Get over it please?

Rating: Null/10 (12 June 2004)

The problem when we take literature and turn it into a film, the reading purists never seem to be satisfied. The other problem is for the average movie goers, and why sequels are never good enough, is our expectations become too high for the film to succeed. Harry Potter is a series, not a trilogy, or whatever the correct term will be when all whatever are made. It is not one epic story; instead it is several small adventures that the characters experience. With that said, the ultimate "problem" Harry Fans are the fans that did not read the first book, until they saw the movie, then started reading, so in there minds eye, Daniel Radcliffe is used for Harry, and Columbus's vision of Hogwarts et all becomes our vision. So now we bring in another interpretation, and quite frankly I was very satisfied. This film had a more naturalistic approach to lighting and framing, and the Director used his style and the use of a grainier film to achieve something that this story has, that the others do not. A darker, more realistic use of imagery that goes hand in hand with the book.
Think back, Harry was a mere child during the first film, and his vision of life and Hogwarts was more mystical and surreal. But as he grows, his vision of the world changes, matures, becomes more real. Now being a wizard is more realistic, and almost mundane to Harry and his friends. The cinematography and imagery portrays this very well.
So get over it. The Harry we knew is now gone. So is Harry's innocence. I love's his outburst of rage and anger, it is very real.
I'll have to admit, the landscape felt different, but I also felt this was the first film that gave Hogwarts a true location. We didn't just magically appear in the Quiddich arena, or just show up to Haggeret's Hut; we saw where everything was in relation to another, giving a better sense of reality.
I like the change, though I will admit, still on my Director's Cut of LOTR kick, I would love a directors cut of this film to be longer, with more from the book. And that is why we have DVD's.
PS. I've read some chatter about the misplacement of the Whomping Willow. Can't there be more then one. It is Hogwarts by all means.