OK, I'll jump in and comment on HP:OoTP too. Why not!

[proggrrl]

About the new Harry Potter flick - I saw it this weekend.  And so.

Although I am not a huge HP fan, and haven’t read the books, I have kept up with the films.  The first 4 films were aimed squarely at people less than half my age, and came off to me as shallow but fun.  Something I’d bring a 13 y.o. to see, we’d talk about it over dinner after the show, and by the next morning I’d forget the film almost entirely. 

Unlike the previous films, this ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, with its more mature characters and dark/heavy themes, really pulled at me.  The level of the cinematography and FX are as always top-notch.  OoTP impressed me with its simmering undertones, ideas and details that related nicely back to RL – homeland security, standardized testing, even global warming.  I don’t recall EVER seeing that in previous HP films.   Is it simply the direction?  (There is also a new screenwriter on this episode.)

When we got to the huge sequence near the end in which Dumblie and Voldie do battle, suddenly I was very confused...Was I watching HP or an episode of STAR WARS?  I turned to my friend and whispered this, and she quipped: “Joseph Campbell would say that we’ve been watching this story over and over for eons.”  Heh.

So despite the similarity to SW, this HP was really the only one I’ve truly enjoyed.  Well done – I’m sure all you fans will love it big time.

Also – my friends and I saw it on Sunday at a 10am show, and there was NO LINE.  In fact, the theater was at most about 1/4 full.  Pretty amazing for an HP film on opening weekend in NYC.

Comments

[sui-generis.livejournal.com]

It actually opened last Wednesday, so that probably affected turnout on the weekend somewhat. Also, nobody really goes to the movies at 10am. Especially on a Sunday. They're usually sleeping in from seeing it late Saturday night. : )

I saw the IMAX 3D version last Tuesday night at a 3am showing, and it was (of course) sold out.

I haven't read any of the books either, and I totally agree that this one was a cut above the past ones in entertainment value and drama.

[proggrrl.livejournal.com]

3am? w00t! That is SERIOUS.

RE the 10am thing - I recall stories of friends seeing the previous HP films and the theater is filled with youngsters & their parents, that's what those early shows are for. This probably means that the fandom is aging, and they are mostly in high school/college/older at this point.

[gdg.livejournal.com]

yeah, i'm new to the harry potter madness... didn't really like the first 2 movies, then 3 and 4 were pretty cool... with #5 it just becomes awesome.

anyway, yeah, i'm catching up on the books now - i'm halfway thru #6. they get much cooler and darker. i give it a thumbs-up. :)

[brokenmnemonic.livejournal.com]

Hmm... thanks for that. The HP books and films are a guilty indulgence for me. I like them even though I'm sure I probably shouldn't ;) The films tend to drop a lot that's in the books, but given that I saw the first two films before reading any of the books, I've always been pretty indulgent.

Sadly, I can only really afford to go to the cinema when I'm using my Orange 2for1 tickets, which means having someone to go with me... and no-one I know wants to see it, so I guess I'll either need to stump up full ticket price or catch it on DVD.

[syliasyliasylia.livejournal.com]

Just you wait til the next movie, Half-blood Price shares the same tone and build up the story even more... AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE LAST BOOK!!!! ^^

[mrsdrjackson.livejournal.com]

It's not just the direction, Jo's writing changes it's tone a lot once you finish book four. OotP is by far the darkest of the HP books to-date, I really think the movie caught that well...even if it did change a few things (without reason IMO). You might enjoy HBP when the movie comes out if they succeed in catching the spirit of the book, like the did with OotP.

Squee! I can't wait for Saturday!
Sorry, couldn't help myself...