The Harry Potter Series. - Page 5

I'm introducing these films to someone whose never seen them before.

Jesus is Sorcerer's Stone stiff. The film is actually kind of horrible. I'm not sure if it's because I know how good the film gets, but everything in that first film feels off. I hate Columbus' direction, particularly the really stagey opening flashback, almost as much as I hate his Victorian fascination. Just feels odd to see these characters all dressed up like they're in the 19th Century. The kids are OK but Columbus sort of lets them be too surprised and shocked at things. There's this consistent sense of wonderment in the film which is downright exhausting after a while. I also kind of hate John Williams score, feels like it's working overtime to make up for Columbus' lack of direction. Even the adult actors feel a little lost.

I think it has a lot to do with the fact that we've seen how much more effortless and graceful the filmmaking in the series has become.

Yeah, Columbus' films feel REALLY flat in comparison.  They also come across 'old' as if it was an elaborate TV production. 

What did you think back when you first saw it?

I was 15 when I last saw it, and I HATE 15 year old Spike. At the time I was just impressed by seeing the characters from the books on screen. I think the first film suffers from being caught between two worlds. When the film was in production Goblet of Fire was getting released and it sort of represents the 'shit just got real' moment of the Potter books. As such the film feels like it's trying to be the boys own adventure of the first book whilst also straining to fit in the mythos of the series which really wasn't all that important to the first book. 

Didn't know the first film was being made when the 4th book got released.  Interesting.

It was actually only after the 3rd movie (my favorite, I think) that I decided to try reading the books.  It makes sense that my more nitpicky beefs with the adaptations started right with the 4th movie.  Hahahaha.

My recollection of the first film is that it's pretty much a xerox adaptation of the book.  I don't recall any particular mythos that felt tacked on.  But I haven't seen the film in a while.

The one thing I really appreciated about the first movie is Harry feels more proactive. I remember being dissapointed in the book that he basically accidentally stumbles onto the way to defeat Voldemort-backwards-head. In the movie, he notices that he's hurt Voldemort, and then takes the initiative and attacks. In the book it all happens very quickly and coincidentally.

Finished Half Blood Prince yesterday. 2nd Watch. At one point I would have had both Yates movies at the top of the list, but aside from a few fun moments his version of Half Blood Prince feels oddly static. It's nowhere near as inert as the Columbus movies and the kids are great, but it feels like nothing really happens in the film and it's the only movie where I really, really, miss the excised material. I think Yates overall style is still great and I think Draco Malfoy and Slughorn are both far better served by the film than the bool, but I just wish Yates had brought a little of the fun and pep of Phoenix to the film. It's also bizarre that the film inserts an action sequence into the movie halfway through and then completely downplays an action sequence from the book (the Death Eater vs. Order fight in Hogwarts).

I guess it's for pacing, because if the attack on the Weasley's doesn't happen then the doesn't actually have a set piece for about two hours. I do really like the kids. I love Radcliffe and his chance to go broad when he's using the charm potion. He's essentially Coked Up 80s Guy Harry Potter and he's fantastic.

I've actually raised Goblet of Fire in my estimation. I think the structure of the book really helps, but there's a really great sense of pace and energy to the whole thing. I think a few character beats feel a little off, but it feels the most self contained and cinematic of all the Potter films. As much as I love Yates Order of the Phoenix and it's constant montages it sort of doesn't feel quite as 'cinematic' as either Goblet or Azkaban largely because it starts off right away and takes a while to establish a tone. But then the montages are so much fun and the final battle is still the best thing in the films to me.

By the by, I noticed that Chamber of Secrets is kind of littered with dutch angles. A technique that Columbus never seemed to use. I wonder if Branagh was passing him notes.

So Warner Brothers says that were 167million in the red on "The Order of the Phoenix"

http://www.boingboing.net/2011/06/27/hollywoodonomics-how.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spike Marshall 

Finished Half Blood Prince yesterday. 2nd Watch. At one point I would have had both Yates movies at the top of the list, but aside from a few fun moments his version of Half Blood Prince feels oddly static. It's nowhere near as inert as the Columbus movies and the kids are great, but it feels like nothing really happens in the film and it's the only movie where I really, really, miss the excised material. I think Yates overall style is still great and I think Draco Malfoy and Slughorn are both far better served by the film than the bool, but I just wish Yates had brought a little of the fun and pep of Phoenix to the film. It's also bizarre that the film inserts an action sequence into the movie halfway through and then completely downplays an action sequence from the book (the Death Eater vs. Order fight in Hogwarts).

 

I guess it's for pacing, because if the attack on the Weasley's doesn't happen then the doesn't actually have a set piece for about two hours. I do really like the kids. I love Radcliffe and his chance to go broad when he's using the charm potion. He's essentially Coked Up 80s Guy Harry Potter and he's fantastic.

 

I've actually raised Goblet of Fire in my estimation. I think the structure of the book really helps, but there's a really great sense of pace and energy to the whole thing. I think a few character beats feel a little off, but it feels the most self contained and cinematic of all the Potter films. As much as I love Yates Order of the Phoenix and it's constant montages it sort of doesn't feel quite as 'cinematic' as either Goblet or Azkaban largely because it starts off right away and takes a while to establish a tone. But then the montages are so much fun and the final battle is still the best thing in the films to me.

 

By the by, I noticed that Chamber of Secrets is kind of littered with dutch angles. A technique that Columbus never seemed to use. I wonder if Branagh was passing him notes.

The attack is definitely pointless, and inserted entirely for pacing purposes.  One assumes the final battle was  downplayed because they want the battle of Hogwarts in the final film to be a singular and epic thing within the series.  To that end, it makes sense. 

Harry on the luck potion seemed most to me like someone on mushrooms, because he's all goofy positivity without the frantic edge of a coke high.  Ron's dose of love potion also is a fairly accurate take on an ecstasy trip.

I find it kind of funny that this children's fantasy flick has some more authentic druggy acting than Hollywood usually manages for more adult fare.  There's even that scene of them walking back in the snow where Emma Watson is playing it visibly drunk that passes totally without comment, not to mention the rather ham-handed bit in Phoenix (I think?) where the kids are sitting around burning incense of something and getting all giggly.  Yates definitely seemed like he was having fun being a little subversive on the substance abuse score with his flicks. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schwartz 

 

The attack is definitely pointless, and inserted entirely for pacing purposes.  One assumes the final battle was  downplayed because they want the battle of Hogwarts in the final film to be a singular and epic thing within the series.  To that end, it makes sense.  

I'm positive I read somewhere that that's exactly what Kloves and Yates had in mind. In fact, I always quite liked the idea of the Death Eaters performing a "Drive-by-Shooting". I think playing it a bit more lowkey made the scene creepier and a bit more dangerous.

Regarding the Burning of the Burrow, it worked but it it didn't go nearly far enough. It made no tactical sense to attack the Weasley's and make no attempt at Harry. Bellatrix leads him into the fields then disappears. Odd.

And most egregious is the fact that Lupin and Greyback are thrust into a battle, and we DON'T get a werewolf fight. I was amazed they didn't take advantage of that.