With my Pixar list and my review of Toy Story 3 taking up my time the last couple weeks, I haven’t had the opportunity to discuss a crazy moment in film. Namely, that the Harry Potter series has wrapped filming for the last time. Shooting for Sorcerer’s Stone began in the Fall of 2000, so to have the series be officially done is a pretty big deal. Apparently Daniel Radcliffe got pretty emotional during that last day of shooting. It’s pretty strange to think that the series that jump-started the British film industry is coming to an end. It also means there will be a time coming soon when I won’t be doing many PotterWatches anymore. And that does make me a little sad.
It seems only right then that a new trailer for Deathly Hallows came out tonight. Take a look!
MOST of the footage in the movie is consistent with the book. I especially like that we see little details, like Voldemort holding Dumbledore’s wand and Hermoine with Belatrix’s. What worries me more than anything is that they seem to be changing quite a bit about the final showdown between Voldemort and Harry. This is what bothered me about the film version of Half-Blood Prince. The filmmakers took what were great moments in the film and tried to tweak them, which made them weaker. If the scene isn’t broke, don’t fix it, you guys! That being said, I’m not giving up hope for the movie just yet. The first scene in the trailer seems pretty close to the novel, don’t you think? And did anyone else catch the chess game pawn from Sorcerer’s Stone in the background of the Room of Requirement?
Hmm, not entirely sure I agree with your comment that the Harry Potter series jump-started the British film industry – afterall, James Bond has done a pretty good job of keeping that strong for a good almost fifty years now.
The trailer looks good, but I'm concerned about their decision to jump on the 3D bandwagon. I also hope Alan Rickman as Snape gets more screentime – his pivotal role is significantly reduced in the films in comparison to the books, and he really is the highlight for me.
I'm pleased they decided to split the film into two parts, it's something they should have been doing since Goblet of Fire. The books are so rich that the films seriously suffer trying to cram everything in to a 2hr30 runtime. Hopefully it will stay relatively close to the book, and hopefully Mrs Weasley will deliver the classic "NOT MY DAUGHTER YOU BITCH!" line 😀
Consistency is something I will definitely be watching for as well. I still can't believe that they burned down the Burrow.
I've really enjoyed this journey that has been Harry Potter. I hope they do justice to these culminating chapters.
I've long since learned to see the book version and the movie version as two completely separate entities, based on the same general outline. It's the only way I can really enjoy the movies. It's easier if I haven't read the book in a while, though. Learned that the hard way after seeing Half-Blood Prince The Movie a week after finishing Half-Blood Prince The Book. That's why I won't read Deathly Hallows again until next summer. I've forgotten it enough that I don't remember if that dragon in Gringotts was in the book or not.
I suspect they burned down the Burrow in HP6 to make a change in HP7 make more sense (like maybe have the wedding somewhere else.) Can't think of another reason why they would invent a scene when there were so many other things in the book they could have used the time with.