rra
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Post by rra on Jan 1, 2008 2:04:20 GMT -5
HARRY POTTER & THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX (2007) - ***In a way, you can describe the HARRY POTTER franchise as being like the early glory years of THE SIMPSONS in that there were two types of episodes: The outright adventures where they commit hilarious shenanigans, or the centre of melodramas. Each have their fans, but the difference was that for the most part, all those episodes were of quality. The difference with POTTER though, is that the early flicks by Chris Columbus were flat, happy up the ass, and most of all, safe. But with Cuaron and Newell's pictures, the villains have depth, the story became more interesting, and life aint so swell for the title character and his entourage. Perhaps the recipe for the success with J.K. Rowling's books, at least basing on their cinematic adaptations, is that the material grew up along with their audience. Maybe that is why an adult like me dig the third and fourth movies much more, or maybe I simply prefer British kids getting murdered. With the fifth film in THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, the saga now rests on its mythology and delivers a streamlined adventure like the first two Columbus-shot pictures, but along with some of the angst and moodyness carried over from PRISONER and GOBLET. On that level, PHOENIX delivers as yet another satisfying chapter in a franchise that's among the Top 20 grossing films of all-time, but beyond director David Yates' narrative, the numerous small faults make this nothing more than decent. My problem really though might very well be the script. Of course I've never read the books, but from what people have told me, some of the same faults I find with the story are present within the novel as well. Whatever they're right, or my criticisms are wrong, I wouldn't know. You book fans are free to lecture me. Fellow friends of mine who like the novels have endlessly complained to me about how the cinema series chops out way too much good stuff, and for the most part, I simply didn't care. But from watching PHOENIX, I thought: "This movie is sure very quick to get along with the damn program." Being based from a nearly-900 page book, I'm sure adaptating PHOENIX must have been one hell of an ass-hauling. I have no clue what was deleted, but for the first time with the POTTER franchise, and much like Harry when he meets up with the Order, I felt left out of the loop of something bigger.I used to have a problem with the smarting and out-smarting between the kids and the Death Eaters explaining the climax at the Ministry of Magic, since I thought it was a clustermess logical conclusion this side of World War I, but now having seen PHOENIX again, I accept it now. Then again, I understood BUCKAROO BANZAI the first time around, so either its the film's fault or mine....or both? But what was clear with me in the first screening is present in the second. For a supposedly wicked menace to have escaped from Azkabahn, Helena Bonham Carter just doesn't have enough screen coverage to make her deliciously evil enough for me. Anyway, people swear to me that she'll be a real uber-bitch in the further sequels. If she can be as good, if not better, than she was in SWEENEY TODD, I'll be happy. I still don't comprehend the political paranoia behind the Ministry disowning Harry and Dumbledore. I was disapointed that Daniel Radcliffe didn't get any quality scenes with David Thewlis. They had such great chemistry in Cuaron's PRISONER, and probably the only time that Potter himself had a close relationship with a father-figure. Sure you can argue its Gary Oldman, but who was it that taught the hero to deal with goddamn scary mothers like the Dementors? Plus, the death of a certain character in the climax just doesn't work like it should for me. Even if it follows the book, it should have been quite sudden, enough to provoke pure blood vengeance on Potter's behalf. Now mind you, I liked this movie and quite enjoyed it. Even if its quaint compared to Cuaron and Newell's efforts, its still superior to Columbus. Going through YouTube, I'm surprised nobody has taken the successfully-shot sequence of the students rioting against the new oppressive school regime, and synched it up with Pink Floyd's THE WALL. It's such an easy target. For poor Harry Potter, PHOENIX is just another brick in his wall of hurt. EDIT : This thread also discusses events that are yet to happen in the Harry Potter series of films.
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Post by wolfmoon103100 on Jan 1, 2008 2:06:06 GMT -5
Never seen a potter movie and don't plan too.
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Post by Phosphor Glow on Jan 1, 2008 2:15:51 GMT -5
Never seen a potter movie and don't plan too. That's cool. They're great movies though. And I actually pretty much agree entirely with this review RRA. It was a great movie...though not the best of the bunch. But Columbus' flicks just bore me. And yeah, this is coming from a HUGE fan of the books.
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rra
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Post by rra on Jan 1, 2008 2:23:27 GMT -5
Never seen a potter movie and don't plan too. That's cool. They're great movies though. And I actually pretty much agree entirely with this review RRA. It was a great movie...though not the best of the bunch. But Columbus' flicks just bore me. And yeah, this is coming from a HUGE fan of the books. Yeah, I just can't stand Columbus pictures, ESPECIALLY the first one. Urgh. But yeah, I quite liked PHOENIX, if just not enough to give it a higher grade. I was tempted, but alas....
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Sigma: Current SRW Champ!
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Post by Sigma: Current SRW Champ! on Jan 1, 2008 2:24:07 GMT -5
I'll get my brother and Mom's opinion on it tomorrow, since they are doing a marathon of Potter flicks.
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rra
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Post by rra on Jan 1, 2008 2:38:42 GMT -5
I'll get my brother and Mom's opinion on it tomorrow, since they are doing a marathon of Potter flicks. I've noticed though on message boards that, on a considerable sum, the people who LOVE LOVE the books, prefer the Columbus pictures over the Cuaron/Newell/Yates entries, while those that don't or never read the books, prefer the others. Just an odd trend I've noticed more than once.
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bradyfan
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Post by bradyfan on Jan 1, 2008 5:27:01 GMT -5
I found this book to be boring. so why would I see the movie based on this book. The est I will though.
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Post by trixiedust on Jan 1, 2008 9:02:51 GMT -5
The book was the worst in the series, so the film was a pleasant surprise. I agree with HBC not getting enough screen time, Bellatrix is someone you love to hate in the book series.
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Post by Bob Schlapowitz on Jan 1, 2008 9:05:37 GMT -5
This was a pretty decent flick, but I thought "Prisoner of Azkaban" was definitely the best of the series thus far. Although I can't wait to see how the last two books translate to the screen. I believe that the same director from "Order of the Phoenix" will be doing "Half-Blood Prince".
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Post by MDH1980 on Jan 1, 2008 9:22:13 GMT -5
but beyond director Andrew Yates' narrative, the numerous small faults make this nothing more than decent. His name is actually David Yates. I thought this was the best movie so far, and I haven't read any of the books, so there may be something to that theory that people who haven't read the books enjoy movies 3, 4, & 5 more than those who are hardcore fans.
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Post by amsiraK on Jan 1, 2008 9:38:11 GMT -5
I love ALL the movies. I think Chris Columbus did a good job on Sorcerer's Stone, as it captured the whimsy just right. Things don't get darker until later and by then, they don't need a director of kids' movies to helm it.
And rra - unfortunately, Remus Lupin (David Thewlis) gets shortchanged after POA, even in the books. One of my favorite characters, he's almost a nonentity from there on, which sucks because... dude. Friendly werewolf. Where CAN'T you go with that?
POA is definitely my favorite, with GOF following, but they all make me happy.
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Post by Bob Schlapowitz on Jan 1, 2008 9:46:23 GMT -5
I love ALL the movies. I think Chris Columbus did a good job on Sorcerer's Stone, as it captured the whimsy just right. Things don't get darker until later and by then, they don't need a director of kids' movies to helm it. And rra - unfortunately, Remus Lupin (David Thewlis) gets shortchanged after POA, even in the books. One of my favorite characters, he's almost a nonentity from there on, which sucks because... dude. Friendly werewolf. Where CAN'T you go with that? POA is definitely my favorite, with GOF following, but they all make me happy. I agree, Kar. Lupin was a great character and it is a damn shame more wasn't done with him. Have you read the last book?
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Post by amsiraK on Jan 1, 2008 9:55:32 GMT -5
I love ALL the movies. I think Chris Columbus did a good job on Sorcerer's Stone, as it captured the whimsy just right. Things don't get darker until later and by then, they don't need a director of kids' movies to helm it. And rra - unfortunately, Remus Lupin (David Thewlis) gets shortchanged after POA, even in the books. One of my favorite characters, he's almost a nonentity from there on, which sucks because... dude. Friendly werewolf. Where CAN'T you go with that? POA is definitely my favorite, with GOF following, but they all make me happy. I agree, Kar. Lupin was a great character and it is a damn shame more wasn't done with him. Have you read the last book? The last book pissed me off, though I did still like it.
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Post by Bob Schlapowitz on Jan 1, 2008 9:59:22 GMT -5
I agree, Kar. Lupin was a great character and it is a damn shame more wasn't done with him. Have you read the last book? The last book pissed me off, though I did still like it. PM sent.
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Post by amsiraK on Jan 1, 2008 10:15:10 GMT -5
And responded to, though I'll elaborate without spoilers here.
It just seemed like she didn't care. All the characters who die are obvious, because they get almost NO face time. She distanced us from everyone who was getting offed. They were barely there! I understand that there really was no other way for some of the characters to go, but come on! It'd have been more shocking had we actually had more time with them. As it was, it was almost like "Oh, and X, Y, and Z are now dead. Continue."
But I did like it. It went in some very good directions. It's just my least favorite of the series. Except for that one part I mentioned to you, Bob, in PM. I have high hopes for that in the movie adaptation.
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rra
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Post by rra on Jan 1, 2008 10:59:46 GMT -5
but beyond director Andrew Yates' narrative, the numerous small faults make this nothing more than decent. His name is actually David Yates. I thought this was the best movie so far, and I haven't read any of the books, so there may be something to that theory that people who haven't read the books enjoy movies 3, 4, & 5 more than those who are hardcore fans. Opps! Thanks for the correction!
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Post by DiBiase is Good on Jan 1, 2008 11:06:07 GMT -5
I really enjoyed this film. It's my second favourite film of the series so far (Azkaban is the best). I'm glad they've kept David Yates on as director as I'm a big fan of his work (watch State of Play if you want to see a good Drama series). I actually tried reading one of the books and found it to be crap, but I've loved the films so far and Harry Potter 6 is one film I can't wait for. And for the record, I think Chamber of Secrets is far better than the reputation it has.
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rra
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Post by rra on Jan 1, 2008 11:16:54 GMT -5
The book was the worst in the series, so the film was a pleasant surprise. I agree with HBC not getting enough screen time, Bellatrix is someone you love to hate in the book series. HBC in PHOENIX was less of this mad woman on the loose, and more like Marla Sanger got out of rehab, and found a wand on the street. I'm not attacking, its just....maybe she'll pay off in HALF-BLOOD PRINCE?
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rra
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Post by rra on Jan 1, 2008 11:24:58 GMT -5
I really enjoyed this film. It's my second favourite film of the series so far (Azkaban is the best). I'm glad they've kept David Yates on as director as I'm a big fan of his work (watch State of Play if you want to see a good Drama series). I actually tried reading one of the books and found it to be crap, but I've loved the films so far and Harry Potter 6 is one film I can't wait for. And for the record, I think Chamber of Secrets is far better than the reputation it has. There are two things about CHAMBER that are good, in spite of Columbus. (1) Kenneth Branaugh. (2) The climax. Certainly the climax is practically a James Bond plot point, about the hero breaking into an impenetrable fortress, to rescue the girl. I just wish that aspect was played up more, only because its not whimsical having to fight a mother smurfin SNAKE. I mean, TEMPLE OF DOOM didn't tone down the savagery of a death cult. I must say, the one sequence of the last POTTER books I am most interested in seeing how the filmmakers pull off is the ending of DEATHLY HOLLOWS. I might be the only one, but I would be intrigued to see the CGI/Make-Up done....
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Post by amsiraK on Jan 1, 2008 11:28:39 GMT -5
I really enjoyed this film. It's my second favourite film of the series so far (Azkaban is the best). I'm glad they've kept David Yates on as director as I'm a big fan of his work (watch State of Play if you want to see a good Drama series). I actually tried reading one of the books and found it to be crap, but I've loved the films so far and Harry Potter 6 is one film I can't wait for. And for the record, I think Chamber of Secrets is far better than the reputation it has. There are two things about CHAMBER that are good, in spite of Columbus. (1) Kenneth Branaugh. (2) The climax. Certainly the climax is practically a James Bond plot point, about the hero breaking into an impenetrable fortress, to rescue the girl. I just wish that aspect was played up more, only because its not whimsical having to fight a mother smurfin SNAKE. I mean, TEMPLE OF DOOM didn't tone down the savagery of a death cult. I must say, the one sequence of the last POTTER books I am most interested in seeing how the filmmakers pull off is the ending of DEATHLY HOLLOWS. I might be the only one, but I would be intrigued to see the CGI/Make-Up done.... That will be hella interesting. And hell, if they CGI them older, they can CGI David Thewlis younger for the station, too. LOL
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