Harry Potter and the Movies that Wasn't...

[fajrdrako]

I went today to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in a real live movie theatre, and it was a fiasco.

There was something wrong with the projection equipment - first the sound messed up (twice) and then the film stopped. Twice. And then they couldn't get it started again, explaining that it would be at least half an hour till the movie resumed and we'd end up missing a section anyway. We got passes to see it again.

I'm thinking of going on Saturday.

We got as far as the scene where Luna Lovegood is telling Harry about her mother.

This time round, it bothered me a little that many the characters look as if they are adults pretending to be younger than they are.

Comments

[lauradi7.livejournal.com]

It sure is obvious (if you didn't already know people that age) what a big difference 2 or 3 years can make - DR is a nearly 18 year old playing a somewhat less than 15 year old. The Phelps twins, who play Fred & George, are 21 now. (and if Mrs Weasley still can't tell them apart, I can).
On the other hand, John Cusack played a teenager well into his 20s, and got away with it.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes - a lot depends on the individual. I was able to believe that Tom Welling was a teen-aged Clark Kent even when he was in his mid-twenties. But the Phelps twins? They just didn't look like teenagers to me. I still adore them, but my suspension of disbelief kept slipping.

[filkferengi]

I was used to Tom Welling on "Smallville" & then saw him as the judge's boyfriend on "Judging Amy." Talk about dissonance; it seemed almost statutory. ;)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Kind of fun to have our expectations/perceptions messed with, I think. Sometimes seeing through the actors' illusions, sometimes not.

[auriaephiala.livejournal.com]

How frustrating!

We went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last night at Silver City, and, aside from some minor scratches on the film, it was fine. The time before, though, we had a problem much like yours. It really spoils the experience.

When I read HP5, I had a real sense of doom waiting for someone important to die; the movie didn't have the same effect, partly because I knew the ending (though I'd forgotten some of the details), but also because so much was left out. I thought the precis-ing of the film was well done, but it did leave the film feeling rather rushed.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

aside from some minor scratches on the film, it was fine.

Even so... monsieureden tells me that they had the same experience seeing it in Michigan. I am surprised. I really thought the technology of movie theatres was better than that these days. I had been concluding that the South Keys cinema just couldn't afford proper upkeep. Or is it possible that in the movie-maker's haste to create a distribute so very many copies of this movie, they produced something somewhat substandard?

My reaction to HP5 was that the book was kind of gloomy and dragged; it made the movie much more palatable to me.

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

At opening night, our film split in two. I thought there would be a riot. But they got it working again in ten minutes, people yelled 'Voldemort's back!', we got free passes anyway and all was well.

I seem to have had no trouble with the ages.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

our film split in two. I thought there would be a riot

What, are they passing out defective copies of this movie? It's only been around for a week!

Everyone in our theatre was surprisingly good-natured about it, except my friend Sandi, who put on her schoolteacher voice, scolded the usher, and demanded better treatment. Good for her! There was actually quite a bit of laughter and joking about it, and no one seemed even unduly upset to have to stand in line for the free passes afterwards.

Most people had no trouble with the ages. I'm the only one I know of who even noticed, and I usually don't notice that sort of thing. But - especially with the twins - I felt from time to time that I was looking at grown-ups dressing up at children, the illusion didn't quite hold.

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

My friend Kat was bothered by the twins' ages in the third movie, lol. She thought they already looked about thirty by then.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think they do look older than they actually are - which is unforunate, under the circumstances! But it's okay. They're still such fun, and so nicely in character, regardless of age.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

Most of them are, now. This is what happens when the books each take place over a year's time, and the movies each take 1 1/2 years to produce.

Still, it's a lot better than the producers trying to recast new kids for the later movies, and decidedly better than no more HP movies at all...

I'm afraid those are the only other choices [g].

Sorry about the mess at the theater. When I saw Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in the theater (there, I've dated myself nicely), the projector broke about a third of the way in. We waited, nothing happened, they gave us passes, and we decided to catch the next showing (on another screen at the same multiplex). 1 1/3 IJatToD turned out to be about 2/3 too much. We should have waited until at least the next day. Of course, given IJatToD, perhaps we should have just passed altogether...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You're quite right, that changing the casting now would be a very bad idea, especially since the casting of all the characters is extremely good. I'll just have to get over being conscious of the age thing. Usually I am not - I am heartily in favour of being age-blind in most circumstances.

When I saw Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in the theater (there, I've dated myself nicely)

Dear girl, I'm sure I am way older than you. You're just a young thing.

Of course, given IJatToD, perhaps we should have just passed altogether...

True, but how could we have known that beforehand? At least you had the young Harrison Ford to look at.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

Well, I was married at the time. Does that push me any higher in the "I'm older than you are" stakes?

As long as Harry's not using his broomstick as a cane by the end of the seventh movie, we'll be okay.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I was married at the time

I don't remember if I was... probably not.

Does that push me any higher in the "I'm older than you are" stakes?

I've no idea! I'm currently 54. Born in 1952.

As long as Harry's not using his broomstick as a cane by the end of the seventh movie, we'll be okay.

I think now that Daniel Radcliffe is good enough to pull off a wide span of ages, and it's amazing what they can do to make actors seem older or younger now.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

I've no idea! I'm currently 54. Born in 1952.

Okay, you've got me beat [g]. I'm 48, born in 1959.

I think now that Daniel Radcliffe is good enough to pull off a wide span of ages, and it's amazing what they can do to make actors seem older or younger now.

His height (or lack thereof) helps, too, although I imagine he doesn't think so.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

you've got me beat [g]. I'm 48, born in 1959.

Okay, now we know! You get to call me an Old Thing and I get to call you a Yung'un.

His height (or lack thereof) helps, too,

I hadn't really noticed, but you're right... He certainly looks short next to the twins!

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

Okay, now we know! You get to call me an Old Thing and I get to call you a Yung'un.

Spiffy [g].

I got curious, went to the IMDB, and Daniel Radcliffe is 5'6". At eighteen, I bet he doesn't grow much more, either. Rupert Grint is 5'10" and even Emma Watson is only two inches shorter than Radcliffe, at 5'4". The one who grew far more than his character did, though, is the kid who plays Neville Longbottom. He still makes the shy, shambling bit work, though.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I got curious, went to the IMDB, and Daniel Radcliffe is 5'6".

Which I'm sure is very helpful in his role as Harry, passing as few years younger than he actually is.

even Emma Watson is only two inches shorter than Radcliffe, at 5'4".

Make them work rather well together, though both are fairly short for actors.

The one who grew far more than his character did, though, is the kid who plays Neville Longbottom. He still makes the shy, shambling bit work, though.

He's really extraordinarily good.

[duncanmac.livejournal.com]

Ouch. Sorry to hear that is how the OSFS excursion turned out. :-(

I still have yet to see the movie. I hope to later this week ... if I am not too exhausted. Being awakened after just a few hours (because the other roommates are off to work just 3-4 hours after one has turned in) really ruins a night's sleep.

No wonder I'm becoming a caffeine addict. :-(

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear that is how the OSFS excursion turned out.

Not one of our more successful excursions.

I still have yet to see the movie. I hope to later this week ...

I am personally still somewhat surprised and impressed by how many people still want to see these movies (incuding myself), and their enduring popularity.

I don't think your problem is being awakened, I think your problem is inability to get to sleep again immediately. Caffeine is counter-productive!

[spherissa.livejournal.com]

Evanna Lynch makes a wonderful Luna though.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

She was quite wonderful!

[(Anonymous)]

...and randomly random, she made her own earrings...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I didn't notice them! Must look next time.