So "Harry Potter 6" was released in theatres this past week, after much waiting (especially since they put off the release in November 2008 in favor of "Twilight", not that I'm complaining). I went to see it twice, once on opening night on Wednesday with a girlfriend, and once on Friday night, two nights later with DH and two other couples. I thought the movie was well done - acting, graphics and special effects-wise, but I was very sorely disappointed with the content. They cut out some very key scenes and sequences that, I felt, were vital to the continutation of series - as well as hard-core Potter fans who may have been waiting to see these key scenes/sequences on the silver screen.
The movie also leaves out some very key memory sequences that would lead into the final chapter of the Potter series. While Harry and Dumbledore delve into the Pensive to witness the memories involving Voldemort's childhood at the orphanage and Slughorn's tampered and untampered memories of Voldemort asking him about Horcruxes, we never get to see the memories that reveal Voldemort's ancestory, which are key in developing the story behind how and where Harry needs to find the remaining Horcruxes. Besides the brief hint that Harry may be a Horcrux too (when he touches Voldemort's ring and it reacts to him) just before Harry and Dumbledore leave for the cave, in this movie, Harry has no idea that what objects he will be looking for in the next movie. In the book, however, Harry lists off with Dumbledore what he needs to find...7 Horcruxes, two of which have been destroyed (Riddle's Diary, Marvolo's Ring): Slytherin's Locket (which they never mention actually belonged to Voldemort's mother and was passed down by Slytherin, as she is a descendant); Hufflepuff's cup; possibly something of Ravenclaw's and Gryffindor's; the snake, Nagini. Without this knowledge going into the 7th movie, I think they'll have to waste a certain amount of time figuring this out at the beginning of the next movie. I feel the scene where the Burrow is set on fire probably could have been deleted for a crucial Pensive memory scene involving the clues to the Horcuxes.
I was also disappointed that there was no burial scene for Dumbledore. I thought the whole scene after Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson) died in "Goblet of Fire" was more heart wrenching than when Dumbledore dies in this movie. I felt the memorial fell short for what the great Headmaster deserved. I'm also very disappointed in the fact that there was no formal break-up scene at the end of the movie between Harry and Ginny. In the book, Harry nobly tells Ginny they can't be together anymore for her own safety. This scene would show how much Harry would have to personally sacrifice to go off and fight Voldemort. However, since there is no relationship development in the movie between them anyway, I suppose a break up is not necessary. She only goes on to become his wife, why on earth would they need to develop their relationship? How lame....instead, Harry and Ginny's non-relationship is only touched upon as an afterthought thrown in by the writers at the end of the movie when Harry and Hermione are discussing important Voldemort fighting tactics for the next movie and Hermione says, "Ron's okay with you and Ginny, you know, but if I were you, I'd keep the snogging to a minimum around him." And that's supposed to be enough to satisfy our romantic hearts...
I must say though, that Daniel Radcliffe looked quite buff, despite that fact that he hasn't grown the the 6' that Harry is supposed to be by this book. He's really grown up a lot and is quite cute (from a sisterly perspective on my part). Bonnie Wright, who plays "Ginny" has grown up a lot and has become quite pretty. I thought that they still made her look quite homely in the movie, where in the book, Ginny is supposed to be have grown into quite a beauty and very popular among the boys.
Emma Watson is just gorgeous...no wonder all the Hogwarts boys are chasing after her! And Rupert Grint...well, while I've never found him attractive and still don't...he has impeccable comedic timing. This movie was much more light-hearted than any of the other films. It still had its dark parts, but I found I was laughing a lot throughout the movie, which did make it refreshing.
Overall, I'd give it a 9 for cinematography, but maybe only a 5 for actual content satisfaction...
