on the music and other stuff

Rating: 9/10 (31 July 2007)

I rarely notice the music in films but I did with the last 3 potter films.
John Williams music has always fitted well with popular fantasy movies for as long as I can remember and so does his score for Harry Potter. But he outdid himself with his score for Azkaban. His music for that movie really gave it that extra touch of magic (no pun intended) and wonderment and made what was already an excellent movie even better. I would have given him that Oscar he was nominated for.
In Goblet of Fire I too noticed the music but for the wrong reasons. It was too simplistic , repetitive and absolutely made my movie experience a lesser one. Just repeating a jingle in a higher tone doesn't raise tension, it jerks me out of my temporary suspension of disbelieve by irritating me.
So when I went to see Order I feared they hadn't been able to find someone to fill Williams shoes. But I was wrong, the magic is back. Nicholas Hoopers score is wonderful. At times it too bordered on the simplistic but when it shone, it shone like a full petronas. From the long sighs of the violins at the kiss to the low stabs of the strings during the battle, every major musical piece was full of delightful surprises.
So what about the other stuff? Daniel Radcliffe impressed me. He and the others kept growing steadily over the years but here I really felt he was a professional actor. Emma Watsons brows kept distracting me though, keep them steady girl.
Like all the others, I thought the fights were excellent but not just for the visual effects. The sound editing during the Dumbledore/Voldemort fight was spot on. I always appreciate the use of silence and the twirls of Dumbledores wand were effective and a wonderful nod to Cuarons Azkaban. I understand but regret the absence of Dobby, specially since Deathly Hallows where his presence marks important growth for Harry's character. But what I really missed was the sacking of Hagrid, it would have strengthened Harry's feeling of isolation and the (mistaken) absence of Order members would help explain his actions. But despite these shortcomings they did get the feeling right with this movie and that is quite an achievement, with all the slashing they had to do. Together with Azkaban, this is the best Potter movie.