June 07, 2004
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Checked it out first thing on Friday. I was disappointed. I just re-read the book in anticipation of it, so maybe that's my fault. But when Ric pointed out things he didn't like about the movie, it was either stuff that didn't receive enough attention in the movie, or stuff that never happened in the book.
I appreciated that the movie felt more mature, but I think it lost the charm. It's like the magical world is simply a background, and didn't seem so special anymore. The music was a big part of creating this feeling in the first couple of movies. I really felt like overall the movie could have been a bit longer. Yes, that would be bordering on LOTR length, but in order for the story not to seem so choppy and unsettled, I think it's necessary. They left out the history of the four friends, HOW Sirius escaped (or how he knew he needed to), almost everything having to do with the actual school year, an intro to Cho Chang, they didn't really emphasize Hogsmeade or what the big deal was about it, or why the shrieking shack and the womping willow were created, or the first time Gryffindor actually won the school quidditch series. There's more.
But basically, I think this rendition is very much an adaptation. It lost the feel of the book for me, it lost the charm, and it left out so much. Sure, it looked great, and was more mature, but I really think it lacked in storytelling and "magic." And it lacked timelessness. Putting the kids in regular school clothes does give them individuality, but it makes the setting seem less magical. Does that make sense?
I'm going to to back again and give it a second shot, but at first impression, I appreciated the look, but was really disappointed.
Posted by wendytime at June 7, 2004 12:48 PM | TrackBack