Faith and I finally caught our first movie since Anne was born. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, of course. Rowling fans would have to admit that this is probably the poorest installment on print, meandering back and forth before finally heading into the story proper.
The movie was totally different. While Faith liked it (she didn’t have the patience to finish the book), I found it a little too fast and hard; it was like watching a DVD on fast-forward. There’s definitely too much material to fit into a single movie, but in my own opinion I thought the character development portion of the book should have made it to the big screen. Given its limitations, HPATGOF did a satisfactory job of telling the story in two and a half hours.
My one big gripe is this: What’s with Dumbledore?
I know the original actor is in a better place, but why is this new guy so … spritely? He’s always jumping up and down, speaking too fast. In essence, he lacks the gravity I have come to expect from Dumbledore. Dumbledore, to me at least, comes across as very deliberate and thoughtful (thinking through everything, I don’t mean considerate, although he is).
Next stop, some movie about a wardrobe.
watching the ‘new’ dumbledore made me twitch.
yeah. totally agree with you. The movie was much better than the book. Next one on my watchlist: Narnia… =)
The new Dumbledore is the old (Richard Harris) Dumbledore’s stunt double. I don’t mind recasting stunt doubles in the actual role; I mind recasting stunt doubles who have as much gravitas as a grasshopper when the role demands gravitas.
To quote my cousin, “They could’ve had Ian McKellen —- and they got this guy??!!”
I concur. Dumbledore blows. Richard Harris lend a stately, regal and reserved air to the character, like in the book. This new guy is just like that really old school teacher we all remember from our school days that we can’t quite remember, save he used to yell a lot. Ian Mckellan prolly too expensive.
The movie was alright, but even my friend who hadn’t read the book said he was very conscious that huge blocks were being knocked right out of the movie, so it was kinda like an RTM 1 version of some other show.
Oh, ‘n Cho Chang’s accent sounded Martian (I know she’s a Scot, but do Scots really sound like that?)
I’m glad you didn’t post any spoilers here! It doesn’t come out here to Australia til coming Thursday! I’m definitely looking forward to it! And yes! Can’t wait til Narnia comes out!!! =)
Spritely Dumbledore? Scary…