Five sentences on the latest Harry Potter movie:
1) It's a very good, rather dark, and entirely adult movie.
2) You need to have read the book to understand what the hell is going on.
3) If you have read the book, there are no surprises and the end is ruined.
4) If you JUST read the book, and all the details are still fresh, don't bother seeing this movie—too much has been changed for the sake of fitting the general story into a 2-hour movie and the differences will drive you bonkers.
5) The locket-in-the-bowl scene is, like, wicked scary.
I agree with 2 and 3, and especially 4 - I read the book a few days before going to the IMAX premiere and this was so incredibly disappointing. After this and the major disappointment of Torchwood Season 3, I'm kind of through with script writers breaking the story :(
Posted by: Adinda | July 16, 2009 at 12:24 AM
Did you dressed up in costume? it sounds like you had a good time. They are doing a documentary on ABC at 8pm tonight about the author.
Posted by: Glenn D. | July 16, 2009 at 04:07 AM
I shoudl definitely check it out! Thanks for the bits!
Posted by: John | July 16, 2009 at 09:03 AM
I usually re-read them immediately before the movie comes out, and I've been disappointed most times (except for Prisoner of Azkaban). I saw it last night though, and it was a whole world of awesome.
All the kids have gotten so big too! Some are even shaping up to be pretty good actors too.
Posted by: Rudy | July 16, 2009 at 11:39 AM
So are you saying it's not appropriate for an 8 year old? I'm supposed to take a group of 8 year olds to see it this weekend.
Posted by: Jenna | July 16, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Jenna... haven't seen the movie yet, but having read the book several times, if a parent asked me if their 8 year old should read the book (or have it read to them), it would GREATLY depend on the child (or in your case, children).
If these are kids who are ok watching say, Jaws or Star Wars (esp. 3, where Anakin is so gravely hurt) or even the last two Harry Potters, then fine. This movie, and the next two (they are dividing Deathly Hallows into two films), are going to be DARK. People are going to die, and it won't be just the guy in the red shirt ala Star Trek.
Having read the book (and knowing that they couldn't POSSIBLY do the book page by page).. I fully expect to need a tissue and I'm 30 years older than the kids you are taking. (Yeah, I'm a sap when it comes to watching stuff and weeping anymore. I teared up during the JK Rowling documentary tonight when she started to cry)
Thanks for the warning Dan... having warned me about being driven nuts, you'll probably lessen the "irritation" for me. :)
Posted by: Erica | July 17, 2009 at 12:26 AM
WOW JK Rowling started to cry and I missed it. I taped big Brother instead. Dam I should have taped that instead. Just my luck. :( Do you think they will show it again?
Posted by: Glenn D. | July 17, 2009 at 12:42 AM
I've never read the books and always understood the movies. I'm going to assume that holds for this one as well.
Posted by: David | July 17, 2009 at 08:51 AM
Glenn,
According to my TIVO, they aren't going to replay it, but it is online! (Funny - I forgot to record Big Brother, because I was recording the JK Rowling show.)
Good news though! Its online!!!
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=8105290&cid=ABCNEWS_ENT1_HarryPotter_video
If this link doesn't work, go to ABCNews.com and it is in the Entertainmet section (you might have to scroll down on the Entertainment page. It isn't as user friendly as ABC.com)
Posted by: Erica | July 18, 2009 at 06:34 PM