First Impressions of Harry Potter 3
I went to see the movie the day it came out in the US, June 4th. Before I went I wrote some expectations I had in the movie, and things I wanted to see. When I came back I wrote down what I saw and general impressions.
This list is very picky concerning differences between the book and the movie. And though I tried to see the movie as its own story, I could not help but make comparisons. This is written in a stream-of-consciousness mode, much like my First Impressions of Snape in OOtP. This was made with one viewing only, so lines and instances will be vague and 'something' will be used a lot. Of course, when it is released on video\DVD, expect a more full review of Rickman's acting.
And, need I warn you, this is heavy into spoilers, so if you haven't seen the movie, do not read this. Or read the first part but not the second.
Friday, June 04, 2004, 9:52:39 AM
This is written BEFORE seeing the movie:
Things I am eager to see in HP3:
1. How Rickman handles the final letdown (the part when he says "OUT WITH IT POTTER, WHAT DID YOU DO?") Perhaps its because there is such a surge of emotion in this part (the last part of the book) and I really hope there is a confused mass -- it should look uncomfortable [Rickman's Snape, having controlled damn near every part of his face, is not used to screaming -- will it happen in the movie?] Really its the first time we see Snape face some sort of emotion
2.) the DADA class (I saw a bit of this on the Today show -- and it positively made me giddy) -- see, I felt the animosity between Hermione and Snape and it was so cool this is just the actor in me coming out very cool. He held himself like the classic Snape -- sarcasm, but in that freaky Rickman way.
***if we see any sense of tension or hostility between Snape and Lupin. I am especially eager to see Thewlis and Rickman and how they deal with this*** again, about the relationships between characters.
3.) The reaction of the boggart scene in the theater
4.) The hatred and animosity between Oldman (Black) and Rickman.
5.) How (or even if) the history of the Marauders incident is revealed. Will Snape say it in a monologue? Or a flashback? Or a funky combination of the two?
6.) How Rickman reacts to the Marauders map insulting him. (I know this scene is in there because I saw a little ditty about it)
7.) How Rickman shows any anger at having a boggart look like him
8.) Neville / Snape and hostility there (we need to establish why Neville would have an especial fear of Snape -- this is done by the shrinking solution scene in the book, but what will do it here?)
9.) Basically I hope to see an emotional arc in Rickman. He's a good enough actor to show it, but I hope the script and action will allow him to do so.
10.) The big-headedness of Harry Potter -- will we see a 'Famous Harry Potter' speech? I hope.
I went to see the movie on Friday, June 04, 2004, 4:50 PM
This is written AFTER seeing the movie: Finished 10:09:46 PM
I warn you -- spoilers ahead!!!
(First I'll respond to the numbered 'expectations')
1.) Really there was no let-down == he just looked very furious. I did see an odd contortion when he said 'Give me a reason" And the line "You two bicker like an old married couple' cracked me up. But I did see an additional level of animosity
2.) the ONE scene they had together you could sense the animosity from Snape, but not from Lupin. (It was the line 'a walk in the moonlight')
3.) They laughed
4.) I saw it, but the reason given (because Black is a wanted criminal) was weak. I swore, that Snape was closer to killing Black, and for once I believed it.
5.) No god-damned mention of the marauder's incident
6.) Very amusing. In fact, this whole scene is amusing.
7.) none
8.) none
9.) A little arc. Tiny. But with no past history, it was very hard to see.
10.) No, we kept seeing the 'how extraordinarily like your father you are' speeches -- 'except the eyes'
(now I will rant. You have been warned.)
General Movie Ranting:
Lupin had an incredible air of pompousness. Even during the SS incident he was like "I know what to do!", not even showing any emotion of Snape coming in, threatening Harry, then Snape flying across the room. In fact, when he's about to kill Pettigrew, nothing happens. He doesn't seem to be involved in the scene.
Lupin says the Marauder's map is a map despite the fact 1)He appears after Harry makes the map disappear, 2)he sees no indication that it is a map, and 3) there is no indication he was involved in the map-making process. And Harry doesn't ask!
What the HELL was the deal with the record player? Why did Lupin have cartoonish music playing while the class battled the boggarts??? And furthermore, why was 40's Big Band music playing while he was packing? That and the projector in the DADA class that Snape used are BOTH Muggle products. I can understand the cartoonish music, but the Big Band was completely unexpected.
The 'expelliarmus' spell makes an annoying 'click' sound.
WHY WHY WHY does Lupin mention Lily and how great she was, and how she helped him through 'hard times'? The whole scene is about Harry and his father/mother, yet Lupin goes into that? This has GOT to be a hint, because it's nowhere in the books.
The last part (especially in the Shrieking Shack) went way too fast. Within a five minute time period, Sirius Black goes from being Harry's worst enemy to Harry's best friend. With the quick music, it makes it worse. Snape and Sirius are sparring verbally, and there is really very little evidence that Sirius was not responsible for Harry's parents death, and then suddenly Harry decides to knock Snape out?? I thought Harry had a little more sense than that.
I like the water motif used throughout, but I see no point. (look how many times water is used in the movie)
The fact Dumbledore needs to say something thematic and profound every time he speaks. The funniest case was a tie between the starting feast ('and happiness is never too far away, even in the dark', when he just got done talking about Sirius Black) and when he and Snape are talking and he says something about dreams ('dreams carry us away') both with absurd gestures
The courtyard looks like something out of Lord Of The Rings movie -- I was reminded of Rivendell.
Ron's internal cluelessness: "Where'd she come from?" after Hermione appears in class. This happens 4 times -- DADA, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, and the end when Harry and Hermione come back. Overall effect: funny.
The map itself was cool -- the way it folded out. Also the setup of how Harry discovers Pettigrew. (He is walking along a corridor at night. He has the map. He is walking west, Pettigrew (on the map) is walking east, toward him. Yet the corridor was dark. Harry gets scared, hears a sound, and slams into a mirror. There is a pause, and Harry is now facing east.) It was cool, though, that then the camera pans east on the map to show the footsteps and the curly label of one 'Severus Snape'. [which was big for effect]. People oohed and gasped in the theatre. Nice suspense.
The movie doesn't explain the significance of the nicknames! By the end of the movie, we don't know who 'Moody, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs' are.
This line said by Sirius Black: "Why don't you go and play with your Chemistry set?" This line made me so mad, for the following reason : Chemistry is a Muggle subject. Potions is no way in hell close to Chemistry. To even compare Potions (Snape's beloved subject) to some trashy Muggle 'science' made Snape obviously mad. However, the comment is uncalled for.
The idea that the soul is a physical thing that can be removed. Remember, Sirius Black was dead for a short part of the film. His 'soul' (which was represented in a blue point of light) was seen exiting his body, then entering again when Harry shoots his Patronus
Snape/Rickman Ranting: (unreferenced pronoun 'he' is Snape)
My biggest complaint is the absence of his history with the marauders. I suppose that made Snape's role a little easier to play, what without the complicated history. Still, a dynamic was missed with the omission of the part. It made Snape seem human -- as he could be afflicted with feelings. It made him much closer to fangirls. With the removal of that from the movie, he just seems like another teacher who cares for Potter's welfare and will save them because its morally right. While this is all fine and good, it removes from Rickman's Snape the hurt suffered during that time-- and perhaps a stronger source of hatred/animosity from Lupin and Sirius instead of one took his Defence Against the Dark Arts job and the other is a wanted criminal.
Now we go to shameless nit-picking.
There were a few lines that were OOB [Out-Of-Book] but completely fitting:
Some of the actions were interesting to watch (turning everyone's books to page 394, the fact he kept jabbing his wand down everyone's throat -- Harry, Sirius, Lupin)....
.....Yet some seemed unnatural (the fact he wouldn't take the map -- he insisted Harry read it -- Lupin was holding out the map, Snape went to take it, and Lupin took it back, the whole use of the projector). I thought Snape would want to see the evidence for himself. However, I also think that since Snape is managing the only light source, he would rather keep the light in Harry's eyes to prevent him from running away. Still, it looked rather childish for Snape to reach for the map in Lupin's hands, and for Lupin to calmly pull it away, like some adult saying 'no no, only Daddy touch'.
They left Snape in the damn Shack!! (at least they knocked him onto a bed)
Snape calls Hermione an 'insufferable know-it-all' -- I am surprised they kept that line intact.
Harry was kinda cheeky to Snape -- yes, Snape had his lit wand in Harry's face, Harry says 'I'd appreciate it if you remove your wand, sir', in a snotty tone. If I were Snape, I'd dock points then and there. [Actually, in the theatre, I wanted to slap Harry for being so snotty]. But then Lupin appears. In fact, no points AT ALL are docked OR given in school! Not even a detention! (Wait. Snape takes 5 points from Gryffindor for Hermione being 'an insufferable know-it-all')
ONE OF SNAPE'S LINES IS GIVEN TO LUPIN!!! This made me madder than perhaps it should have. In the book, Snape says "Your father didn't set much store by the rules either". Yet in the movie, LUPIN says this. It made sense in the film, but having such a commanding knowledge of Snape's lines made it very noticeable to me.
I was, however, happy that Snape taught the DADA position, if only for a day. That was perhaps my favorite scene ;)
Creepy low camera angles:: 1st shot of boggart Snape is just his hand, gripping the door edge (think Dementors) :: Snape and Dumbledore among the sleeping bags. I only noticed these because they have been used before.
There is a part where Snape leans into Harry and speaks threateningly, but not where it is in the book.
Actually, the entrance of Snape in the shack is not only sudden, but odd. Why the hell is HE in there? Of course, the movie doesn't explain. And our confusion is marked in the Trio's reactions on Snape's entrance.
And having read several reviews, I realised something. For someone who knows vaguely the world of Harry Potter, the movie was fresh, and remained true to the spirit. Liberties were taken, of course, but it was an enjoyable film. Yet someone like me, who has basically memorised the books, there was a noticeable difference. I suppose Harry Potter is different to remain faithful to (like Lord of the Rings).
I realise that this movie is in the spirit of the book. I also accept that some things are and will be different. However, I focused on what was different, not what was missing. Please remember that when you form your own opinion, no matter how familiar you are with the Harry Potter series.
PS: I only focused on Snape because he's the only reason I read the books, so my opinions may be a little biased.
Any comments are, of course, welcomed.