of the Rings. And it worked for Watchmen, in terms of the story, though I suppose that was less commercially successful than LotR.
Heck, I'd sit through a whole TV series of Harry Potter. Or a miniseries per book. I'd really like to see that, someday, if it were done right.

Quote:
I have noticed SOME things that have been added to the movie that aren't in the book.

Sorry, but that kind of thing really bugs me to no end. When you have that much material to work with, why cut even more of it? Unless something needs to be written in as a bridge for the story, standing in for a sequence that is much too long or doesn't advance the plot much... and that, I think, needs to be handled with some mad skills and some delicacy. As with everything else, I think it's best for a script adaptation to be written by someone who loves the original work, and can actually adapt that voice. Not saying such things are easy, but there are some amazing adaptations out there.

Quote:
since Snape is a potions master, he is "obviously" the Half-Blood Prince. So him just saying that is almost a "well, duh" moment.

So, wait, it is explained who he is? I mean, the book goes into his parentage, his mother being a witch with a surname of 'Prince' and his father being a muggle, hence he was a half-blood, and a 'Prince' on his magical side. Aside from that, I don't know what other explanation people would be looking for. Unless you're looking for what his motivations were, which is indeed explained in the final book.

Quote:
Originally posted by WASHnwear:
Imma thinkin' nobody ever disappoints you twice, PR.

LOL!

No, I'm not known for giving out second opportunities for inflicting unpleasantness on me. I have to be pretty certain things have changed to have another go. Fool me once, shame on you, etc.

[/sig]

PREV PAGE 1 2 3 NEXT PAGE