Don't See It

Rating: 6/10 (21 November 2005)

Dear Harry Potter fans,
The newest Harry Potter movie very roughly follows the book and has some really pretty scenes. The movie characters progress compared to the previous movies, they perform many of the same magic spells and feats in the books, and the scenes containing the feats are likable. You can enjoy this movie ... IF you are a Harry Potter fan and have done the following things:
1. You HAVE read the fourth book but definitely NOT RECENTLY.
2. You have given up trying to compare the books to the movies. The books are too delightful, too British (and would be well served to remain so and the American versions to regress a little), and develop the characters in a way that the movies simply can't or don't.
3. You realize that Dumbledore in the books bears NO Resemblance to the movie version or even the actor playing him in the first two movies, AND you are not offended by this pathetic excuse for a replacement. In fact, the new Dumbledore is so bad that it might be better to ignore him altogether in the movies. Admittedly, he is slightly better in this film than the 3rd film but so many of his actions are completely uncharacteristic of my idea of Dumbledore (by the plot or the actor) that it is offensive. The Book Dumbledore was never rash (like grabbing Harry after the Goblet of Fire scene), accidental in any way, and didn't defer to Fudge or Barty Crouch for a rule interpretation or "what to do next." Also, I don't care what the screenwriters put in for this actor, he needs to take that rubberband off his beard.
In summary:
Don't see this movie if you haven't read the book. You won't follow it and you'll be better off reading it and waiting for video.
If you have read the book, don't see this movie if you expect this to be anything except a visual replica of the prettier parts of the book.
For me, I enjoyed this film because my standards are sooo low. The movie has divorced itself almost completely from the book and yet uses the book as a crutch to skip plot points, take out key characters, and jumble scenes together. The book is large, detailed, and wonderful so it is understandable that they couldn't get it all into the movie. However, the book and movies are now different entities. I may or may not see the 5th movie because I am curious where the movie characters go but any of the movies will never be as moving and heartfelt as any of the books. The movie characters are no longer even close to my mental image formed from the books. The 3rd movie cleaved my mental image in half, and the 4th movie simply echoes the lack of similarity. More than anything, it is this divorce that creates a difficult line to ride for the true Harry Potter fan who wishes to enjoy the movies.
Good luck to you! I hope you enjoy it but you must have CONSTANT VIGILANCE to be a true fan of the movies. :-)
Guy