Are you apprehensive about POA?

[Severus15]

Does anyone feel apprehenive about the soon arival of the third harry potter movie? To tell you the truth I had the same sort of feeling about the first two and I ended up dispising them. (to hear me go on an endless rant about why I hate them so much I suggest you take a look at the "what did you dislike about the harry potter movies" thread). However, this time it's different. My fears about the third movie have, if possible, trippled because Azkaban is one of my favorite books ever. Yes, I Know there's a new director but from what i've seen so far from the trailers, this movie doesn't look any more promising than the first two. (and what's with Sirius's western outlaw look?) Mabey I'm being a little over protective (though I HIGHLY doubt it), but I was just wondering if anyone shares the same feelings as me.

[Rowlingfan1]

Um, I became a Harry fan after I saw the movies, so I don't really have anything against them.

But if you feel this way, get a friend to see it and review it for you. Then, decide whether or not you want to watch it.

[Godrics_Heiress]

There wasn't much anything wrong with the first two and to me PoA looks very promising after I've seen all the trailers and the movies stills. I don't think they are rushing the movie release. Remember, they originally planned to have it out in November of 2003, as opposed to this coming June. Besides, you can't already assume the movie will be bad without seeing the whole of it. Another thing, you have to realize that the movie will not fully stick with canonical evidence, meaning some courses of events in the film will not follow what you read in the book, like for instance: It seems like Hermione and Ron sees Harry outside of Hogsmeade, instead of inside Honeydukes when he decided to go. Little things like this should not make you all upset. Not one movie made based on a book or a true story ever accurately followed the every single detail of the story. IMO, as long as the plot of the story is there, it should be worth the $8-ticket you pay for the movie.

[petronus]

Aprehensive?! Man! I just want the time to fly by so that i can gorge my eyes with the 3rd movie. As i've read the sneak peek review and just can't stop watching the drat it trailers i've got downloaded. :sigh:

I think Alfonso has done a brlliant job and I can't wait to see it!

~/*-*\~ Petronus

[Cat]

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is my favourite book. Not just of the Harry series, but of all the books I've ever read in my lifetime. There are a books by different authors that I like more than the others, but POA reigns supreme.

And, no, I'm not apprehensive.

I thought the first movie stank to high heaven and although I enjoyed the second movie (especially just after I'd seen it), there were bits that made me cringe.

But the films don't matter. They're not worth half a bean to me. They will never change how I think about any of the books. They're just pieces of fan art. I wouldn't mind if they made Prisoner of Azkaban into a story about pink unicorns. It's not the real Prisoner of Azkaban - the book is. The book is it and all of it and it doesn't need a film supplement to make it complete.

On the other hand, from what I've seen in the trailer and interviews, the film looks to be a good one. I'll watch it of course. I'm sure I'll even enjoy it. I like looking at fan art and I get to eat popcorn for this one.

[Lord_Chatterley]

Same here Cat,PoA is the best book I ever read among all the books I read,sometimes someone asks me:"But of the Harry Potter series?" "no,my favourite of all my books"
I think it's gonna be even the best among all my movies.

[Discordia]

Well I wasn't all too thrilled when I heard who was filming it. Alfonso Cuaron directed Y Tu Mamam Tambien which I saw and let me tell you...that movie was like mexican porn fest! Well actually since I downloaded it off the internet w/o subtitles so my view is pretty bias about it. Anyways I immediately had visions of Harry have make out sessions with all the girls and hermione being turned into a whore. Than I saw the trailers and I think it looks better than the last 2 combined. The other 2 were more safe and this one looks darker like it should be and I like that. So I think it'll be great:tu:

[Cindy]

I'm not apprehensive about PoA. In fact, I'm looking forward to it. I think Alfonso is doing a better job than Chris Colombus, from what I've seen in the trailers and the casts' interviews so far. I'm so glad that Alfonso finally got their looks right, like giving Harry that ruffled hair look and Ron the hand-me-down clothes. I read that PoA is going to show something we don't see in the books that will be helpful to later plots or something like that. I hope PoA will be full of surprises. :)

[Jinxie Cat]

I'm more on the anxious side about the PoA movie. Of the first three books, PoA is by far my favorite! Since I first learned there were going to be Potter movies, I have been a bit scared by how different they would be from the books. Obviously the movies are different and there are things about them that I would love to have changed: scenes deleted, added in, altered... etc. But if there's one thing I've learned... The movies are never the same as the books. Although I do look forward to the third movie. I hope it will be a good one and I hope Cuaron doesn't mess it up too badly...

[FizzingWhizbee]

Severus, I agree with you. I first loved the movies, but my love grew to disgust this summer. I am definitely apprehensive about PoA, I even questioned if I wanted to see it or not. I have decided that I will see it, on opening night as usual. However, I will be viewing it as Cat said (very well put, btw) as a movie separate from the books, simply as a piece of fan art.

[hawk1245]

I'm not apprehensive about PoA. In fact, I'm looking forward to it. I think Alfonso is doing a better job than Chris Colombus, from what I've seen in the trailers and the casts' interviews so far. I'm so glad that Alfonso finally got their looks right, like giving Harry that ruffled hair look and Ron the hand-me-down clothes. I read that PoA is going to show something we don't see in the books that will be helpful to later plots or something like that. I hope PoA will be full of surprises. :)

Um... Sine when DIDN'T Ron have hand-me-downs in the films? Look at his pitiful jacket in PS/SS. And for a better example, look at his ROBES in COS! They are a bloody mess! All grey and old looking, whic hsuits his character perfectly.

[JofpGallagher]

Well I wasn't all too thrilled when I heard who was filming it. Alfonso Cuaron directed Y Tu Mamam Tambien which I saw and let me tell you...that movie was like mexican porn fest! Well actually since I downloaded it off the internet w/o subtitles so my view is pretty bias about it. Anyways I immediately had visions of Harry have make out sessions with all the girls and hermione being turned into a whore. Than I saw the trailers and I think it looks better than the last 2 combined. The other 2 were more safe and this one looks darker like it should be and I like that. So I think it'll be great:tu:

PoA will show you that you cannot judge a director by the "themes" he touches in previous movies. We cannot say that if Clint Eastwood is the director of GoF, we will see a mix of a western movie with black-cinema (Black-cinema refers to detectives genre movie, nothing to do with race)
Y Tu Mama Tambien has strong sexual content but it's not a mexican porn fest.

I'm a fan of the books more than of the movies, but of course I have enjoyed the movies, and I am really looking forward to see Cuaron perspective of the HP novels. I am confident he is a better director than Chris Columbus, so maybe I am aprehensive in the way that I am expecting a better movie (Artistically talking).

[phoenixsong]

Apprehensive? Are you kidding? I can't wait! Although I agree with Cat that books and their movie adaptations should be regarded as separate things, sometimes, rarely, a movie adaptation becomes with respect to its genre what the book is in respect to its own (think English Patient, for example, fantastic book, gorgeous movie, even though the book and the movie have little to do with one another; Cuaron's Little Princess is another case in point). I have high hopes for the PoA movie, because I think so highly of Cuaron's directorial abilities, but, to rephrase Cat's comment, why on earth would my feelings about the movie impact my feelings about the book, or somehow "ruin" my experience of the book?

[la_ginny]

If you can call having nightmares about PoA being a terrible film, then YES! I'm a bit apprehensive.

I enjoyed the first two films, but I saw both of them before I had read any of the books. So I'm apprehensive about this one because it's the first HP film where I already have the events envisioned in my head. I love the mood and feel of the pics and trailers I've already seen. But for some reason, I keep having dreams that I see PoA and it's terrible. That it turns out totally different from the clips I've seen, and that totally plotlines are left out!

The movie can't get here sooner!

[DarkMark90]

I am a bit apprehensive about POA, but if it DOES end up to be terrible (which I doubt will happen), then for a day I will be upset, but most bad movies don't ruin people's lives.

[Flobberworm]

I was a little apprehensive about it at first, before we had hardly any information about the film. However, now I can hardly wait and am counting down the days! After seeing the first few images of PoA and the trailer, this looks by far to be the most promising Harry Potter movie so far. Of course, no movie could ever live up to the book, but this one seems like it will be very enjoyable and I know I'll be buying my tickets about a month in advance :D.

[Tirwen Lupin]

After SS and CoS, I'm not what you'd call a fan of the movies, definitely. My hopes aren't exactly high from PoA, but from the trailers and pics, I'm thinking Cuaron might be doing a better job. Am I apprehensive? Yes, but not terribly. I'll certainly see it, and give it a chance. After all, PoA is my favorite of the books, and I hope it'll turn out as a good movie.

[Mad Macca]

Having Cuaron as the new director is the best thing that has happened for these films since sliced bread! No offence to Columbus, Im sure he's a great guy and all, but the final cut of the first 2 movies just didn't satisfy me. I might have high standards for films (well, after watching LOTR, of course I do :D ), but I'm really looking forward to the changes in POA that Cuaron has made! It's my favourite book, and I have full confidence in him that he won't stuff it up, otherwise.... he'll have one angry fan to deal with :lol:

[hawk1245]

I for one, loved the first two movies. Sure, they weren't masterpieces, but COS was one of the funnest movie experiences I have ever had (along with POTC). And if it wasn't for the movies, I would never have read the books. I just think that in the first two the trio were KIDS, so the first two films were kids movies, and POA they are teenagers, so the movie will be aimed at teens. Even though I liked Columbus, he could have done POA as well as Alfonso is doing it, it just isn't his kinda movie. I think each director is perfect for each film. I can't wait for POA.

[rotsiepots]

I was very apprehensive until I heard Alfonso Cuaron had agreed to direct. The first two films didn't live up to my expectations and as Azkaban is my favourite Potter book I was very worried about what would happen to my "child". ;)

I think a fresh approach will definitely lift the film series. I have absolute faith that Alfonso will deliver a good film that vastly exceeds its predecessors.

So no, I'm not really apprehensive about PoA. I was terrified about CoS, though. :D

[FoolOnTheHill]

I'm not apprehensive about POA at all and I wasn't for the first two movies either. POA looks wonderful, and better than the last 2.

The reason I don't worry is pretty much because the movies are fun by themselves and I have never expected them to be exactly the same as the books. I accept that the movies have to be different to work as movies, that these are just one persons interpretation of the story, so why should I really worry about how its going to turn out? Film POA is not going to be the final authority on what the story is so there is no reason not to enjoy it if it doesn't match perfectly.

[Aranel]

I loved the first two films, and I felt like I had waited ages for a film version of HP to come out, and when they did come I thoroughly enjoyed them. SO naturally, when I found out that there would be a director change, I was very apprehensive.
But as more information was released, and I came to realise that Cuaron wasn't going to be all that bad (I'd seen Little Princess and enjoyed it), and I really enjoyed the trailers. This has turned from an apprehensive feeling to one of excitment!

[Mrs Padfoot]

I was aprehensive but from what I see this film does look a bit better than the first two - which I thought cast a poor reflection on the books. However, POA is my favourite book of the series

So what I'm going to do is go into the cinema expecting POA not to be that good. This way if it is really bad I can just laugh, and if it is really good I can be pleasantly surprised, and really enjoy it.

[Cat]

So what I'm going to do is go into the cinema expecting POA not to be that good. This way if it is really bad I can just laugh, and if it is really good I can be pleasantly surprised, and really enjoy it.

Or you'll go into the cinema with the prejudice that it will be bad, you'll find it hard to appreciate the film and see it as anything good. It would be like watching something with the word 'Bad' emblazoned across your eyeballs.

If you're a stubborn sort of person, you won't want to be proved wrong if the evidence if contrary.

[Ophelia]

I'm a little apprehensive about the movie (mostly from reading the screening reviews *cough* firebolt *cough*) but I'm more excited than anything else...POA is my favorite of the books and I love seeing the books come to life on the screen, even if they are not as good as the books...guess 'cause I'm a visual person...Plus, I can't WAIT to see my two fav characters...Lupin and Sirius...on screen. I have great respect for the two actors playing them, so I can't wait!!! I wish it was June already!

[Cat]

I just want to say that I don't believe in all this 'purist' nonsense. It's just an excuse for stubborn fans to feel righteous and good about themselves when they don't like the films. Or if they just don't want to like the films.

There are only certain things that musn't be changed. Details can be worked with.

If you really respected the books, you would respect that they cannot simply be copied and pasted on to another kind of medium. You would also respect that the films aren't kin to the books, they're just representations. It doesn't matter and it doesn't change anything if there are minor differences. They cannot possibly 'ruin' the books. The movie industry is a huge force, but it hasn't as yet got the power to work it's way into books and pull bits out.

[Ophelia]

I just want to say that I don't believe in all this 'purist' nonsense. It's just an excuse for stubborn fans to feel righteous and good about themselves when they don't like the films. Or if they just don't want to like the films.

There are only certain things that musn't be changed. Details can be worked with.

If you really respected the books, you would respect that they cannot simply be copied and pasted on to another kind of medium. You would also respect that the films aren't kin to the books, they're just representations. It doesn't matter and it doesn't change anything if there are minor differences. They cannot possibly 'ruin' the books. The movie industry is a huge force, but it hasn't as yet got the power to work it's way into books and pull bits out.

Good post, Cat! I didn't mean to suggest that the books are ALWAYS better than the movies (I for one thought the LOTR movies were way better than the books...*boring*) As for the Harry Potter movies thus far (1 & 2), I thought some parts were a little too cheesy...but I have high hopes for the 3rd movie...from the previews, it seems to be awsome! I can't wait

[Barbara Kennedy]

I'm not worried at all. I don't have to have the films as copies directly from the book. I'm quite able to separate the two different media in my mind and appreciate them as separate entertainments. I thoroughly enjoy the books as they are and there is no reason I can't enjoy the films just as they are.

[WeasleyIsOurKing]

I"m not worried about PoA at all. I think the little changes they make and things they add to the set will add to the mood. PS/SS and CoS were extremely faithful to the books and that was fine, but I think what Cuaron is doing for this film is wonderful.

Is what we see in the films really going to influence how we view the books?

[Vicky_M]

I just want to say that I don't believe in all this 'purist' nonsense. It's just an excuse for stubborn fans to feel righteous and good about themselves when they don't like the films. Or if they just don't want to like the films.

There are only certain things that musn't be changed. Details can be worked with.

If you really respected the books, you would respect that they cannot simply be copied and pasted on to another kind of medium. You would also respect that the films aren't kin to the books, they're just representations. It doesn't matter and it doesn't change anything if there are minor differences. They cannot possibly 'ruin' the books. The movie industry is a huge force, but it hasn't as yet got the power to work it's way into books and pull bits out.
Cat, you are absolutely right! I mean, you can't expect to "see" the book in motion (hope you understand the metaphore, its kinda lame) but movies are merely representations of the main aspects of the books. Well said, Cat.

A thing that surprises me is that everyone thinks that Cuaron will do a good job! In the Mugglenet comments the minute you start talking about him some idiot replies with something related to Y Tu Mamá or his nationality (completely moronic). I think he'll do a great job with PoA (my second favourite). Nevertheless, I think Colombus made a nice job, (but I liked CoS way more than PS, except for the final cut).

Now just simply relax, and wait 3 more months...Talk to you in June!!! ;)

[LumosSoleil]

I'm a little apprehensive about movie 3, more excited than apprehensive.
I always manage to separate the two genres so I'm probably going to enjoy it.
I read all the books before I saw the movies and I still love the movies as ever. They were, IMO, predictable, but that's only because they were faithful to the books. To me, what makes an adaption exciting is changes. I did cringe at the thought of the firebolt scene being placed last in the movie's sequences, but now that i think about it, thats a great idea. The brromstick was never important so why not add it as a little enlightening and surprising scene at the end. The moviemakers showed only 1 hour and 40 minutes of the film because this is all they edited so far. They still have 2-3 months left so no worries. I would like for the film to be longer but that's not possible :sad: But I remember going to see Starsky and Hutch and thought to myself: 1 hour and 40 minutes (yes that's how long it was) is too short. Well, the movie was long. And it was funny :p Ok, well it sounds short only because we have the experience of watching the first two movies repeatedly so they feel shoter each time, but in reality they took 2.5 hours of your time each time. Get my drift? Ok, sorry for rambling.

[Bingaling]

I'm not apprehensive at all, I'm actually very excited to see the movie. I think it'll be much better than the other two, and I base that on some of the reviews I've read and the few pictures I've seen. It seems a lot of people are saying that Cuaron goes into a lot more detail on the characters and emotions in this film, something the first two were lacking.

All these people are worried about the movie "ruining" the books, but that's just silly because, like other people have said, nothing could ruin the books.

I've got to admit though, the other night I had the strangest dream that involved the upcoming movie. All I rememeber is that is was horrible, and I was dissapointed. Stupid subconscience...

[Cat]

In the Mugglenet comments the minute you start talking about him some idiot replies with something related to Y Tu Mamá or his nationality (completely moronic).


The people that attack Cuaron do it mostly because, sad as it is, they really want to hate this film. I'm not sure why this is (maybe they're big Columbus fans) but I know that the negative prejudice is going to affect a lot of people's judgement of the film when it actually comes to watching it. You can be fair when all you can think is 'It's going to suck, it's going to suck, it's going to suck'.

[SilverWings]

I thought that Columbus was going to stay on as a producer. If my memory serves me correctly, Chris Columbus was offered the job of directing POA but didn't accept it due to the fact that he wanted more family time but he'd take the position of producer instead. Someone please correct me on this...

As for the movies, I just wished that they could put everything that is in the book on screen. Unfortunatly they can't. If they did, it would make them all 3-4 hour long movies. (Which wouldn't disapoint me in the least) Also on the CoS DVD, Jo Rowlings did an interview with the screen writer about the taking the story from paper to the silver screen. Everything is approved by JKR's first! She says in the interview that she makes Steve put something into the script because of book 5 or book 6. So if someone doesn't read the books and watches only the movies, they will get the MAIN facts of Harry's story.

I personally haven't been disapointed with any of the movies yet. I will be just like all the other fans and I'll be in the theatre on opening day to see PoA. The best part about seeing the movie is you always have some cute little boy in a yellow and red striped t-shirt with the glasses and messy hair going around saying "Allo! I'm Harry Potter!" I trust that JKR has her say in the long run of all the movies. Even she was a sceptic to let WB's make the movies in the first place for fear that they wouldn't be true to the books and so far, they have been in my opinion.

Mandi

[deathwish]

I also fear that they will turn book 3 into a bad movie. I also couldnt stand the first two movies. They were directed at people 8 and under, and the lack of intelligence and good acting made me cringe with disgust every time i watched them.
When a director is afraid of getting a pg-13 rating there is something wrong. All the movies so forth were geared towards a younger audience and didnt take into account older HP fans. I hope they dont do this in the 3rd movie, or i feel i should learn to make letter bombs (shrugs: nothing i can do about it)

[SilverWings]

Deathwish: I'm not sure that it is entirely the director's fault that they didn't go for a pg-13 rating. I honestly feel that there is more younger than older fans of HP. And frankly, if they go and make it a pg-13 movie and have all the frightening things that JKR writes about, it could scare them half to death. Its one thing to read about something on paper, but once you make it a reality, its hard to seperate it in a childs mind. I think that the reason why they went for a PG movie is so that ALL audiences could watch the movie and enjoy.

Mandi

[hawk1245]

The people that attack Cuaron do it mostly because, sad as it is, they really want to hate this film. I'm not sure why this is (maybe they're big Columbus fans) but I know that the negative prejudice is going to affect a lot of people's judgement of the film when it actually comes to watching it. You can be fair when all you can think is 'It's going to suck, it's going to suck, it's going to suck'.

Well, I am a Columbus fan AND a Cauron fan! I trhink that what both of them did gave to the films mood. Columbus directed it when the kids were kids, and now that they are teens the films are out of Chris' league, so they got Cauron, who is PERFECT for POA. I love both of 'em.

[Drker2000]

Apprehensive? Apprehensive? :rotfl:

It's the only thing that can take my mind off waiting for the sixth book. Sure, the books are much better than the movies, but I gotta stop thinking about book six before I go mad :evil: .

[daniel4hp]

Well, I am a Columbus fan AND a Cauron fan! I trhink that what both of them did gave to the films mood. Columbus directed it when the kids were kids, and now that they are teens the films are out of Chris' league, so they got Cauron, who is PERFECT for POA. I love both of 'em.
I don't think Cat wasn't suggesting that this is not possible; she was merely saying that there will be some Columbus fans who are so sad to see Columbus go that they automatically have a prejudice against this film. This is not to say that all Columbus fans will feel this way, but there may be some who will.

[hawk1245]

I don't think Cat wasn't suggesting that this is not possible; she was merely saying that there will be some Columbus fans who are so sad to see Columbus go that they automatically have a prejudice against this film. This is not to say that all Columbus fans will feel this way, but there may be some who will.

See what you mean. Well, Cauron was aproved by Columbus and the rest of the gang was he not? Just a note to you people who doubt POA: When I saw the first few pics, I though he was starting all over again, and ruining the movie. Why? Cause all of the set pieces looked nothing like the previous films. But I was proven worng, BIG TIME! So, if you do not like the film AFTER you see it, fine by me. But don't judge now, cause everytime I have worried about 'ol Al, he has come through just fine. So save the worrys ;)

[Neonorne]

Am I apprehensive about PoA - maybe. But that's just because I have such high expectations to what Cuarón can do, based on what I have seen him do before. So what if this will be his first flop....:upset:Columbus is an able craftsman, nothing more, and the first two films were mediocre. I liked to whatch them, because Stuart Craig did such a wonderful job with the set design, and the casting was good: Rickman, Smith, Brannagh...and I liked Dan with his endearing face as Harry. But as films? bleh. Cuarón is an artist, with a real vision, who really knows how to use a camera, cinetmatically Columbus doesn't even reach him to his knees. And I base this on what I have seen of his previous work, not just the stills and trailier (The award nominee Y tu Mamá También (NO! not porn), A little Princess, that amazing commercial The Fish for the PBC network that won an award). I don't want the films to represent the Potterverse with bland and uninteresting films, I want it to be represented with stunning films. Then you can't use the books as script - very bad idea. Then you need a real artist at the helm - Cuarón is just that. And as any real artist, he might take some chances, therefore MIGHT flop (- but if he does, it will be a spectacular flop, I 'm sure, not just a boring one...) - but I don't think so.

No - I think I am more apprehensive about Mike Newell for GoF. There's another craftsman who does what the studio says, with seemingly no vision of his own. Oh well, we'll see.

[onetruegryffindor]

however amazing cinematography i feel sure that there are bound to be those who are disappointed. However this is no reason to feel apprehensive about the film. Curious? maybe but not apprehensive.
I know i am looking forward to seeing PoA in motion. And if some bit of the book i liked happens to be left out i shall not be to forlorn after all, if the movie was just as good as the book there would be no pint reading the book and that would be a shame indeed!

[ginnygal189]

i am apprehensive about PoA but i was like that for the first two, i want in awe of it, but i wasn't mad by the portrayal either. i mean i have gone on opening night for the first two movies and i plan on doing that for the third, but the books will always by my favorite by far.

[Mrs Padfoot]

Or you'll go into the cinema with the prejudice that it will be bad, you'll find it hard to appreciate the film and see it as anything good. It would be like watching something with the word 'Bad' emblazoned across your eyeballs.

If you're a stubborn sort of person, you won't want to be proved wrong if the evidence if contrary.

I'm not stubborn really. And I wasn't being completely serious either, I just don't want to be disappointed like I was with Philosophers Stone.

I also know that I shouldn't expect to 'see' the book in motion, but I know the book so well I can't imagine it being changed. It seems so perfect as it is.

Nevermind, we all have our own opinions and I'm proud of being a purist.

[Mirtilla]

I’m not apprehensive about PoA movie, right now it’s too earlier to judge Cuaron however from the pictures that I’ve seen I like his style, the guys now looks better with Columbus I’ve always get the impression that his was making movies for a family standard which annoyed me a bit, but now with PoA the tone has to be darkest and it seems that Cuaron is doing a fine job. Furthermore I think that is just plain obvious that the movie will not follow blindly the book, a movie has different needs then a book and the effect of a movie is different from the effect of a book, with that said I think that the movie would follow the general plot of the book however not every particular, perhaps a bit sad but after all it’s the movie not a cop of the book.

Mirtilla

[Cat]

I'm not stubborn really. And I wasn't being completely serious either, I just don't want to be disappointed like I was with Philosophers Stone.

I also know that I shouldn't expect to 'see' the book in motion, but I know the book so well I can't imagine it being changed. It seems so perfect as it is.

Nevermind, we all have our own opinions and I'm proud of being a purist.

It IS perfect as it is and it won't be changed. What you'll be watching is the Prisoner of Azkaban movie, not the Prisoner of Azkaban book.

Like I said, to respect a book you have to appreciate that it can't be precisely transplanted on to an entirely different form of media. The books aren't merely potential scripts to be used in the film industry. The world of narrative is nothing like the world of cinema. As Mirtilla said, films have different needs than books and what works in a book can't always be made to work in a film.

And I believe in 'purism' about as much as I believe in Father Christmas. It's just a make-believe word that makes sulky nitpickers (who know nothing about the differences between films and books) feel better. I'm sure you're not really a nitpicker. Like many people, you probably just don't like the idea of a good book being turned into a movie, so you react by poking at small differences. That's a normal reaction and nothing like 'purism' in my sense of the word.

[Mirtilla]

Originally posted by Cat
Like I said, to respect a book you have to appreciate that it can't be precisely transplanted on to an entirely different form of media. The books aren't merely potential scripts to be used in the film industry. The world of narrative is nothing like the world of cinema. As Mirtilla said, films have different needs than books and what works in a book can't always be made to work in a film.

Exactly my point, there will be a lot of things that will not follow the book, that’s because it’s a movie and not a book, the book has a really plot twisted and somehow it’s also confusing, just think about the whole affair of the Time-Turner, there are still people that haven’t understand it completely I notice this reading some threads on this forums where people looked for an explanation, in a movie things have to be understandable by everyone, considering also that the movie will be see not only from the fanatics of the books like us but also from people that perhaps have never read the books, that’s why I think that the details are going to be missed unless Rowling specifically said that that particular detail has to be there for some reasons, a movie has a different rhythm then a book, especially a movie like PoA has to be very entertaining that’s why some scenes will be without doubt different then the ones in the books because they need to make some scenes more clear for the spectators even those who haven’t read the book should manage to understand the general plot, I would be more afraid of GoF movie where clear they should have to cut off a large amount of the original book, they have to make the plot clear and it’s not easy if they want to add even the classic teenager stuff.

Mirtilla

[Manwë]

I'm completely aprehensive about this movie.
PoA is my favourite HP book, and I don't want it to be spoiled. I felt better about the other two films, but this one is particularly delicate. First of all, there's Sirius, I know that actors can't be as we imagine them, but this time they've found someone completely different to MY Sirius... which is really disappointing. And anyway, I hope that Rowling won't allow any changes in the plot of PoA: I know that the time-turner stuff can be hard to understand, but I'm gonna kill someone (metaforical) if they end the film with a silly explanation. If the book wasn't easy to understand, the film is not supposed to bacome a version of the book made for dummies, is it? I mean, it won't be so awful if five year old kids can't understand it because the books aren't for five year old kids, Harry Potter series can contain magic schools, wands and brooms, but they are not made for little children, and films shouldn't. What are they gonna do with book 4? lots of five year old kids will be traumatized because someone dies?
What I want to say is that I hope that they won't make the plot easier to understand just to give an excuse to children to go and buy some merchandise.

[Cat]

Exactly my point, there will be a lot of things that will not follow the book, that’s because it’s a movie and not a book, the book has a really plot twisted and somehow it’s also confusing, just think about the whole affair of the Time-Turner, there are still people that haven’t understand it completely I notice this reading some threads on this forums where people looked for an explanation, in a movie things have to be understandable by everyone, considering also that the movie will be see not only from the fanatics of the books like us but also from people that perhaps have never read the books, that’s why I think that the details are going to be missed unless Rowling specifically said that that particular detail has to be there for some reasons, a movie has a different rhythm then a book, especially a movie like PoA has to be very entertaining that’s why some scenes will be without doubt different then the ones in the books because they need to make some scenes more clear for the spectators even those who haven’t read the book should manage to understand the general plot, I would be more afraid of GoF movie where clear they should have to cut off a large amount of the original book, they have to make the plot clear and it’s not easy if they want to add even the classic teenager stuff.

Mirtilla

But then you must accept that if there's a fault, it's in scripting the books and making the movies in the first place. The movies aren't at fault for having differences because they have to have differences to work as movies.

Personally, I'd have been happy if she had said 'No movies!', but since she didn't, I'm happy to have some good movies. To be good movies they have to work. I'm only bothered by important changes - such as changing characters - because it might as well be a decent tribute to the Harry Potter series. Changing scenes around and cutting a few things that won't fit don't matter, they don't change the atmosphere or the story or the gist of things. They're simply re-adjusted to fit into a different space.

[Mirtilla]

Originally posted by Cat
But then you must accept that if there's a fault, it's in scripting the books and making the movies in the first place. The movies aren't at fault for having differences because they have to have differences to work as movies.

Well perhaps I wasn’t clear, I’ve nothing against the movies but I think that people shouldn’t be annoyed if some scenes are different because as I said above movies have different needs then the books, so is reasonable that a movie has to show some scenes in a different way.

Furthermore I think that actually we should be proud that we’ve movies of Harry Potter, usually people make movies based on books only if a book has success and in order to have success a book has to be somehow good.

I'm only bothered by important changes - such as changing characters - because it might as well be a decent tribute to the Harry Potter series.

Well I don’t think that in the movies they’ve changed characters’ personalities and I don’t think that they would ever done important changes after all Rowling should have a sort of authority on her works and knowing how she’s over protective towards her books I think that she wouldn’t let this happened

Mirtilla

[Neonorne]

Even though this thread is a little old now, I just wanted to say something about book to movie adaptation since that is touched upon here. If you think this is a boring subject, don't read on from here.

It is not really about making things more entertaining or easier to understand than the books. OK, sometimes films do that, but then they may violate the atmosphere and central underlying themes of the books they adapt a lot. It's just that words and images do not work in the same way. Written language has a different effect on your brain than pictures!

Take the Shrieking Shack scene. It's basicly about some people standing around and talking in long explaining monologues. The reason this is not boring to read, is that while you read it, you don't only picture the people standing there, you also will form very vivid inner images of the things they are talking about: like the matron walking across the school grounds with an about-to-transform Lupin, the werewolf and the animagi running together under the moon etc. These images form spontaniously as you read, but they are not necessarily coherent or form one flowing stream of clear pictures. You will probably shift between "seeing" these images and "hearing" the words in your head. So your images will not work very well as a script for a film - some serious adaptation will be needed!

If the Shrieking Shack scene was filmed exactly as it is written, the strong images on the screen of people just standing there would probably overrule the more vague images in your head their words could have created - and a long scene of people just talking might come across as veeery boring to watch for anyone but the most hard core fans!

That's the reason why they can't use the book as script, and why an adaptation really means adaptation, they must rewrite it to fit a story told with pictures and not words. I'm sure that in order to make the Shrieking Shack scene work as the dramatical climax in the film it should be, they will just HAVE to change it and/or shorten it somehow. They can use some flashbacks to make up for the images in our heads of the events they are talking about - but not too many, because that would ruin the wholeness and intensity of the scene, make it seem incoherent and buthcered. So my guess is this scnene has been cut down and changed in substantial ways to make it work on screen - if this is not the case, Kloves and Cuarón will have done a poor job. Same will be the case with many other scenes. It's not just a question of saving screen time.

A good adaptation is when the gist of the book, it's atmosphere, central themes, character development and underlying ideas are saved in the transfer from words to pictures through intelligent rewriting with an understanding of both media. A bad adaptation is when all this is lost through either a total departure from the books, OR a slavish book-as-script attitude with no respect for the needs of a visual medium. In my opinion, the first two films suffer of both these flaws. It is my hope that with a real visual artist as director, the adaptation will be better this time around.

[Merrick Mayfair]

I'm waiting to see Marge take off like a balloon and Hermione lay out Draco.

[Jedi Potter]

About book-film adaptations, to me this is hard to do sometimes, I have seen books ripped to shreds on the screen (Timeline, The Lost World, and Dreamcatcher all come to mind) so I know it is a tough process, sometimes the producers try to be too keep too much of the book (Dreamcatcher) or they change so much that is a different thing all together (The Lost World) it is also weird that some medoicre books have been made into great movies (Ben Hur and Gone With the Wind come to mind) and some great books have been trashed. It just shows how tough the process is. Still, I am not worried about POA from what I have seen I think it is going to be a great movie.

[strwznbrry]

I don't think I could be apprehensive about the release of the movie. As Cat said it really is a seperate thing from the book. I also like that I am surprised when I go see a movie I have read the book to and they change things up because then I know whats going on but not what is going to happen. (do you know what I mean?) Anyway I just am more excited about the fact that there isn't that long of a wait for it and I will finally get to see it. :)

[faith80]

I'm excited about seeing POA. Some people just seem to be purists and don't want anything to ruin what they have read in the books. I just like to think of the movies as a different way to enjoy the story. I think of the movies separately from the books and love them both for different reasons, much like I do with LOTR. Of course, the movies won't be the same as the books, but that doesn't mean you still can't enjoy watching them.

[dracosgoddess89]

The first two movies ... what can i say ... other than they were not even a grain of sand compared to the books. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed them, but they did not do the books the glory they deserved. I wasn't even going to see the POA movie because the teaset looked wierd but then i watched the new trailer and it looks awesome! I'm really excited about seeing it now! I hope it goes into detail, and is a wonderful interpretation of book to movie. So I am very apprehensive about seeing it because it is my favorite book in all the books i've EVER read so i hope hope hope that I and all you other flks luv it :)

[p0is0n]

I'm a tad bit nervous. There are a lot of minor things that I've seen in the trailers that I don't like. Lupin has a moustache? Dumbledore's new look? SIRIUS? But I'm still pretty excited about the moive, and I especially can't wait to see it on IMAX. For you Michigan residents, it'll be playing at Henry Ford theater (or whatever its called now) this summer! :clap:

[dracosgoddess89]

Dumbledore's new look?

Lol they didn't really have a choice :)

[Pumpkin Juice]

A little, yeah. I think it's mostly because this will be the first Harry Potter movie I'll initially see after having read the book. With the first two Harry Potter movies, I saw them before I read the books so I didn't have the kind of expectations you normally have after having read the books.

I think also because I was use to Chris Columbus's style. From what I've seen, this new director has a very different style. One being that the kids seem to wear muggle clothes more than in the past and if I recall correctly, in the books wizards and witches seem to always wear robes and don't understand muggle clothes very well. He's also taken out Oliver Wood from the movie and this is a big year for Oliver Wood, it's his last year at Hogwarts. And perhaps because I'm a bit concerned new characters being introduced won't fit the image I had of them when reading the book.

I think also because this is my favorite book in the series so I'm nervous it won't measure up to how great the book is.

So yeah, I'd say I'm a little apprehensive about this movie. But as it's my favorite book, it also has the potential of becoming my favorite movie in the series and that's exciting.

I'm actually a lot more apprhensive about movies 4 and 5 because of the decision to make them each just one movie instead of splitting them into two movies each. That means a lot of things are going to be cut. At first, I didn't think that would matter with Goblet of Fire, but I had no idea they were going to take out the entire opening sequence which I think is too important to leave out. And Order of the Phoenix just has too much good material that a lot is going to be sacrificed to turn it into a two and a half hour movie.

[Earendil]

Apprehensive? A little. My disappointment with the first two films has taught me not to expect too much out of the film adaptations of the HP novels. However, it's entirely possible that Cuaron's vision will hit closer to the mark of what I personally perceive to be a good adaptation of the Potterverse, and I'm willing to give it a chance--although I'm not getting my hopes up. From my perspective, the films are simply not important anymore. If the first two had set the standard of being extremely high-quality, compelling adaptations, I would hold much more importance to the subsequent films because I would be concerned that they would uphold the standard of the first two. However, I'm more interested in where the books are going than the films, because in all honesty I feel that the films have so far been bungled up to the point where they have no bearing on the Harry Potter franchise.

Still, a part of me really wants to enjoy PoA. It's one of the stronger books in the series so far, and I think I'd be pretty darn chuffed if the film version of it lived up to the text.

[Lupin_Lady]

POA is my favourite book of all time, EVER. So I'm a little worried that it won't live up to what I see it as. I mean, I already know that Lupin is nothing how I imagained him (I was pretty close with Sirius though :drool:)
So if I'm disappointed by the move, then the book may be runied for me.

[kay27]

I was apprehensive at first, because of a new director and all, but after seeing all the trailers I'm starting to get really excited! POA is definatly one of my top picks out of the series (so far)

I think that if I'm disappointed by the movies, I doubt I'll begin to hate the book, because as some have already said, there is no way you can copy the book directly into the movie. If that was tried, I think that's when we would all be disappointed.

Besides, with JKR directly involved with the project, and all parties involved wanting to remain faithful to the books, I really don't think we can lose!

[rotsiepots]

I'm trying very hard not to get myself too worked up about PoA. I know that high expectations (which is what I currently have because of the calibre of director attached with the project) often lead to disappointment, so I'm trying to convince myself that I won't enjoy it.

It's certainly a hard task, though. :D

[Amadeus]

I am reserving all my judgements and opinions until I actually watch the movie. However, I've been not too happy with a lot of stuff they've done. (Some of the castings, Hogwarts Choir was freaky, etc.)

[Nys]

I'm really not sure whether I'm going to go and see it, or just wait until it comes out on DVD.... I guess after what I thought of the first two movies, I'll probably just wait to see what the reviews say (or what people are saying on CoS :) )

I'm also going to have to not expect too much of the movie, I think that was my mistake in the first 1... I have to accept that there are bits that they are going to have to leave out of the movies.

[Picko]

PoA from all indications looks to be the best of the three movies so far. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two so I'm highly anticipating this one. That said I don't feel like I have unrealistically high expectations so I shouldn't be disappointed.

[Cat]

I'm trying very hard not to get myself too worked up about PoA. I know that high expectations (which is what I currently have because of the calibre of director attached with the project) often lead to disappointment, so I'm trying to convince myself that I won't enjoy it.

It's certainly a hard task, though. :D

Just be casual and relaxed. Remember that Kloves is still around, there are going to be some naff jokes, there is going to be a cheesey line or two. Remember that some of the bad things about the first two will possibly be continuing.

And, despite all this,
IT'S STILL GOING TO BE GREAT!!!

Sorry, my optimism is showing. I liked CoS and, judging by pictures and clips alone, PoA already seems a cut above. People say that it's better to be pessimistic, but I think it's the other way around. If you're optimistic you're optimistic but if you're pessimistic you're just being grumpy. Anyway, if it turns out to be awful, your initial optimism will fuel many a fine rant thereafter.

[true_heir_of_slyth]

I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about the PoA movie, judging by the trailers and pics we've seen so far. It's looking a lot better than the last two, and with a new director at the helm there'll obviously be a few changes. PS and CoS were a big disappointment for me, though (no disrespect to anyone who liked them, of course :)), so I'm not getting too excited until I've seen it :D

[haley182]

i am waaay excited for it. i watched both SS and CoS movies last night... and i realized that they were both so sloppy! lol ... especially SS. CoS wasnt so bad so i'm thinking that the movies will get increasingly better.... cant wait for PoA

[Bjornar]

I'm not worried at all about PoA. Columbus was so cookie cutter with vision, which made for a solid foundation to the overall vision of JKR's world yet was so literal that it felt to be more of a visual aid to the books rather than a movie in and of itself. Cuaron firmly and bravely created PoA the movie--not the visual aid.