A shallow representation of the novel

Rating: Null/10 (7 July 2004)

I've seen all three of the films produced so far and have read all of the novels out in print so I think I am qualified to say that the new movie is sadly lacking from the first two in depth of character and explanations. Until this film the studio had been careful to include all the scenes in the book producing a faithful representation of the novel as JK Rowling envisioned it. Much as the makers of the LoTR trilogy was painstakingly careful to produce a COMPLETE telling of the novels. In my opinion it was this change in format that led to the films being so very believable, emotional, enveloping, and ultimately popular.
This new film however has been noticeably glossed over and smoothed up. Most all of the characterizational diologue and sub-plot action in this film was removed or oversimplified into a pathetic gesture or, perhaps a weighted glance, shaving the story down to its large unremovable plot scenes and robbing the story of all its real feeling and emotion. The difference between this one and the other two being mainly the change of plot coverage from all REMEMBERABLE scenes to all UNREMOVEABLE scenes, not to mention the obvious drop in quality... Like the single quidditch match simplified to mostly shots of one character in a featureless "stormcloud" background not showing the depth and three-dimensional qualities of the first two movies; the change in characters (the fat lady, Crab and Goyle, Dumbledore?) Speaking of Dumbledore, did anyone else notice how much more shabby, scrawny, and disheveled this movie's portrayal of Dumbledore was, he is shown in far less impressive clothing, with less hair, colored salt and pepper and not the impressive white of the first two years, looking far less the worlds greatest wizard he was in the first films. Also, aside from a few arguments and a short scene of candy eating, most of the dialogue and character development between Hermione, Ron, and Harry seems to be missing from the story.
The relationships and characterisation of the three main characters is a major part of the story and even if the dialogue isn't specifically advancing the plot with every word. It is still a major part in establishing the bonds of friendship and the characterization needed to give the characters the depth and believability of real people. I don't believe this film will turn me from the series as a whole, however, it was editing and missing scenes that kept the animated version of LoTR from being the definitive film version of the novels, and the producers of the Harry Potter films are moving in a similar direction. It will be the next film that will determine whether these, eventually 7 films will be the magical Star Wars of our time or just another glorified overrated television show version of an outstanding novel by a gifted writer. The movie industry now needs to recognise the willingness of an audience today to watch a movie far longer than two hours for the sake of finishing a good story. In the end it will be a love of the films as respectable representations of the loved novels that will have me buying every DVD of every film. A predictable, flat, glossy, shallow version just may not be worth watching more than once or twice, not therefore worth purchasing... ?? I hope to see every scene I loved in the novel accurately and respectfully recreated in the new goblet of fire movie, a particularly good novel. I for one just hope the movie companies can keep their corprate, commercialised, advertising and product development people OUT of the editing room from now on I give it 6/10, because what they did bother to show was good to see