Seriously, read the stinking book
By Julie Maurer
By Julie Maurer
(Editor's Note - Read this First! ... The following column -- the first in a new feature here at DDM -- contains many plot spoilers for the movies and books, "Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." If you haven't read the books or seen the "Half-blood Prince," please don't read further. -rs-)
Yes, I understand
that by the time most of you will be reading this, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince will have been in theaters for almost a month. But hey, I’m going to talk about it anyway.
When it comes to the Harry Potter movies versus the books, there are traditionally three schools of thought: some believe they should be judged as a separate entity from the books, others maintain they are excellent companions to the books and some avid readers believe the movies are just terrible because they hack everything decent out of the books (wow, those people are bitter).
I typically fall into the middle group. I love the books, but I also enjoy the movies and look forward to some of my favorite scenes becoming reality on the big screen. What I did not enjoy was this lady sobbing hysterically behind me in the movie theater at the end of the movie, but I digress. My husband makes the mistake of asking me (he has not read the books) after each film what was different in the books, and that gets me all riled up.
Usually, he can calm me down as we discuss the pacing of the film and how things were cut to save time or to add dramatic effect (i.e. that’s not how Harry and Ginny’s first kiss went). So overall, I loved the film. I thought the acting was superb (except for a few Hermione moments), especially on the part of Draco, Harry and Snape. And Ron was hilarious. Plus, I know that J.K. Rowling approves the scripts and the movies, and let’s face it: this is her world.
Be that as it may, there are a few cuts/alterations in the film version from the books that have me a little concerned and sad. Some, in my opinion, changed defining moments for characters, could impact the seventh (broken in two parts) installment and take a little away from the heart of the series.
Be warned, there are tons of spoilers here. So don’t keep reading if you haven’t read the books or seen the movie. But come to think of it, why have you read this far if that’s the case? So here are my top ten differences between the books and the movies:
When it comes to the Harry Potter movies versus the books, there are traditionally three schools of thought: some believe they should be judged as a separate entity from the books, others maintain they are excellent companions to the books and some avid readers believe the movies are just terrible because they hack everything decent out of the books (wow, those people are bitter).
I typically fall into the middle group. I love the books, but I also enjoy the movies and look forward to some of my favorite scenes becoming reality on the big screen. What I did not enjoy was this lady sobbing hysterically behind me in the movie theater at the end of the movie, but I digress. My husband makes the mistake of asking me (he has not read the books) after each film what was different in the books, and that gets me all riled up.
Usually, he can calm me down as we discuss the pacing of the film and how things were cut to save time or to add dramatic effect (i.e. that’s not how Harry and Ginny’s first kiss went). So overall, I loved the film. I thought the acting was superb (except for a few Hermione moments), especially on the part of Draco, Harry and Snape. And Ron was hilarious. Plus, I know that J.K. Rowling approves the scripts and the movies, and let’s face it: this is her world.
Be that as it may, there are a few cuts/alterations in the film version from the books that have me a little concerned and sad. Some, in my opinion, changed defining moments for characters, could impact the seventh (broken in two parts) installment and take a little away from the heart of the series.
Be warned, there are tons of spoilers here. So don’t keep reading if you haven’t read the books or seen the movie. But come to think of it, why have you read this far if that’s the case? So here are my top ten differences between the books and the movies:
Dumbledore’s Death scene: This change, I do not get at all and is probably the one that bothers me the most. If anyone else understands why, please let me know. In the book, Dumbledore has Harry locked away in a spell, making him unable to move at all and help. It is one of the most heartbreaking moments in the book, because he is tries so hard to move and only knows Dumbledore is dead because the spell is broken and he can move again. In the movie, Dumbledore just tells him to hide below and Snape dupes him into waiting there as well. I believe this was a change to Harry’s character (and his past actions show it), because unless he was held there by magic, Harry would have defied orders and tried to save Dumbledore, because that’s how he rolls.
Half Blood Prince: I don’t know, it was JUST THE TITLE OF THE MOVIE! So why was it just a throwaway line in the film after the Harry/Snape battle? I had three people, who never read the books, and ask me who the Half Blood Prince was and why the movie was called that. I know they had to edit for time, but since it was the title, they probably should have given it more credence.
Oh Weasleys, wherefore art thou? Is anyone concerned about the serious lack of the two oldest Weasley brothers, Bill and Charlie? Specifically to this movie, Bill. Where is his romance with Fleur? Their wedding, in the seventh installment, is when things start to really go sour. Plus, the newlyweds provide a happy hideaway for the three main characters on the lamb. I just think if Bill shows up randomly in the last movie, it’s going to be weird. Plus, I love the Weasley family and I want more of them! (end tantrum)
Dumbledore’s funeral: OK, this one is for selfish reasons, but in the book it was so beautiful and I was really looking forward to seeing it on screen. Alas, it was not to be. But someone suggested that it might be there that the seventh film begins. One can only hope.
Great battle: Don’t get me wrong, I got chills when Bellatrix was running through Hogwarts smashing things. But what about the cool wizard battle between the Order of the Phoenix and the Death Eaters to try to get into the tower where the Draco/Dumbledore/Snape business was taking place. I know they have to cut scenes, but really climatic action sequences? Really?
Dursleys: I hate Harry’s “family” as much as the next person, but the scene in the book where Dumbledore shows up at their house is HILARIOUS. And I would have much rather had that than the made up scene of Harry getting his flirt on in a diner. You can’t use pacing as an excuse for that one.
R.A.B.: (Spoiler to the max) They conveniently mention Regulus Black in this film, although he is mentioned in the fifth but not the sixth. Not a big deal, you may say? After the publication of the sixth book, it was not obvious who R.A.B. was (the horcrux stealer). My friend who watched the movie and had not read the books figured it out right away. Way to take some of the mystery out of it for the people too lazy to read the books, filmmakers.
Sweetheart? Wait, when did Lupin and Tonks get together? Why did she call them sweetheart? I’m confused! Oh wait, it was in the book, at the end. If you are not going to have that romance in the movie, except with that throwaway endearment, let’s leave it out together. Otherwise, I want the full on drama.
The break up: OK, I guess they didn’t want to add sadness to the sob fest at the end of the movie (and to be honest, I don’t think crying lady could have handled it), but Ginny and Harry break up at the end of the sixth book. Sure, it all ends well, but it really demonstrates the bitter change in Harry as he grows up and is determined to defeat his enemy. Also, this scene makes fans cheer all the more during the epilogue when Harry, Ginny and their kids make their appearance.
The mirror: OK, so this one was really cut from the fifth movie, but I think it should have been thrown in the sixth because it’s very important in the end. The mirror Sirius Black gave Harry in the fifth plays kind of a big role in the finale (think Dumbledore’s brother and help from afar), and he mourns over it in the sixth, so this would have been a good time to sneak in the background info. The final installment is so action-packed, back story opportunities might be hard to come by.
Well, those are the key ones to me. I just want to reiterate that I LOVED the movie, but am also a psycho fan of the books. So what do you think? What scenes would you have done differently in the movie? Am I an obsessive loon? Send me your comments to thecrazybohemian@gmail.com.
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Julie Maurer is the news editor for two community newspapers in suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona. She is an avid bibliophile and writer, with a Dungeons and Dragons obsessed husband and a Chinese food obsessed dog.
Well, those are the key ones to me. I just want to reiterate that I LOVED the movie, but am also a psycho fan of the books. So what do you think? What scenes would you have done differently in the movie? Am I an obsessive loon? Send me your comments to thecrazybohemian@gmail.com.
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Julie Maurer is the news editor for two community newspapers in suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona. She is an avid bibliophile and writer, with a Dungeons and Dragons obsessed husband and a Chinese food obsessed dog.
