Has the Director ever read the book?....

Rating: 5/10 (19 November 2005)

As an avid HP fan I must say that the movie was huge let down. I mean the director or the scriptwriter...have completely missed the point of the book. The book is not only about how Harry wins the Triwizard tournament or how Lord Voldermont returns....yet it seems as though thats all the movie is about. All the interesting interactions of the characters have been cut for adding unnecessary mindless (however spectacular) action. The movie is VERY CHOPPY and never allows the viewer time to actually register any of the events. Though overall the movie was not at all what I expected here are some of the things that I really hated: Cheesy dialogs like Harry saying "I love magic" when he sees the tent for the Quidditch world cup.
Added footage to given to the first task, where as the tricks that Harry played on the dragon in the book seem so smart and exciting, the entire chase of the dragon in the movie seemed only aimed at showing off some special effects. Somebody needs to remind the makers of the movies that the fans do not go to watch HP movies to see a bunch of special effects.
The makers of the movie seem to have completely missed the point of the entire Ron-Hermoine scene at the end of the Yule ball. The reason why Hermoine is upset with Ron is more that he does not ask her for the ball himself and not so much that he spoils her evening as they have shown. Also, the way Ron keeps hinting at Hermoine never being able to get a date was stupid and very cruel, something Ron in the book is definitely not.
Harry actually tells Sirius and Dumbledore about his dream in detail, whereas in the book he seems to forget the details and only tells Sirius that his scar hurt. Also I would have liked to see Dobby and Winky and the whole SPEW angle of the film because, it shows Hermoine as someone who thinks of more things than just boys and balls.
Also, why does Hermoine keep hugging and kissing Harry unnecessarily?...I mean whats the point of putting things that are NOT in the book? If the makers already had less time to show all the things in the book why add such stupid irrelevant comments and scenes just to earn a few laughs? I agree, that the movie is finally made so that it sells, but I think that it could have been made into a much better movie by sticking VERY closely to the book and making it a bit longer. (its only 2 1/2 hrs...we cud watch more) I think the director did not understand that the whole point of HP books is not the sense of adventure alone but showing the existence of a whole different world with real people albeit with magical abilities and their struggles. If he did, he would not have made a half action half comedy movie with no time for any of the characters to really grow on the viewers.
However, I must be fair and add that it is not ALL bad.
The entire last sequence from the start of the 3rd task to Moody being captured was very well done. And I must say that Dan Radcliffe's performance during this entire sequence was absolutely brilliant!! The second task was also shown quite well and the underwater sequences are very pleasing and they mostly stick to the book.
Also, some of the humor was quite good and I guess the non HP-book fans really needed that kind of break.
But still I would say that this was the worst Harry Potter film till date and I am GLAD that they have a new director for the 5th book. (Someone please tell him to STICK to the book as far as possible and somebody please tell J.K Rowling to make sure her books are not turned into more soul-less movies like this one.)