Movie Review #43 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

[catalyst2]

Something with as much hype as this movie is always going to fail someone - nothing can be perfect for everyone, after all - but I was surprised by lack of connection to this movie.

First check of the watch - what is a watch?


I am still confused by my reaction to this movie. The acting is very good from very nearly the entire cast, the special effects are just breath-taking and, as an adaptation from the book, this is pretty damn good. Of course there are enormous chunks that have to be left out - unless this was going to turn into 8 and a half hours of Chris Columbus word-for-word adaptation, that just had to happen. I have no problem with any of these things.

I rode the ride and thought I enjoyed it, but when the ride finished, I just felt hollow. Did I care when Sirius died? No. Did I get excited when Dumbledore and Voldemort dueled? No. Although the build-up was great, I felt absolutely no connection to any of it, no emotional investment in any outcome. Perhaps it was all a bit too slick and flash for its own good? I don't know but I do know that I didn't care.

So there we go, the first major film of the year to disappoint me - and I can't even work out why!

Comments

[sloop.livejournal.com]

Yeah I Felt that they glossed over Sirius's Death. I didn't see the point of Creature being in the film as they didn't use his story. The only reason I can see him being in it is if he is a big part of the final book. Percy Weasley was in the film as well but no word about how his relationship to his family is strained. I felt the movie was short as there was no slow story/character development in the film hence why you didn't care about certain main characters. Ok So thats my rant done with.

[catalyst2.livejournal.com]

It's a long while since I read the book but perhaps the selection of "key scenes" was off a little so some of the flow was lost - or something? I still haven't worked out for myself why I just didn't engage with the movie!