Let me start off by saying that at 12:01am today I was right there waiting for the too-long trailers to end (except the Where the Wild Things Are trailer... that movie is going to be AMAZING and the trailer is perfection... see here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/wherethewildthingsare/)
Then suddenly, I was no longer at the theater, I was in England.
Phenomal, fantastic, and the true definition of magic I say. Not just "movie magic," either. I always have adored Rowling's books and early this morning got to see what I believe is the best film so far in the series. (My rank from best to worst is #6, 3, 1, 4, 5, then 2) The cinematography, some of the new shots (visual angles like on the stairs at the Burrow, or through windows on the train and at Hogwarts), the acting (far better than any other film in the series), and the balance of dark and light. By that I mean the scenes of humor and laughter and light-heartedness were perfectly balanced with the dark, depressing, and foreboding scenes. There were moments of horror, suspense, and deep sadness, and then moments that made you feel warm and fuzzy all over. It was remarkable.
I only have 3 complaints: #1: There was not enough of some of the smaller characters, Neville, Professor Lupin, and Tonks especially. I felt that they were jipped a little in lack of screen time and script. #2: There wasn't enough explaination of WHY the Half-Blood Prince is called so. Fans of the boks already know, but many of the folks who saw the film with me just haven't read the books and had no clue when it was kind of tossed in at the end with no elaboration. #3: The living dead were REALLY CG-obvious and I felt could have been done better)
But all in all, even if you dont like the Potterverse (which if you don't I don't know why you're even reading this blog) this is one sight to behold. Everything I imagined when reading the book (especially the cave/ocean scenes, and the Ron/Quidditch sequences) came to life in the purest way possible. I cannot stress enough how good this film is. GO SEE IT!!! It is definitely worth $10.00 to watch on the big screen, and I am sorely tempted to catch it in IMAX soon.
Blurabbit's take: Why Cloud insisted on taking her Professor Snape doll to the movies I will never know, but the girl is a "Fan" through and through. From a *cough* unbiased *cough* perspective, the film is well-blanced with timing, action, and adventure, but I still don't know who those bad wizards kidnapped...
Cloud interjects: "It was Ollivander, the wand maker! It will make sense when the next movie comes out!"
Blurabbit: As I was saying, from the point of view of someone who hasn't read the books, I dozed off a bit when the mushy loe scenes happened but the brilliantly developed CG of flying and stuff was great and a don't-miss! So I'm pulling all sorts of movie magic out of the hat.... *sparkles and faery dust* and now I have my very own magic wand! OK, it's LED light, but still it's fun to poke at people!
