We tried to see this on Friday, but when we got to the theater, every show had long since been sold out for the rest of the day and night, so we had to watch Troy instead...
But we did catch Harry tonight though. It was a lot different than the first two. A good film, and definitely a lot darker, as everyone has already pointed out. The kids are much more grown up, as are the themes and dialogue and such, which I think is what made it feel a lot different than the first two.
For some reason, I think I liked the first two a little better though. I think it was because the kids were still young and wide-eyed, learning so much and also getting to know eachother. In this one, the kids already know their stuff, and know one on another, so that element, along with some of the wonder and magic, is no longer as exciting and evident in the film. I think it also felt different 'cause the kids were dressed in real clothes, and much of the movie took place in "real" environments (like the outdoor stuff). So it seemed a little more connected to the "real world", and not quite the fantasy world of Hogwarts that was so much fun to go and play in. Seemed a little disjointed and choppy to me in the early going as well.
A couple other things that bugged me a bit...
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I thought they practically ruined the character of Malfoy in this one. He didn't have much screen time, but when he did, he was getting his ass kicked and literally crying as a result. Hell, even Hermaine decked him. He was probably our favorite character in the first two films - such an
evil young kid. His expressions, ego, and taunting were just a joy to watch. But now he's been shown to be a total wuss, and can no longer be taken seriously as Harry's school rival. Not sure if this was because of the book (which I haven't read), or if it was a conscious choice of the filmmakers, but I miss the old, evil Malfoy.
I also felt a little like I was watching
Back To the Future during that one long sequence. This story also just seemed to cover the first week of school, or so. I enjoyed watching the series of events progress over the course of their school year in the the first one, and even TCOS seemed more drawn out.
But those few qualms aside, it was still a good movie, and HP's still a movie franchise that I greatly enjoy spending some time in, if but only a few hours a year. One question, who'd win - the POA Dementors, or the LOTR Ringwraiths?
