Here's a review I wrote of the Harry Potter Movie... I don't think there are any spoilers in it...
--Ray
Saw it opening night at midnight, surrounded by rabid fans of the series. And by the applause in many places during the show I would say that they were not let down. We ended up going 3 hours early just to get a decent seat in the theatre, then entertained ourselves with trivia questions and snacks a friend had brought based off of the books (cockroach clusters, every flavor beans, licorice wands, sugar quills, ice mice, etc...)
Despite the late showing (and perhaps because of the copious amounts of sugar I ate waiting for the show to start) I found myself wide eyed the whole time. There didn't really seem to be any slow parts in this movie.
Particularly excellent in the movie are the characters of the very spacey Luna, and the villainous yet cutely pink, Professor Umbrage. Fred and George Weasly (who've been more or less ignored in the other movies) were featured quite prominently in this one, as were their parents and Ginny. Many of the mainstays in prior movies (Trelawney, McConigal, Hagrid, Snape) felt as though were relegated to character parts, and though the movie started with a very exciting broom fly through London, the movie had no mention of quidditch in it at all (though I didn't miss it at all). There were a few cast changes from previous movies, but honestly they're not that noticeable, and I was amazed at how HUGE the cast is, and how many of the regular members they managed to get back for the sequel. I have to wonder how much it must cost them to do it... because all your favorites are back, and it's great fun to see them even if they're in character parts.
The end action sequence was very good, and I felt like the emphasis of the movie was to clarify and even lead up to--or help clarify--what JK Rowling intends to wrap up in Book Seven... Of course that's because my personal theory is that Harry's scar is some kind of "final" Horcrux and the movie really seemed to try to indicate something similar to that in regards to the imagery of Harry thinking he is turning into Lord Voldemort.
The themes of the movie were a lot more obvious (stated outright by Sirius and Dumbledore) and ponderous than in the past, and the story itself seemed more focused upon the theme--which is the type of thing I enjoy in a movie. The whole idea of the theme really resonates with me, especially the idea that though one may be born disadvantaged or with a propensity to do evil, what makes us good or evil are the actions we take in this life.
All the old wonders of Hogwarts are essentially still there in the movie, but they come off as "givens" that you are already expected to be familiar with... (and who isn't!?) I really prefer this type of movie, where there isn't much backstory and it is focused on pushing forward.
Some of the annoyances readers have with Book 5 are also gone, because they simply didn't have time to dwell on tangential characters, or Harry's nightmares, or his really pissy attitude that put off a lot of the book fans... In fact if anything the movie makes these torturous chapters fly by pleasantly as a ride on broomstick.
All in all if you're a fan of Harry Potter, you'll love this movie. I think it's my favorite thusfar... but that's probably because it's newest...
--Ray
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I'm not slow; I'm special. (Don't take it personally, everyone finds me offensive. Yet somehow I manage to live with myself.)
Honestly, I don't know how you expect anyone to take your horcrux convictions seriously when you can't even spell McGonagall.
I didn't think the Voldemort imagery indicated he thought he was turning into Voldemort. I saw it more as a visual representation of the continual threat hanging over the movie. Just a way to keep the villain present in the minds of the audience. I see no basis for claiming it as evidence for your pet theory.
No matter what hints are or are not in the movie, they're useless for predicting what will be in the last book. Although the movies are based off the books, JK Rowling does not write the script. She does advise them, but she is not the one responsible for what's in the film. Besides, I didn't see what you saw at all.
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
