Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 - Discuss and Grade

[Mr Light]

Excellent Movie. Definitely the best non-Cuaron one. Very dark, very violent, very mature. My only real complaint is too much time in the tent, but that's from the book of course. I really cried when you know who died at the end. I wish they made a bigger deal with Moody though, they didn't even show it or show the characters' reaction to it!

Was not expecting to see a fully naked Harry and fully naked Hermoine making out

 

[C_Miller]

One think I'm really hoping to see in the finale is a bit more closure before the epilogue. I'm sounding like a broken record, but I really want to see some good character stuff after the final battle. Give Harry, Ron and Hermione a nice send off.

 

[DarthPipes]

I saw it a second time and I was able to enjoy it more. I still think they cut out too much stuff and it suffers from pacing issues, particulary in the last half. But there's a lot to like.

The dance was absolutely perfect. Too much of the books were spent with Ron and Hermione trying to build up Harry, yet it seems like he does nothing for them. These was probably my favorite scene and it shows why I love the movie version of Harry. He actually does care about Ron and Hermione.

I have no doubt that Book Harry cares about Ron and Hermione. But he's an emotional introvert on stuff like that, unable to express it. I think it's a British thing. That was one of the reasons in Book Seven that I liked the scene where Harry and Ron hugged after Ron returned in the forest. Or Harry hugging Mrs. Weasley in that same book. It was quite a breakthrough for his character to make that kind of display to someone.

Rowling also gives Harry tunnel vision when it comes to his own problems and tasks. And they're teenagers...I remember stupid fights I had with my best friends at that age.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Was not expecting to see a fully naked Harry and fully naked Hermoine making out

See, was that scene ever in the book?

My impression was that it was fanservice, much like Harry's bath scene in Goblet of Fire to titillate the young girls in the audience. I still recall the screams of excitement. In this movie, the Harry/Hermione scene might have worked for the older viewers as well. I could hear giggling when Harry dressed down to his undies (to retrieve the Sword of Godric from the bottom of the icy lake). Radcliffe did say in an interview he's comfortable enough with his own body.

Thus the PG-13 rating for "brief sensuality."

Edited for clarification

 

[C_Miller]

Was not expecting to see a fully naked Harry and fully naked Hermoine making out

See, was that scene ever in the book?

My impression was that it was fanservice, much like Harry's bath scene in Goblet of Fire to titillate the young girls in the audience. I still recall the screams of excitement. In this movie, that might have worked for the older viewers as well. I could hear giggling when Harry dressed down to his undies. Radcliffe did say in an interview he's comfortable enough with his own body.

It was kind of in the book. It was a lot subtler and more seductive. However, I don't think that it would have been as effective if it had more subtlety. Putting myself in Ron's shoes, the movie version would have enraged me much more than the implication that my best friend and the girl I'm in love with are together.

 

[DigificWriter]

Drone: The scene sequence with the images of Harry and Hermione popping out of the locket Horcrux IS in the book - and was realized pretty much word-for-word in terms of dialogue and visuals as described by JKR - but David Yates chose to shoot the kissing portion of the sequence with Dan and Emma either completely or partially nude (there's no mention of whether or not Horcrux!Harry and Horcrux!Hermione were clothed or naked within the text as JKR wrote it); it was a brilliant choice, stylistically, and really helps to enhance JKR's text and the intent of the scene.

 

[DarthPipes]

Yes, I do recall it's in the book. I agree the stylistic choice was excellent.

Does this make Slytherin's locket the ultimate Harry/Hermione shipper?

 

[C_Miller]

Yes, I do recall it's in the book. I agree the stylistic choice was excellent.

Does this make Slytherin's locket the ultimate Harry/Hermione shipper?

Next to Lavender Brown, probably (and the radio, of course).

 

[DarthPipes]

Details that I was disappointed not to see...

-Luna's room. Really wanted to see the paintings of Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville.

-Pictures of the Marauders and Lily's letter (and picture) in Lily's room.

 

[JD]

Well, there's always the DVD. Haven't some of the others had deleted scenes?
I have to admit, I've always been a Ron/Hermione shipper, so I was very happy in end when they ended up together. But, after this movie, especially the dance scene, I could definitely see a Harry/Hermione relationship. As well as the scene worked, I almost wish they could have found a way to tone down the romantic undertones to the scenes with just the two of them. For those of us who know who she ends up with it's aggravating to see those two looking so good together when they are supposed to be with the Ron and Ginny.

 

[C_Miller]

I have to admit, I've always been a Ron/Hermione shipper, so I was very happy in end when they ended up together. But, after this movie, especially the dance scene, I could definitely see a Harry/Hermione relationship. As well as the scene worked, I almost wish they could have found a way to tone down the romantic undertones to the scenes with just the two of them. For those of us who know who she ends up with it's aggravating to see those two looking so good together when they are supposed to be with the Ron and Ginny.

I agree to a certain extent. As a filmmaker, the chemistry between Daniel and Emma is amazing. You really can't create that kind of stuff, so I can understand that they want to use that chemistry. I like Harry and Hermione together, but I don't ship (Their relationship reminds me of a relationship, I'm currently having).

That being said, I will constantly defend the dance. I generally hate Harry in the books. He has tunnel vision and really only cares about himself and/or the mission. Ron and Hermione are constantly sacrificing for him, yet we never see little things like him getting Ron and Hermione gifts for birthday and christmas. Even the small scene of comfort like after she saw Ron and Lavender, which wasn't in the book. And the hug, when he saw Ron and Hermione are okay.

And the dance... he knew that Hermione liked Ron, even though the words were never exchanged between the two. He knew that she wasn't here so much for the goal, but to protect him and she let the man she loved walk out alone, because she needed to be there for Harry. Harry danced with Hermione for some sense of normalcy in their lives. For that short song, they were teenagers. Two best friends enjoying each other in a way that they have seldom gotten the chance to. If you look at it like that, it was beautiful.


Anyways, IMO, it works well in my mind from a storytelling standpoint and from a filmmaking standpoint. I mean, you really don't come by the kind of chemistry that Dan and Emma have together and as filmmakers, I doubt they want to waste that. There's a good chance David Yates won't get that lucky again.

 

[JD]

I can defintely see what you are saying, and despite what I said before do slightly agree with you. I guess I just wish Rupert and Emma could have ended up with the amount of chemistry her and Daniel have.
I do understand the what they were showing with the dance, I just thought it gave off too much of a romantic vibe.
And I definitely agree with you about the added stuff helping to show just how good of friends The Trio really are.

 

[C_Miller]

I can defintely see what you are saying, and despite what I said before do slightly agree with you. I guess I just wish Rupert and Emma could have ended up with the amount of chemistry her and Daniel have.
I do understand the what they were showing with the dance, I just thought it gave off too much of a romantic vibe.
And I definitely agree with you about the added stuff helping to show just how good of friends The Trio really are.

Yeah, it's unfortunate that Rupert and Emma don't have the chemistry that Dan and Emma have, but that's the way the cookie crumbles, I suppose. It's not that bad though. They could be Daniel and Bonnie. My God, I have better romantic chemistry with my roommate and we're both 100% straight males.

 

[Gaith]

They could be Daniel and Bonnie. My God, I have better romantic chemistry with my roommate and we're both 100% straight males.

Maybe it's the characters/writing and not the actors at fault? It makes sense that Ginny would want to jump Harry's bones - he's personally safe yet dangerous to be around, rich, a celebrity, etc. - but why would he want her, especially when the books' average-looking Hermione was upgraded to the gorgeous Watson?

I agree with whoever above said Radcliffe has nice chemistry with the Luna actress, but as a weird and unattainable spirit, it makes perfect sense for Harry to be interested in her. All Ginny really has to offer is her interest in him - which could be fun to watch, but the all-important Very Serious Tone requires that any sexual spark be downplayed.

How very telling that the films' most erotic moment is the product of an evil hallucination. No sex, please, we're wizards.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Chemistry or not, it's the attraction between characters that ultimately counts, as we all know how it all ends.

While I tend to favor a Harry/Hermione relationship, Ginny seems like a forced choice for Harry. At least I could see Ron and Hermione ending up together. Since PoA movie, they've been building up the romantic interest the two have for each other, the holding hands and awkwardness, etc. Harry wasn't even attracted to Ginny until HBP; he still kissed Cho Chang in OotP! Ginnie, on the other hand, has always had a crush on Harry since they met, and I suppose JKR couldn't think of any other possible partner for Harry that's almost on the same level of closeness as Hermione. Again, it's the attraction that matters. Kissy, kissy!

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

I gotta admit, it's my least favorite movie so far. I miss all of the Hogwarts trappings that have defined this series for so long. Too much of this movie was camping out in the woods agonizing over what to do. And while Daniel, Rupert, & Emma have all grown substantially as actors over the last decade, I don't think they're capable of carrying as much of the movie as they have to this time around. The earlier films benefitted from frequent appearances from a veritable who's who of British character actors-- Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Kenneth Branagh, David Thewlis, Gary Oldman, Brendan Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, etc. Here's hoping we get a great whopping helping of them in Part 2!

I also missed the larger kid cast, with only token appearances here by Neville, Ginny, Fred, & George.

And although each of the last 4 films have ended by killing someone off, I think none of the other deaths have quite had the raw, jarring power of Cedric Diggory's senseless murder in The Goblet of Fire. (It's really his father that sells it. He turns a melodramatic plot development into a genuine moment of indescribable anguish.)

I have to admit, I've always been a Ron/Hermione shipper, so I was very happy in end when they ended up together. But, after this movie, especially the dance scene, I could definitely see a Harry/Hermione relationship. As well as the scene worked, I almost wish they could have found a way to tone down the romantic undertones to the scenes with just the two of them. For those of us who know who she ends up with it's aggravating to see those two looking so good together when they are supposed to be with the Ron and Ginny.

I agree to a certain extent. As a filmmaker, the chemistry between Daniel and Emma is amazing. You really can't create that kind of stuff, so I can understand that they want to use that chemistry. I like Harry and Hermione together, but I don't ship (Their relationship reminds me of a relationship, I'm currently having).

That being said, I will constantly defend the dance. I generally hate Harry in the books. He has tunnel vision and really only cares about himself and/or the mission. Ron and Hermione are constantly sacrificing for him, yet we never see little things like him getting Ron and Hermione gifts for birthday and christmas. Even the small scene of comfort like after she saw Ron and Lavender, which wasn't in the book. And the hug, when he saw Ron and Hermione are okay.

And the dance... he knew that Hermione liked Ron, even though the words were never exchanged between the two. He knew that she wasn't here so much for the goal, but to protect him and she let the man she loved walk out alone, because she needed to be there for Harry. Harry danced with Hermione for some sense of normalcy in their lives. For that short song, they were teenagers. Two best friends enjoying each other in a way that they have seldom gotten the chance to. If you look at it like that, it was beautiful.


Anyways, IMO, it works well in my mind from a storytelling standpoint and from a filmmaking standpoint. I mean, you really don't come by the kind of chemistry that Dan and Emma have together and as filmmakers, I doubt they want to waste that. There's a good chance David Yates won't get that lucky again.

It's times like these when I wonder, "Dammit, can't the movies take some more natural creative liberties?!" Daniel & Emma just fit so beautifully together that it simply makes Rowling's ending wrong! C'mon! If Watchmen can change the ending, so can you!

 

[C_Miller]

Borgified, have you read the books? Because this is really how the book is written and I agree with you completely. I said earlier in the thread that when I see a series of anything end, I like it to be a summation of the work as a whole and the books failed at that. But because the movie did some key changes like a lot of nice little character moments between these friends that the book kind of forgot about (I stand by the fact that by the time Book Five came around, Rowling forgot that the were friends and simply wrote them as colleagues in battle). Because I disliked the book so much, this actually is my favorite movie of the series. Go figure... haha.

And I agree about Harry and Hermione. If I were a shipper, I would probably ship them. Opposites attract and an antagonistic relationship turing into a loving one, is probably the biggest literary cliche ever. It's at the point where if that's how you portray the relationship, it's a sign of weak writing (which I really think Rowling is a weak writer. She's great at the big ideas, but at least half the time has trouble implementing things and the little things suffer). I would like at least one time for a real relationship to be portrayed and I feel like Harry and Hermione have the potential for that. Throughout the books, she's never left his side and while he does get mad at her for things, he's always quick to come back. And if you're going from the movies, he does look out for her and does care for her. Maybe, I'm the weird one, but I'd rather have a relationship based on love, trust and respect, as opposed to one based on a lack of respect, anger and maybe a little bit of love thrown in.

 

[CaptainCanada]

but why would he want her, especially when the books' average-looking Hermione was upgraded to the gorgeous Watson?

I agree with whoever above said Radcliffe has nice chemistry with the Luna actress, but as a weird and unattainable spirit, it makes perfect sense for Harry to be interested in her. All Ginny really has to offer is her interest in him - which could be fun to watch, but the all-important Very Serious Tone requires that any sexual spark be downplayed.

They share an interest in sports (which, notably, the romance started the same year they started working closely together on the team).

 

[Mr Light]

I always thought that Ron and Hermione were destined for each other, but I thought that Harry should have ended up with Luna. I thought they were heavily leading into this with book 5 so I was pretty shocked when he got the hots for Ginny out of left field in book 6.

Maybe I have selective memory but Book Harry and Book Hermione seemed absolutely 100% platonic no matter what situation they were in. In fact weren't there passages about how Harry doesn't even see her as a girl or something like that?

 

[C_Miller]

I always thought that Ron and Hermione were destined for each other, but I thought that Harry should have ended up with Luna. I thought they were heavily leading into this with book 5 so I was pretty shocked when he got the hots for Ginny out of left field in book 6.

Maybe I have selective memory but Book Harry and Book Hermione seemed absolutely 100% platonic no matter what situation they were in. In fact weren't there passages about how Harry doesn't even see her as a girl or something like that?

Exactly, Ron and Hermione were written from the stand point that they were going to be together. That's what we're hard-wired to expect when two characters are constantly bickering and dislike fundamental aspects of their character, they're bound to fall in love. The real world isn't like that.

And yes, they do seem platonic in the book, I'm more or less talking about the movies which excelled at the character interactions. I feel like if Jo had written more from the lens of the characters and less of just big plot ideas, Harry and Hermione would have made more sense. But instead she liked the cliches of the bickering couple and the hot, famous power couple. Unfortunately.