the GoF Movie

[kennahijja]

GoF impressions... very belatedly... very disorganised... and cut for spoilers (and probably people getting bored reading about it...)

Oh, yes, I liked it! Immensely, in fact, even more than PoA.
What struck me most was that the film really brought to live and made me love all the scenes I found a tad boring in the book - the tournament, the teen romance stuff. That, and that there was no mis-step at all in the visuals this time (unlike the werewolf in PoA...). It just *looked* gorgeous throughout, the World Cup, Beauxbaton's Carriage and even more so the Durmstrang ship, the Dragon (I'd been worried about those), the underwater world, the graveyard... All amazingly done.

My only serious WTF?!? moment was the World Cup, or rather, the lack of it... the only instance of bad pacing for me in an otherwise engaging and exciting film. Because, well, that was like 'oops, we showed all the lead-in and lead-out, but forgot the main event'. I grumbled at that for minutes, even at first seeing...

Loved the casting of the new characters, most of all Rita Skeeter (who stole just every scene she was in and the innuendo was *so* brilliant), and Voldemort (the second thing I was seriously worried about beforehand). Did not miss the red eyes at all. He was very different from my mental image, but the mixture of menace, restless energy and charisma, and I loved the sneaky-affectionate way he's got with his followers; I *saw* why they might want to follow them beyond being addicted to a weekly dose of the Cruciatus... And call me twisted, but I found him rather attractive (*she says, and hopes for an influx of Voldie-slash*). And the way his robe was formed out of shadows was just absolutely gorgeous. *And* I found him stroking Cedric's face with his foot beyond amazing (barefoot!Voldemort rocks!). And his expression while torturing Harry against that statue was borderline indecent! I loved it (*winks at annephoenix)

Oh, and of course there's Barty Crouch, who must be the best rendering of a colourless book villain ever! My, my... rather hot, that young man, wasn't he? Yep, Voldie gets the best minions...

Talking of minions, there was too little Lucius (but there *always* is too little Lucius), although his accosting Harry by cane had me squeeing, and it was *so* obvious how he was Voldemort's favourite in the graveyard, bitching about disloyalty aside :). Too little Draco too, though he made the most adorable of ferrets! (that was another brilliant scene, including frantic!Minerva and Moody sticking out his tongue behind her back).

The few moments Snape had just *shone*. The slapping Ron and Harry (my inner slasher squeed some more), the potions cupboard scene (and his *voice* when he 'compliments' Harry, the way he touches Dumbledore's shoulder after Cedric, and the look between him and Harry when the Polyjuice ingredient theft is cleared up... *sighs*. Snape just rules! Although his exposure as a Death Eater was ridiculously backgrounded, as if it was more of a hint than a crucial plot element :(.

The trio... mixed feelings. I've never had many problems with film!Harry and lack of emotional range, and neither this time round. The body language in the scene where he comes 'round the gravestone to face Voldemort was so intense it made me shiver. Ron... never worked for me at all until this film, where he is *not* just grimacing comic relief, but really gets emotions across. His fallout with Harry was done so very well, and I really, really liked him this time 'round. Hermione I found even more annoying this time 'round, too perfect and too foregrounded. I could see where the H/Hr shippers were getting their illusions from, because it felt lots like a duo than a trio at times, even after Ron and Harry made up (which my inner slasher also drooled over).

I had great fun with the 'no, this is *not* a movie for children'-innuendo throughout. From a bit of chan with Rita molesting Harry in the broom closet, to Myrtle molesting poor Harry in the bath (*rotflmao*), to the bath-talk of Harry and Cedric, to 'physical' Krum... amazing!

What did not work so well... Moody was an excellent actor, but he did not *look* the part for me - too young, not paranoid enough. I liked the looks of the school entrances (very pretty), but very much not the uncanonical 'pretty French girls' - 'tough northern guys' division. And I found Fleur's role very dodgy/sexist throughout as a champion - we're not given a reason for her abandoning the second task, and I was really annoyed by all the sobbing hysteria in the maze even *before* we get to see that Krum was after her. Too much a message of 'girls just can't cut it' for me. Cedric and Krum, on the other hand, were just right (and my inner slasher fell out of its chair at the Ron/Krum subtext after the world cup!).

Oh, and is it my imagination or was there a continuity error when the story about Hermione and Krum is in the DP before the ball even takes place? Another instance that bothered me was that very unmotivated singing trip with Hagrid through the woods just to make up an occasion to trip over Crouch's body.

Also, Dumbledore, wtf? Knocking Harry into the wall like that, and the near-hysteria every once in a while? Followed by the 'We've lost poor Cedric, woe - I really like burning curtains, Harry' thing...?

But wibbles aside, I really loved the film, and will certainly watch it again when it turns up in English at our local cinema again, in a month or two. Had great fun. And have yet to see that floating plate with toast hummelchen told me in vain to look out for...

Comments

[dementedsiren.livejournal.com]

OMG THANK YOU for your comments on the Quidditch World Cup. Seriously, it was a poor excuse for some Krum-loving, and while I wouldn't begrudge Ron his Krum-loving for the World, it just didn't fit.

Also, Dumbledore, wtf? Knocking Harry into the wall like that, and the near-hysteria every once in a while? Followed by the 'We've lost poor Cedric, woe - I really like burning curtains, Harry' thing...?

Oh yes - Dumbledore was a wee bit off his rocker in this one, and while it's nice to see good ol' Albus show his human side, again, it just didn't fit.

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

Of course if Harry can goo all capslock in book canon in OotP, we shouldn't begrudge Dumbledore the same in film canon ;). It's not that I think him incapable of it, just something I'd expect to be reserved for really nasty cases - Lucius, Voldemort and so on...

[lazy-neutrino.livejournal.com]

I would have liked to see the World Cup as well - the build up was so superbly done.

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

My only *real* wibble, really. I loved the film, and really want to see it again :).

[lazy-neutrino.livejournal.com]

I've just come back!

[lilith-morgana.livejournal.com]

most of all Rita Skeeter (who stole just every scene she was in and the innuendo was *so* brilliant),

The innuendo was SO MUCH LOVE. <3 Miranda Richardson should be promoted to Queen after GoF. (Yes, so I lust after her rather shamelessly but can you blame me?!)

And I agree with what you said about Voldemort - I knew Fiennes would pull it off the moment I saw that bit of casting rumour because if anyone can make the villains seem both attractive and disgusting and a bit mesmerizing it's him! (I still haven't gotten over just how much I lusted after Goeth in Schindler's List, btw. )

Lucius with the blond curls showing was cracking me up so much! Really sneaky, dear.

I get a feeling Kloves has no idea where he's going with Dumbledore, though. I think Gambon makes a better Dumbledore than Richard Harris, but I have absolutely no idea what the script wants us to think about the man. Then again I don't know what to think about the man post-HBP either but at least I'm getting these issues down in a fanfic - you should too, Steve. :)

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

(Yes, so I lust after her rather shamelessly but can you blame me?!)
Not at all! She was seriously hot with the 1930s-femme fatale look in the flashback!

I knew Fiennes would pull it off
I'd never heard of the actor before and so did not get all the excited whispering, but oh, yes, I really think this Voldie is attractive ;).

Dumbledore has always puzzled me in all possible ways, but panicky and out-of-control was among the few things I never associated with him...

[the-dark-twin.livejournal.com]

I agree about the subtext, or the innuendo, or whatever you want to call it - again and again throughout the movie I thought I was seeing things, I thought it was just me and the bad influence of all of you people around here that made me see hints and double meanings all over the place, but it can't be just me... it's quite amazing though how far they dared go with the innuendo. I mean, most of is is a rather disturbing sort of innuendo. It's not just "normal" teenage romance, it's about adults and children, it's about men and men, about boys and boys, about living men and dead boys, it's about just about anything that's wrong and disturbing and definitely not for the eyes and ears of children. But what a feast for the likes of us! *g*

Also, Dumbledore, wtf? Knocking Harry into the wall like that, and the near-hysteria every once in a while? Followed by the 'We've lost poor Cedric, woe - I really like burning curtains, Harry' thing...?

Yeah, maybe the rumours in the Daily Prophet about him turning senile are right after all... I think they were trying to foreshadow the "even Dumbledore isn't perfect" theme in OotP and HBP, but most of the time it just felt wrong. And even canonically, Dumbledore's lack of perfection doesn't manifest itself in him not being able to control his feelings and knocking Harry about, in the books it's rather that he's too kind to Harry than is good for him... so I'm not impressed about that, either. But oh well.

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

I'm certainly not sure whether the 'mundane' viewer would notice *quite* as much innuendo as those of us with a slash/smut-leaning mindset, but no, it's not innocent at all :). Of course maybe they thought *if* the thing has to be rated PG-13, they can just as well pull out some stops ;).

Yes, the depiction of Dumbledore would play into the Ministry's view in OotP, but of course the point of the book is that the Ministry is *wrong* and Dumbledore is not deranged... Which makes me very curious about Umbridge in the next movie :). And, totally unrelated, about Bellatrix...

[the-dark-twin.livejournal.com]

I'm certainly not sure whether the 'mundane' viewer would notice *quite* as much innuendo as those of us with a slash/smut-leaning mindset

I SINCERELY HOPE NOT!!!


(I was sorry not to get a glimpse of Bellatrix yet, too. Not that I love her that much but she must be a marvellous character to play, for an actor. Incidentally, have they started filming OotP yet? Is there any info on the casting to be had yet? I'm totally out of the loop...)

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

There was non-denied rumour that Helen MCrory had been cast as Bellatrix, which would just be terrific.

[the-dark-twin.livejournal.com]

Ah. I think a trip to IMDB.com is in order, so I'll know what I've missed so far. Thanks for the info! :)

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

Wish I knew, but I'm usually the last who finds out about such things :). But if you've friended the d_s or hogwarts_today, I'm pretty sure if anything happens, they'll have it.

[clen3k.livejournal.com]

You've just about summed up what I liked most about this movie. The innuendo was just so perfect. I remember that when the Rita/Harry 'interview' happened I just sat with my mouth open in incredulous joy. And that was just the first hint of what was to come. Voldemort was gorgeously cast/acted. The robes, the hands, the bare feet... *melts* Sort of disturbing really, but I can't help myself. *g*

I also agree about two things I disliked. Dumbledore. I knew from the first teasers I saw, I couldn't expect anything good from that direction, and unfortunately I was right. The World Cup left me blinking at the screen in confusion, so that I almost missed the next scene and the Ron teasing.

But despite everything I still loved the movie.

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

But despite everything I still loved the movie.
Oh, yes, so did I - it just flows so well, not a moment wasted, and even the comic relief in the middle can lessen the impact of the graveyard. Just as I'd hoped...
(oh, and welcome!)

[captainjames.livejournal.com]

I really like burning curtains, Harry
Hahaha! really? I have to see that!

I'm also very much looking forward to seeing Voldemort. Most people say he's great... we'll see. While his appearance doesn't worry me (I've seen pics and he doesn't look like I imagine him, but then again my mental image of him is a generic white-skinned, red-eyed, noseless man), I do have a very clear image of his personality and I simply cannot imagine any other way (unlike with most other characters, with which I'm pretty open to most relatively-IC characterisations). My (so to speak, of course) Voldemort is very charming in a seductive way, a strong, commanding presence and yet not loud or physical (*snort*). Bah, I'm rambling. In any case, it's only a day and a half till I see it! I don't expect it to be oh so perfect, I just want to be entertained for a couple of hours, so any way the film goes I won't be disappointed :).

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

Voldemort... yes, I had a rather clear image of him too, which *was* different physically, but the film version carried it perfectly for me. More towards the charming/seductive than I'd have expected. I'm curious whether he fits with your expectations. And you should *almost* have seen it by now, right?

[captainjames.livejournal.com]

A few hours more ;).

[dreamyraynbo.livejournal.com]

lol, I am so with you on all the slash squeeing :P Of course, I guess most of us probably are! And, yeah, Dumbledore sucked. *nodnod*

I didn't get the whole thing with the DP story about Hermione and Krum the first time I saw it, but it made more sense the second time, since Krum was the one who tried to kick Rita Skeeter out of the tent after Hermione and Harry hugged. Oh, and I agree that there was waaaay too many Harry/Hermione innuendos in this :/

But Neville was awfully adorable, wasn't he? *snuggles* And Fleur was...boring. I didn't take it so much as sexist since the films make a pretty good show of providing strong female roles, but it was still highly annoying.

Nice review, thanks! *hugs*

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

I didn't get the whole thing with the DP story about Hermione and Krum the first time I saw it, but it made more sense the second time, since Krum was the one who tried to kick Rita Skeeter out of the tent after Hermione and Harry hugged.
Gods, I hadn't even thought about that! That would make *so* much sense - only that the article made Hermione look like the guilty party there...

Oh, and I agree that there was waaaay too many Harry/Hermione innuendos in this :/
Especially since it's not going to happen... and honestly, the H/Hr extremists are embarrassing enough for the fandom without needing extra water on their mills.

[dreamyraynbo.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't think Rita was so much looking for revenge as that she just realized there was the potential for a great story. Hence her grin and "I've got what I want" comment.
Reporters, ain't they great? :P

[annephoenix.livejournal.com]

....Voldemort is totally getting off on Harry writhing and screaming and OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, Cruccccccccio :D. A dream come true. I never believed WB had it in them.

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

Mmmh. I thought of you during that scene, I swear I did. Grinning very cat-like, too ;). And that icon is gorgeous!

[siamkatze.livejournal.com]

Agreed on all things... Except that I didn't think Voldie was hot in any way, he was just creepy. :-p But Barty Jr. was awesome, it was good that they included him more in the film than he was in the book. I did like Moody, though, I thought they got his character spot-on.

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

*grin*
My definition of 'hot' can be rather warped at times, granted ;). I liked Moody's performance, it's just a matter of looks - like Remus in PoA, who played perfectly, but gave me trouble visually...

[siamkatze.livejournal.com]

I didn't like movie!Remus and movie!Sirius at all, because they looked so different in my imagination and I don't really want to lose that image. My book!Moody looked different, too, but somehow, the movie version didn't bother me as much.