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HBP Review
Jul. 8th, 2009 08:08 pmIt has really happened!
To be honest, right until I was past the security guy I thought they would turn us away...
But I better start from the beginning.
I made an absolutely mad dash for the train station right after work and we made it record time. It didn't look good. Going towards London was like going into the blackest thunderstorm clouds I've seen in a long time. Luckily, when we arrived at Leicester Square, there was even a bit of sunshine :)
For an hour or so we stood among the screaming teenagers. The athmosphere was awesome. It was a mad mix of people coming from all over the world just to see the actors, lost tourists ("Que pasa? Que pasa?") unnerved Londoners - I had a banker scream into his mobile/my ear: "Leicester Square is a zoo! I am stuck here!" and teenagers crawling on top of each other to get better pictures:"Who is that?" - "I have no idea, just take pictures!"
Now, I didn't see Alan Rickman or Tom Felton *pouts* but I did see Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Helena Bonham Carter. Some of the pictures are not as good as I would like them to be, but we were jostled around like mad.
Daniel took his time and seemed a bit embarrassed, Emma kept throwing kisses (love her dress) and Rupert came and went in a flash...
Helena Bonham Carter seemed to be in deep conversation the entire time.
We stayed in the square for about an hour and then made our way to the charity screening premiere. The crowd was a really nice mix: perfectly made-up women in cocktail dresses with loads of pearls, families, grandparents with their grandchildren, teenagers, a group of pensioners... The only people I didn't see were: people in costume! WTF??
I had actually considered whipping something up but didn't have time, since it was such short notice. The only characters I could recognizably pull off are Hermione or Bellatrix. Even if I would have found a shop that sells school uniforms for sixth formers, I think I would look just ridiculous as a school girl (and I recently had an unpleasant fanfiction experience that nearly made me throw up, even though it was not even explicit...). In short, I was contemplating dressing up as a female Death Eater. I had the top, the black corset and the skirt laid out and decided against it at the last minute. So glad i did! I would have been a focal point, being one of two people in costume AND the only adult.
Anyhow, we all had to leave our mobiles and cameras with security and were searched before they admitted us to the cinema.
The film was to start at 8 pm, but since moving through security was slow going, it actually started at 8:45 pm.
And now, I am totally torn.
What to say without saying too much?
First of all, it is my favourite HP film so far. And it is a film to be seen on a big screen. The bigger the better. Aesthetically the shots were better than I have seen so far. They are really using the striking architecture to create some stunning images. This movie is a veritable treasure trove for fanvids, icons, manips, banners... Especially if you like Draco.
Although the movie is quite dark, it has funny moments. It was a pleasure to watch the film with so many HP enthusiasts. ALL of us got the inuendos, the references. Well, all besides Lordofclunn. Poor man kept confusing Draco and Snape. *hides behind cinema seat*
Harry has a dry wit about him that I didn't notice in the other movies. He is no longer a child, but you can see the strong wizard in him. AND they've grown up. I wasn't too much into any of the younger actors up to now, but.... my gods have they grown up! Finally we get the UST we all crave.
Some scenes have been changed from the book. In case of the tower scene I actually liked the film version better than the book one. In other cases - but you will have to see for yourself.
I liked the action (Death Eaters, Quidditch, the cave... *sigh*) and the quieter moments. I absolutely loved the imagery.
I felt the film didn't butcher the book as much as some of the others, but of course it can never do it justice. I laughed, I cried, I suffered with the characters and I hoped against hope that there would be a happy end. While I watched it it didn't occur to me, but looking back I think for a movie to be called Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, there should have been a bit more Half Blood Prince in it. They missed a bit out on how important the book became to Harry and how close he felt to the HBP.
BUT what is it about HP films and hair??? Hermione was blonder than ever, although at least more curly than last time - fine. What I don't get is: Narcissa Malfoy half brunette??? Narcissa-I-look-like-a-Veela-Malfoy?? WTF???
I am afraid to say anything else, but feel free to ask anything you want to know.
We made to our train back home with 2 seconds to spare (me running in my heels from the tube station!) so I missed out on the looting of the decoration on Leicester Square. Oh well, I had to get home, right? RIGHT?? ;)
If there is another charity screening next year, I am determined to go, take the day off work and secure a place closer to the red carpet, although I will not camp there for 30 hours, like some fans did. At least I don't think I will. Not alone, anyhow.
And I will take somebody with me who is a bit more of a fangirl than my husband ("So, do Harry and Harmony get together?"), I think he would also appreciate that.
Anyone game? I got a couch...
To be honest, right until I was past the security guy I thought they would turn us away...
But I better start from the beginning.
I made an absolutely mad dash for the train station right after work and we made it record time. It didn't look good. Going towards London was like going into the blackest thunderstorm clouds I've seen in a long time. Luckily, when we arrived at Leicester Square, there was even a bit of sunshine :)
For an hour or so we stood among the screaming teenagers. The athmosphere was awesome. It was a mad mix of people coming from all over the world just to see the actors, lost tourists ("Que pasa? Que pasa?") unnerved Londoners - I had a banker scream into his mobile/my ear: "Leicester Square is a zoo! I am stuck here!" and teenagers crawling on top of each other to get better pictures:"Who is that?" - "I have no idea, just take pictures!"
Now, I didn't see Alan Rickman or Tom Felton *pouts* but I did see Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Helena Bonham Carter. Some of the pictures are not as good as I would like them to be, but we were jostled around like mad.
Daniel took his time and seemed a bit embarrassed, Emma kept throwing kisses (love her dress) and Rupert came and went in a flash...
Helena Bonham Carter seemed to be in deep conversation the entire time.We stayed in the square for about an hour and then made our way to the charity screening premiere. The crowd was a really nice mix: perfectly made-up women in cocktail dresses with loads of pearls, families, grandparents with their grandchildren, teenagers, a group of pensioners... The only people I didn't see were: people in costume! WTF??
I had actually considered whipping something up but didn't have time, since it was such short notice. The only characters I could recognizably pull off are Hermione or Bellatrix. Even if I would have found a shop that sells school uniforms for sixth formers, I think I would look just ridiculous as a school girl (and I recently had an unpleasant fanfiction experience that nearly made me throw up, even though it was not even explicit...). In short, I was contemplating dressing up as a female Death Eater. I had the top, the black corset and the skirt laid out and decided against it at the last minute. So glad i did! I would have been a focal point, being one of two people in costume AND the only adult.
Anyhow, we all had to leave our mobiles and cameras with security and were searched before they admitted us to the cinema.
The film was to start at 8 pm, but since moving through security was slow going, it actually started at 8:45 pm.
And now, I am totally torn.
What to say without saying too much?
First of all, it is my favourite HP film so far. And it is a film to be seen on a big screen. The bigger the better. Aesthetically the shots were better than I have seen so far. They are really using the striking architecture to create some stunning images. This movie is a veritable treasure trove for fanvids, icons, manips, banners... Especially if you like Draco.
Although the movie is quite dark, it has funny moments. It was a pleasure to watch the film with so many HP enthusiasts. ALL of us got the inuendos, the references. Well, all besides Lordofclunn. Poor man kept confusing Draco and Snape. *hides behind cinema seat*
Harry has a dry wit about him that I didn't notice in the other movies. He is no longer a child, but you can see the strong wizard in him. AND they've grown up. I wasn't too much into any of the younger actors up to now, but.... my gods have they grown up! Finally we get the UST we all crave.
Some scenes have been changed from the book. In case of the tower scene I actually liked the film version better than the book one. In other cases - but you will have to see for yourself.
I liked the action (Death Eaters, Quidditch, the cave... *sigh*) and the quieter moments. I absolutely loved the imagery.
I felt the film didn't butcher the book as much as some of the others, but of course it can never do it justice. I laughed, I cried, I suffered with the characters and I hoped against hope that there would be a happy end. While I watched it it didn't occur to me, but looking back I think for a movie to be called Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, there should have been a bit more Half Blood Prince in it. They missed a bit out on how important the book became to Harry and how close he felt to the HBP.
BUT what is it about HP films and hair??? Hermione was blonder than ever, although at least more curly than last time - fine. What I don't get is: Narcissa Malfoy half brunette??? Narcissa-I-look-like-a-Veela-Malfoy?? WTF???
I am afraid to say anything else, but feel free to ask anything you want to know.
We made to our train back home with 2 seconds to spare (me running in my heels from the tube station!) so I missed out on the looting of the decoration on Leicester Square. Oh well, I had to get home, right? RIGHT?? ;)
If there is another charity screening next year, I am determined to go, take the day off work and secure a place closer to the red carpet, although I will not camp there for 30 hours, like some fans did. At least I don't think I will. Not alone, anyhow.
And I will take somebody with me who is a bit more of a fangirl than my husband ("So, do Harry and Harmony get together?"), I think he would also appreciate that.
Anyone game? I got a couch...
