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Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Trouble with Harry Potter 6? - UPDATE
Many Harry Potter fans are still reeling from the news that Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince got pushed back from this fall to next summer. I sympathized with their having to wait a lot longer, although I scoffed at their boycott threats that essentially said, “We want to see the movie NOW, but if we have to see it later, we’ll boycott so we won’t see it at all!”
Uh huh. That makes a lot of sense. Here’s an interesting story about some of that vitriol. Expeliarmus, say WB execs!
That little rumble may be nothing compared to what’s brewing right now. According to Ain’t It Cool News, a test screening of the movie has been held in Chicago, and early reactions aren’t just negative - they reek of dismay. If the reports from the people who have seen it are to be believed, major changes have been made to the ending of the book.
I’ve read the book, and if - IF these reports are true, then the filmmakers are making a major mistake that can only be amended with significant additional shooting. While I’m not one for conspiracy theories, I can’t help but wonder a little how legit the given reason for the move (“we needed a summer movie”) really was. Then again, this IS AICN, so take it with a chunk of salt.
I can’t discuss this story further without getting into spoiler territory. So if you don’t know about the ultra major life altering event of Half Blood Prince, DON’T click on the jump.
Just to make sure ….
SPOILERS AHEAD
WRONG WAY
FALLING ROCKS
BLASTING AREA
BRIDGE OUT AHEAD
Alohamora, eh? OK. First, here’s the AICN story.
Some of the changes these folks are complaining about sound like they might be feasible to me. But there is one in particular that sounds downright foolish. Here’s what the viewers had to say:
“I had the most problems with the film’s final third … there is no funeral for Dumbledore. It’s been cut … A woman in our post-screening discussion of about 20-25 people said she usually cries at movies, but didn’t react at all when Dumbledore died.”
A second viewer says:
“And the ending. Good God, the ending. Not only is the fight between the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix completely removed, but so is Dumbledore’s funeral. The last third of this movie is so incredibly mishandled that Dumbledore’s death feels more like an unfortunate accident than genuine tragedy. No one in the film seems even remotely upset that he’s gone and the Death Eaters who murdered him … walk out of Hogwarts unmolested.”
I usually roll my eyes at fanboy/girl griping, but I must admit - if these reports are accurate, I have to agree with the complaints. I haven’t read the last book yet, but Dumbledore’s demise and its aftermath make for the most powerful emotional wallop of the series before Deathly Hallows, and it sets the stage for the final turn of events. That climax can’t be underplayed or saved for later. If the movie botches that, there won’t be half-blood.
Again, I don’t know how much of this to believe - part of me is skeptical that the normally savvy filmmakers would make such a blunder, and I have to reserve some judgment because I can’t see for myself how the film plays out. But I confess … I’m concerned.
Are you?
UPDATE: Commenter “Brewboy” below pointed us to the fansite MuggleNet, which has its own review of that test screening - and it’s very positive. Here’s what it has to say about the climax:
“Finally, the climax. It, too, is adapted very well. There is such emotion behind it and, when the score is completed, I’m sure it will be one of the defining moments of the series. I liked watching it much, much better than Sirius’ death scene. There was a funny moment for me at the Burrow with Lupin and Tonks and Mr. Weasley in the room when I thought, “Hey wait a minute, where’s Gary Oldman?” Dumbledore’s death will stick.”
Hmm. So are we just dealing with sticklers who go up in arms anytime even the most minute detail of the book is changed? Only time will tell.
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DVD catch up: Baby Mama, Cinerama and more
Betcha never thought Baby Mama and Cinerama would be mentioned in the same sentence, did ya? Such are the fruits of the current DVD slate.
I haven’t done one of these posts in awhile, because the selection has been mostly, well - yuck. But here are a few titles I can opine on:
Out today
Baby Mama: Middling comedy that gets some laughs out of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, but I wish Fey had written it and made it a lot smarter. Full review. GRADE: B-
The Forbidden Kingdom: Unseen by me, but I’ve heard that unlike this year’s Mummy sequel, this movie gives its two martial arts masters, Jackie Chan and Jet Li, a decently filmed fight. That’s gotta be worth something.
How the West Was Won: No home format can capture the Cinerama glory of this fun epic, but Blu-Ray gives it a good try with what WB calls the “smilebox” format, replicating the deeply curved Cinerama screen - as shown on film critic Glenn Kenny’s blog. It’s out on regular DVD too, and I have to wonder: do the extras make any mention of Cinerama’s glorious run in Dayton in the 90s? If you get the discs, let me know either way. GRADE: A-
Out already
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day: Screwball comedy+ Frances McDormand + Amy Adams = Very happy critic. GRADE: A-
Street Kings: Keanu Reeves+ Tired script + Relentlessly downbeat tone = Bored critic. Full review. GRADE: C-
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