Very Saddened

Rating: 5/10 (16 November 2005)

Let me first start out by saying Book 4 is my favorite so far from the series. I was extremely excited, yet scared about what they were going to do to the book when adapted for the screen. Well let's just say all of my fears came true. I gave it a five only because the movie if standing alone is good to watch, but from a fan's standpoint (being compared to the book) is horribly saddening. I know it's a huge book and there is a lot of information in it, but there was so much that they could take out of the movie and replace it with more story and character building time. Examples (spoilers): In the beginning what is Barty Crouch doing there with Lord Voldemort and Wormtail (that's supposed to be secret till the end), and why weren't the Weasley's and Harry (where was Bill) in the Minister's box at the World Cup?? This made the Weasleys look unimportant. At the World Cup that's where they should have put in moreaction, instead the scene is gone in like 60 seconds, they are all celebrating and then boom the Death Eater scene which was CHEESY!!!! No muggles were tortured in this scene, which I feel shows you the true intensity of the Death Eaters. Next we are on our way to Hogwarts and so are the Durmstrangs and Beauxbatons. Now I can understand why they rushed this part. Let's get to the fun stuff. More Blah, Blah, Blah... The Tri-wizard Tournament was way off base from the true text, the whole fight with the dragon was way tooooo stretched out (where's Charlie Weasley?)and the fight with the Grindylows was not at the end of the second task, but in the beginning. I felt the director was trying too hard to make the scenes intense, but there was no need you were already on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens to Harry. The third task is the most disappointing-they were supposed to test their knowledge and skills, not run around and try not to get sucked in by the maze bushes. The Voldemort re-birthing was okay, but that's where they should have extended a scene. VOLDEMORT IS BACK, hello this should be the most intense part of the movie. The whole movie is built up around this ending and all I am saying is, that's it???? Ralph Fiennes is a wonderful actor and I expected a lot more from him. The make up sucked, you could tell it was him. Voldemort shouldn't have a cuteness to him. My last complaint is the end-wait a minute was there an ending-do not know because it was rushed by sooo fast I wouldn't be able to tell you what happened unless I had read the book. I loved the first two Harry Potter films, that is what got me hooked on the books and becoming a fan. The films stayed true to the books, even though people think that they were childish-they were and so were the books. I became disappointed with the third movie. It begins a series of omissions that made the books. Yes these books are long, but if adapted correctly Harry's story will be told just as it is in the books. Plus I believe that true fans will stay and see a long movie....The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was long and stayed true to the books, even though there were story lines omitted it did not affect the heart of the book. I think it's time for a new screenplay writer (Fran Walsh and Phillipa Boyens anybody??), it needs fresh blood. Also is there a reason J.K. Rowling is letting her books be butchered?? The director Mike Newell was good, better than Alfonso, but there was just a lot missing. Okay I could go on forever, but here it is in a nutshell. Go and see the movie you will enjoy it, but if you are a fan of the book set everything you know about it aside, because well you will be disappointed. I am looking forward to book number 5, hoping they will do it justice and make a long movie with a true storyline.