whole new world of potter

Rating: 9/10 (4 June 2004)

the most amazing thing about cuaron's stab at the hp series is the new world that he creates for potter and gang to live in. the atmosphere is one with hints of fear and danger. it is shadowy, obscure. lost is the wide-eyed idealism of columbus' films. these are not children coming for the first time to the magical world of hogwarts, these are adolescents who, being accustomed to seeing magic around them, are beginning to understand the potential danger of their craft. the cinematography and camera work are outstanding in this movie. cuaron is able to communicate visually to the audience about the uncertainty of coming-of-age, the danger amidst the beauty in the real world, and the way that cross gender relationships can become uncomfortable when one is coming into their own body and sexuality. a lot of the camera work seems to be shot on hand-helds and even what is not seems closer to the cast, more personal. the kind of direction that cuaron imposes on the cast makes them better actors.
the movie, from a solely cinematic perspective, probably deserves a ten score. however, as a fan of the novel, there are some gaps in storytelling that are almost unforgivable.
***SPOILERS*** certain things seem just plain wrong for the avid hp reader. for instance, in conversation with harry, lupin makes reference to lily potter in a way to suggest that he had a sort of "special" friendship that is never alluded to in the books. similarly, all the talk of lupin's closeness to james potter almost vanishes from the dialog. if i had never read the book (as my friend who went to see it with me hadn't), i would have thought potter stole lupin's girlfriend, who would become lily potter, and that lupin was still resentful for it. one of the most endearing things about the Prisoner story is the way it sheds light on the harry's parent's lives--adds humanity and color to the dead family. the screenplay here doesn't deliver that and, truthfully, i don't think it wanted to.
another clencher is that the identities of moony, wormail, padfoot, and prongs are never revealed. neither is an explanation for harry's stag-shaped patronus. this is the real pity because there is ample opportunity to have done it in merely fifteen added minutes worth of time. it is a real shame because at least i feel (and from what i heard from the crowds after the movie let out) that it is integral to the story both dramatically and emotionally. even i could think of a way to put that stuff in. ***SPOILERS OVER***
all in all, as an hp fan (book 3 being my fave) i give the movie an 8 1/2, but as a moviegoer and filmfan, i give it an astounding 10*.