Harry Potter and the Half-Good Film
Posted in geek speak, infuriatum, sports TV and current events
Before I begin, I would like to apologize to those who actually liked the movie - all 4 or 5 of them - because they may not like what I have to say about the sixth installment of the Harry Potter movie series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Having read Book 6 I personally thought the movie, for lack of a better term, sucked on so many different levels. I supposed being "based on JK Rowling's novel" must've meant "loosely based" to the film makers. If they had deviated any further from the book they would've probably made a movie that was completely outside the realm of HP fiction. This is by far the most disappointing book-based movie I've ever seen. I hate it when they make bad movies out of good books. Good thing I've only read a few, although they've already managed to bungle Dan Brown's novels and now this? Well at least JR Tolkien's books made better movies.
I know they couldn't fit the entire story into the sixth HP movie, but as the movie progressed I couldn't help saying "shortcut" every few scenes. I was so sure Dumbledore's funeral would've made it into the movie. How about the scene where Harry, under Dumbledore's non-verbal spell, stood frozen under his invisibility cloak while Snape killed the Hogwarts Headmaster with the Avada Kedavra? I mean, has the director even read the book? I'm sorry, but I honestly felt they could've done so much better. They weren't even trying.
Casting was also terrible. Lavander Brown was pulled out of High School Musical, Narcissa was nothing like Bellatrix, and Slughorn looked nothing like a Slytherin and was underweight. Fenrir Greyback could've been bigger and more disgusting. I sure hope they have more scenes for Ginny in the next film. Not that I'm anticipating, but I really hope they make up for this joke of a movie in their next production.
Really now Professor, you're Slughorn?I just loved the actors who played Rufus Scrimgeour and Madam Pomfrey. Oh right, they weren't in the movie. Well Madam Pomfrey was there but she had no lines and was hardly even noticeable.
And what's with that kiss? I was looking forward to that scene where Harry got out of detention with Snape, after missing their Quidditch match against Ravenclaw, to find the Gryffindor common room packed with celebration because they had won the House Cup? That's where Harry and Ginny were supposed to kiss. Maybe the film makers thought it was more romantic to imagine making out in the Room of Requirement.
Now I didn't hate the entire movie. There was this scene where a weakened Dumbledore got rid of all those Inferi from the lake with a magnificent display of firepower. That was a really good scene. It was probably the only part of the movie that I actually liked. Oh and there was also this scene where Hermione hit Harry in the head with a rolled-up newspaper. Really now, slapstick?
Hermione Granger really blossomed in this film though. Emma Watson was absolutely stunning.
I sure hope they don't make a mockery of the Battle of Hogwarts in the next movie. They've already left out so much in this one, I won't be surprised if people will actually be glad the movie series is over after The Deathly Hallows film.
It only goes to show that when they make movies out of books, especially if you've read that book, don't expect too much. Maybe you and everybody else has read the book, but that doesn't mean the director has read it too.
Note: It looks like they are planning to do better with Book 7 after all. I just found out that the last movie will actually be a two-part finale. Good.
