In preparation for the Deathly Hallows movie, I read Harry Potter books 1-7 last May/June. Then two weeks before the premiere of the movie, I decided to reread (again) the last book. I am so in love with this series, and just like a lot of people I know, I grew up with Harry, Ron and Hermione. I am very attached to these characters, more so to the characters in the book than in the movie.
Everytime I watch a Harry Potter movie, I try to be excited for it. I tell myself that it’s okay that they don’t include everything since that will be impossible, anyway. But try as I might, I always feel empty and disappointed after watching a Harry Potter movie. I guess I can’t stop being too faithful to the book. I stopped watching the movies in the cinema after Chamber of Secrets but I started watching it again since Half-blood Prince.
I was quite optimistic for Deathly Hallows since they decided to do it in two parts. I hoped that the things I deemed essential would be given importance as well. But once again, I ended up disappointed.
I’d love to make a review about it but I still cannot properly phrase how I feel about the movie. So I’ll do it in bullet style because that’s easier, and I’m just really lazy.
Things I prayed they’d include but didn’t / Things that disappointed me:
- Kreacher’s narration of how Regulus asked his help to destroy the locket. I want this so much to be in the film. If not the whole story of what happened, then I hoped that Kreacher and Harry would be in good terms. It didn’t happen.
- Dudley and Harry’s goodbye.
- Wormtail’s death.
- That conversation between Ron and Harry after Ron came back. Ron said that the reason Dumbledore gave him the Deluminator is probably because Dumbledore knew he’d leave them. Then Harry opposed it and said that Dumbledore probably knew Ron would always want to come back. It just didn’t happen like that in the movie.
- Silver Doe is my favorite chapter, tying with Prince’s Tale. The effects are good and the way the shadows (echoes?) of Harry and Hermione revealed Ron’s deepest insecurities is just so overwhelming. However, I still felt like it’s lacking (in emotions, I guess). I cannot blame Rupert for it because they changed scene almost immediately, anyway.
- Dobby’s death. Luna’s annoying.
- More.
But there are also things that I really enjoyed. In fact, it made up for the things that depressed me.
- My favorite part would be the one when the trio infiltrated the Ministry. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Ronald Weasley, of course, is as hilarious as ever. He really keeps things interesting.
- Harry and Hermione’s dance is so sweet. I see it as a dance between two close friends. Nothing else. It made me wish I have boy friends who’d make me smile when someone breaks my heart. K.
- The wedding is so beautiful.
- Seeing seven Potters is, of course, a delight.
- The forest scene where the trio’s running away from the Snatchers.
- MORE.
Why am I so lazy? Earlier, I felt like I have so many things to say. I think I made quite a scene in Chowking while I rant to Alex how much the movie disappoints me. But then again, I still think it’s the best one so far. It’s the most faithful to the book, I think. Also, the cinematography is simply breath-taking. I feel like I can say more about the movie but I don’t know how to phrase it.
I think I need to watch it again to fully make up my mind about it. I admit that some of the scenes disappointed me but it’s still Harry Potter, and I can’t dislike anything Potter-related.
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