I confess myself disappointed

Rating: 7/10 (9 July 2011)

I'm a huge fan of the Harry Potter series, both the movies, and the books, and I'm afraid that this one didn't shine, it was merely adequate.
First, there are many themes that continue through the books, and they weren't followed in the movie. Normally, I would say that this is just somebody being picky, but I was let down. Each book starts with a scene with the Dursleys, and although I was moderately disappointed with the absence of Dumbledore's lecture to the Dursleys at the beginning of the Half Blood Prince, I was OK with it. But to eliminate Dudley's farewell to Harry to me was scandalous! I knew it would be in the special features of the DVD, however, it was poorly acted, poorly directed, and looked like an afterthought. It was a conclusion to a main subplot and it's absence did not go unnoticed.
I was unhappy in general with the adaptation to film, and the directing. The scene on Privet drive when all of the order and friends come to take Harry for example. The dialogue seems unnatural and awkward, as well when Harry tries to sneak away from the burrow and Ron catches him, when Harry was speaking to Elphias Doge. In my opinion, somebody on set should have told Daniel Radcliffe to stop flashing his left hand every time he wanted to look serious.
And finally, there were too many things that weren't taken care of in a proper order, and instead needed to be thrown in haphazardly. For example, Bill mentioning being bitten by Grayback, Ron spurting out, "Did you say you needed a wand? I got one!". And it would only have taken a second longer for Harry and Ron to have their text dialogue after Ron returned (when Ron says"Dumbledore knew I'd leave", to which Harry says "He knew you'd want to come back"). I feel like that was an unnecessary change that takes from character development.
And I was very disappointed when Mundungus Flecher just looked down at an old newspaper and pointed out Delores Umbridge. It was so poorly done. He could have said anything there, "Short woman, dressed in pink, with this sickening little giggle".
But nothing disappointed me more than Dobby's death scene. It was too quick. He died, Luna closed his eyes, then Harry blurts out how he wants to bury him.
The whole thing just seemed too rushed, as if they didn't take the time to ensure that the writing was complete, and the scenes were filmed properly.
As well, as much as I love Bill Nighy, I feel like Scrimgeour should have been played by Peter Mullan. Just saying. Personally, I thing Bill Nighy should have played Olivander, and John Hurt should have played Xenophilius Lovegood.
I still enjoy the movie though. I just hope that I get the sense of conclusion that I want out of the second part.