Saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with Kirk and Ric tonight.
Loved it!
Enjoyed it much more than 3 and 4. It was definitely a lot more fun than the book, which was downright depressing. They did have to leave a lot out of course (especially stuff with the Order itself), and changed a few things around a bit, but not too badly, except for maybe how they find out about DA. The passage of time felt more real in this one, cutting in an out of the DA meetings and classes. And they kept a lot of the look and feel from 3 and 4, without changing it like they did after 1 and 2. Strangely enough I missed Harry not smashing up Dumbledore's office at the end heh.
Dudley has grown up to be sufficiently thug-like. Not much Draco but plenty of Lucius (*drool*). Ginny definitely didn't get enough lines (she barely had any lines at all :( ). Percy is there but doesn't get any lines. Luna was very cool, liked her a lot.
The visual effects in this one were fantastic. Probably the best made movie of the series so far.
Missy
I'm glad to hear you liked it. It's getting poor reviews from many newspapers in the U.K. and U.S., which actually helps me. Since my expectations are lower...I have a better chance of liking it. ;-)
The newspaper reviews have mostly said the novelty is wearing off...that it's essentially the same story five times. I can see why they think this, the movies have to cut so much that they miss the nuances and details of the books. But I don't think this is going to bother any of the true fans.
I'm going to see the movie with some friends, but we haven't decided when to go. I'd rather wait for the crowds to die down some.
(Ginny never gets enough lines!!!!) ;-)
Kazza the Blank One
After the last two movies I was very "meh" about this one, not expecting much from it at all. Which is always a good way to go see a movie :)
Fleeced
It was an enjoyable movie... but the more I think about it afterwards, the more I realised it had quite a few pot-holes and other problems.
I didn't realise at the time because a) it moved fairly quickly; and b) my memory of the book was "filling in the blanks"
Little things like... why bother using thestrals and not brooms (in the movie, there was no reason they couldn't use their brooms), or why they didn't try to contact Order members like McGonagall, Hagrid, etc (in the book, they weren't available).
Anyway, just finished re-reading book 6... I'm getting increasingly worried about spoilers for book 7. I just don't see how info won't be leaked. And there will have to be a total ban on TV/radio until I'm finished - since they're bound to spoil it as soon as they find out. I find myself wishing the books weren't so popular, as then I wouldn't have to worry.
It would be fun to participate in some pre-book speculation about book 7, but I dare not risk a visit to the forums.
Kazza the Blank One
Yeah I'm worried about spoilers too. I'm avoiding some of the blogosphere and news sites. But what I'm most worried about is someone loudmouthing in the store on Saturday morning. I think I could be provoked into punching someone if that happened....
Fleeced
lol... yes - I've envisaged that happening as well. Founds myself getting quite angry at the mere thought of it.
I think I might be wearing headphones that day, as I line up outside K-Mart (they always have lots of stock) :)