Deathly Hallows Part 1 - Open Discussion

[giftedkid527]

Originally Posted by MsBinns

I tend to agree with the bolded. Don't get me wrong, the movie did have "a bunch of Ron and Hermione scenes", but I think their relationship at this point should not be isolated scenes, but more of a solid backdrop to the whole story. By this point it is very clear and not at all ambiguous where BOTH their hearts lie. Just about everything Ron and Hermione do in the book reflects that. I guess that just doesn't make for good movie making/story-telling though. I think it's probably a reason they didn't film Hermione and Ron dancing at the wedding, it would have taken out the "mystery" for movie fans of who she will end up with. I think it would have been a nice touch to have them dancing in the background while Harry was talking to Doge and Muriel. There is no question in the book about who Hermione will end up with, it's just a matter of "when". I was looking forward to this in the film. I admit it kept me on edge a bunch reading as I thinking 'is this the moment? the entire book. I had hoped they would go that route in the movies, but they obviously did not. That said there definitely were some tender moments, but I thought they often felt forced or isolated or plopped in just to make fans complacent rather than to actually advance the story.

Well said.

[magic_is_might]

Originally Posted by giftedkid527

I think you read too much into it. Obviously all us Potter fans will know that Hermione doesn't like Harry, and even if the intent is there, I don't think new fans will be able to decipher that they weren't into each other.

Thanks - I'm trying really hard to sound coherent despite being 2 in the morning

@giftedkid - I think I'm not really making my point clear I'm not disagreeing with you at all. I'm trying to explain to the people who hated this scene and do read into this scene too much - they should at least try and read into the part that I feel is most important.

It's an opinion of course, so I'm not trying to force it on anyone - I just think I'm not conveying myself properly on this

[PotterGurl08]

Ok, I'm still a bit overwhelmed, lol.

I just want to chime in on the Harry/Hermione stuff.

The dance scene. I like it very much. I think for a second, it's aim was to try to stir something up for the H/H folks, lol. But it successfully broke apart that ship.

When the scene first began, I admit it did look like Harry was trying to be romantic; the way he held out his hand, stared at her, removed the locket...I was thinking..."Uh...what the heck is this? This shouldn't be happening."

But once the dancing started, the "romance" evaporated, and it is evident that this was just a friend trying to cheer up a friend. Then of course, once the dancing ended, the intentions were blurred with the pause that happened between the two of them.

I think the moment after the dancing has two interpretations:
1). A possible could-have-been kiss that Hermione doesn't go through with. (i.e. Something to excite the H/H shippers)

2). Harry longing for his friend to feel better, trying to see if he had cheered her up a little; Hermione appreciating the effort, but letting him know that she can't help still worrying and being upset over Ron. (i.e. what was really happening, lol).

In a nutshell, I think this scene portrays that:
Harry decided since neither of them could be with the people they want, they might as well try to enjoy each other's company. Hermione tries to respond to the light-hearted moment Harry tried to bring about, but she ultimately can't. Harry understands.

[giftedkid527]

Originally Posted by magic_is_might

Thanks - I'm trying really hard to sound coherent despite being 2 in the morning

@giftedkid - I think I'm not really making my point clear I'm not disagreeing with you at all. I'm trying to explain to the people who hated this scene and do read into this scene too much - they should at least try and read into the part that I feel is most important.

It's an opinion of course, so I'm not trying to force it on anyone - I just think I'm not conveying myself properly on this

I can see what you mean. That's a scene that totally clinched the Ron-Hermione relationship for fans with HP experience, with Hermione turning away, however I think it's one that new fans will gloss over when they're watching it, and miss everything.

[Kat_Suki]

Okay, so I just got back from the film having taken my niece and her best friend {both 13 and PotterGeeks}. They lurved it! Same for me.

I guess I only have one minor nitpick in it all...why did they have Grindelwald tell Voldemort about where the Elder wand was? Okay, yeah, I know. There wasn't enough exposition of that particular story line yet...Grrr...but that's about it.

The girls teared up and cried several times: Hedwig's death, Ron's leaving, Harry's quiet grief in the cemetery {Dan did that very well}, Hermione being tortured, and of course Dobby's death and burial {again, Dan did that very well}.

The times of laughter were seriously and honestly just too numerous to count but I remember their first crack up. The twins "we're identical" quickly followed by Fleur/Harry and the bra removal and Fleur/Harry snuggled up to Bill on the thestral. Ye gods, I wish they'd panned to Dan's face and we'd seen Harry's expression of disgust! And of course, Hagrid's very sheepish expression after they landed in the water near the Burrow.

None of us minded the dance and everyone in the theater laughed at Dan's skillz at dancing. It seemed that the girls picked up zero nuance of Harry/Hermione there, but rather Harry just trying to cheer Hermione up by prancing about like a fool.

I can honestly say that the girls thought the Trio were tremendous in the film, they were like, "We know they were okay actors, but this is different. They're different. They're totally amazing, when did that happen?"

They loved the addition of Dobby with Kreacher at Grimmauld Place, too, although my niece wanted Kreacher to wallop Mundungus with a pot rather than poke him with a fork. The best friend totally dug Neville's small "hey, loser" bit on the train, says he's 'hot'. I told her she should see Matt out of the padded suit, fake teeth, and funny make-up prop used to make his ears stick out. Both were heard to say "OMG sexy" at the Harry/Hermione/LocketHorcrux kiss. They commented that they'd imagined a smaller version of what popped out of the locket, rather than it stretching to the tree tops, not that it was bad, but just not how they'd seen it in their own minds. They loved Ron saving Harry and that the locket talked smack to Ron and then how Ron finally got up enough courage to kill it with the sword.

All of us totally jumped at the scene of Nagini attacking Harry/Hermione at Godric's Hollow. My niece grabbed her chest and shrieked out a startled "OH!" and she claimed she still had palpitations as we left the theater some time later. Bathilda Bagshot was seriously freaking creepy.

We all thought Hedwig's send off, in defense of her beloved Harry rather than stuck defenseless in a cage, was a much better way for her to go.

Both girls were confused as to who Voldemort killed and fed to Nagini, not having remembered the Muggle Studies Professor, Charity Burbage, from the story {and definitely not from any of the films} so I had to whisper an explanation to them.

I wished they'd kept the birthday scene and the Harry/Ginny kiss, but we all actually enjoyed their kiss and George's sneaking in to spy on them, his expressions/wink at them as they embarrassedly hurried away in opposite directions, ah, funny funny. The girls *gasped* at Ginny needing her dress zipped up by Harry and then they giggled hysterically. Not unlike half the theater. (I hope this does not give the girls ideas!)

The actors they got to portray the Trio in the Ministry had us all laughing, those were amazing performances. Mafalda/Hermione and all the frightened eye movements and scared look on her face! Priceless. Runcorn/Harry, gingerly stepping in the manner that Dan does, and the whole "smaller Harry now the bigger Runcorn - not really knowing how to move properly - I dunno but it struck me funny as all get out. And his telling Umbridge she was lying, that she "mustn't tell lies" before he pops her with Stupefy! Oh, and loved the Decoy Detonators, those got a big laugh too. Reg Cattermole/Ron was hysterical! Worried about his "wife", holding her hand in front of Umbridge, telling her to go home...that kiss while a jealous Hermione watched, followed by Mrs Cattermole's startled face when Ron's Polyjuice finally wore off.

We all loved booing at Umbridge and cheering when she got Stunned, and since the entire theater did this as well, we didn't feel awkward about it at all.

As we were walking away from the movie the girls were talking about the scene with the Tale of the Three Brothers and they were just stunned with how well that was done. Lurved it, totally. I explained that it was shadow puppetry and their eyes got big and round and they were like, that's awesome, totally cool. {They're both into drawing anime and online drawing, so they dig all kinds of art}. First thing when we got home, my niece begged to have her copy of the Beedle the Bard book so that they could read it before bed. {Harry Potter night somehow became a sleepover sometime when I wasn't looking, but oh well. }

I did warn them ahead of time about when the film was going to make the cut off point, so they were expecting it. They liked the whole breaking into Dumbledore's tomb scene, and the whole Voldemort over Dumbledore juxtaposition. My word, not theirs. Unfortunately, there were some people who didn't know when the cut would be made and were like "What? What?" when the film ended, I guess they were hoping for a bit more. Well, we all were, but still.


Gah, there's just so much with this film...literally too much to really recall in one sitting.

[magic_is_might]

Originally Posted by PotterGurl08

Ok, I'm still a bit overwhelmed, lol.

I just want to chime in on the Harry/Hermione stuff.

The dance scene. I like it very much. I think for a second, it's aim was to try to stir something up for the H/H folks, lol. But it successfully broke apart that ship.

When the scene first began, I admit it did look like Harry was trying to be romantic; the way he held out his hand, stared at her, removed the locket...I was thinking..."Uh...what the heck is this? This shouldn't be happening."

But once the dancing started, the "romance" evaporated, and it is evident that this was just a friend trying to cheer up a friend. Then of course, once the dancing ended, the intentions were blurred with the pause that happened between the two of them.

I think the moment after the dancing has two interpretations:
1). A possible could-have-been kiss that Hermione doesn't go through with. (i.e. Something to excite the H/H shippers)

2). Harry longing for his friend to feel better, trying to see if he had cheered her up a little; Hermione appreciating the effort, but letting him know that she can't help still worrying and being upset over Ron. (i.e. what was really happening, lol).

In a nutshell, I think this scene portrays that:
Harry decided since neither of them could be with the people they want, they might as well try to enjoy each other's company. Hermione tries to respond to the light-hearted moment Harry tried to bring about, but she ultimately can't. Harry understands.

Spot on!

Don't worry - I'm overwhelmed just trying to write my take on it without being misunderstood @_@

Originally Posted by giftedkid527

I can see what you mean. That's a scene that totally clinched the Ron-Hermione relationship for fans with HP experience, with Hermione turning away, however I think it's one that new fans will gloss over when they're watching it, and miss everything.

Unfortunately, I fear that some of the haters of this scene will gloss over the last bit which I thought was important because it shows Hermione's decision to go with Ron.

1. For the casual Harry/Hermione shippers, it was a cute, fun, and adorable scene that us shippers certainly don't mind. And it's a scene we never got in the books.

2. For Hermione/Ron shippers, it was a confirmation of Hermione's choice.

So, while Hermione/Ron shippers may not like it because of the first reason, I believe it can work for both 1 and 2. The problem is that movie goers will read more into the Harry/Hermione scene than necessary since they don't know any better.

[Slartibartfast]

The actors they got to portray the Trio in the Ministry had us all laughing, those were amazing performances. Mafalda/Hermione and all the frightened eye movements and scared look on her face! Priceless. Runcorn/Harry, gingerly stepping in the manner that Dan does, and the whole "smaller Harry now the bigger Runcorn - not really knowing how to move properly - I dunno but it struck me funny as all get out. And his telling Umbridge she was lying, that she "mustn't tell lies" before he pops her with Stupefy! Oh, and loved the Decoy Detonators, those got a big laugh too. Reg Cattermole/Ron was hysterical! Worried about his "wife", holding her hand in front of Umbridge, telling her to go home...that kiss while a jealous Hermione watched, followed by Mrs Cattermole's startled face when Ron's Polyjuice finally wore off.

There are no words to describe how much i loved that whole bit. The Ministry scenes were probably my favorite in the film. That and the Tale Of Three Brothers animation! Oh that was cool. I did love the Dark Lord Ascending scene too. Snape.

[magic_is_might]

I also absolutely loved the Ministry scene and Three Brothers narration

I can say that after seeing mostly positive reviews - I'm glad that Warner did the last one justice and definitely showed the fans who gave up the movies a long time ago.

I'll be honest and say that I didn't have high expectations for this film, but I'm so glad I was proved wrong!

Okay. I'm seriously going to bed now so I don't confuse someone else with my sleep deprived over-the-top scene analysis

[msstinson]

okay, so I loved this movie i thought they did a great job and i cant wait for part 2 to come out next summer. i just have one complaint. the scenes at the burrow with the wedding and everything....... im calling bullcrap on the burrow even still being there in the movies. in HBP the burrow was destroyed by dark magic. they always say in the cannon that you cant repair things that have been damaged by dark magic. georges ear, bills scratches, and the house in godrics hollow to name just a few prove that if its been cursed you cant fix it. i dont understand how they can justify blowing it all to hell in HBP, when that wasnt even true to the books and then just have it be fine in the next installment. what do you guys think? ive bored my sister and brother in law with my complaints in minute detail. i need people who understand to discuss this with me.

[SirDobster]

The actors they got to portray the Trio in the Ministry had us all laughing, those were amazing performances. Mafalda/Hermione and all the frightened eye movements and scared look on her face! Priceless. Runcorn/Harry, gingerly stepping in the manner that Dan does, and the whole "smaller Harry now the bigger Runcorn - not really knowing how to move properly - I dunno but it struck me funny as all get out. And his telling Umbridge she was lying, that she "mustn't tell lies" before he pops her with Stupefy! Reg Cattermole/Ron was hysterical! Worried about his "wife", holding her hand in front of Umbridge, telling her to go home...that kiss while a jealous Hermione watched, followed by Mrs Cattermole's startled face when Ron's Polyjuice finally wore off.

These actors were hilarious. I also liked Runcorn/Harry just simply walking away from Umbridge's office when he was discovered, as if he had every right to be there; and the way the actor imitated Dan's walk.

[messrsmoony]

Originally Posted by Desraelda

What was with changing where the trio ended up after the wedding from Tottenham Court Road to Shrewsbury? Such a silly change. I love Tottenham Court Road ... not the place never having been there, but the name itself.

It was Shaftsbury but even still, I agree.

[shaybo8]

I really enjoyed the film! But I haven't read the book since it came out and have some questions:

1. What was the freaking mirror?
2. When Nagini jumps out at Harry, he crashes through the wall into this nursery room. What is this room and what was the purpose? Is it a replica of Harry's old room or something?
3. Are they going to explore Dumbledore's life more in the second film? I'm assuming so or else I'll be pretty disappointed.

[free_elf]

So I don't know if this is exactly the right place to post this but I need my harry potter fix and I'm contemplating reading the 7th one to fulfil my need. Only problem is that I have developed a tendency to NOT read the books immediately before or after I've seen the movie, so that I'm not sitting there going "that didn't happen" or "that's not how I imagined it."

Not that I'm a book purist or anything but I just worry that I will be subconsciously influenced.

So question is dear potterverse, do I give in?

(if this is completely OT or something, admin please feel free to move, I was just unsure)

[Kat_Suki]

Originally Posted by shaybo8

I really enjoyed the film! But I haven't read the book since it came out and have some questions:

1. What was the freaking mirror?

This was part of the secret mirror set that belonged to James/Sirius while at Hogwarts. They used them to communicate while serving detentions. Sirius gave Harry one mirror in OotP while retaining the other. At the end of Phoenix, Harry tries to talk to Sirius in the mirror but he can't, because Sirius is dead, so Harry throws the mirror into the trunk where it smashes into pieces. The next time it is seen is in Deathly Hallows, and all that is left of it is that one shard. Harry pockets it and it later becomes useful, as seen in the film.

Mundungus nicked things from Headquarters after Sirius died, one being his mirror. Mundungus sold it to the barman of the Hog's Head, Aberforth Dumbledore, in Half-Blood Prince {shortly thereafter Harry grabs Dung by the throat outside of the Three Broomsticks and starts choking him, having just discovered part of Dung's thievery.}

Originally Posted by shaybo8

2. When Nagini jumps out at Harry, he crashes through the wall into this nursery room. What is this room and what was the purpose? Is it a replica of Harry's old room or something?

You got me, it was total creative license. I thought Bathilda was an old spinster lady, myself. It could have been meant to convey a link to Harry's childhood memory, but who knows?

Originally Posted by shaybo8

3. Are they going to explore Dumbledore's life more in the second film? I'm assuming so or else I'll be pretty disappointed.

I think they might, some things need to be established - such as the link of the wand and Grindelwald...etc. Some exposition on Aberforth and Arianna, certainly. We'll have to wait and see.

[shaybo8]

So where is the other mirror? The Ministry?

[Kat_Suki]

Originally Posted by shaybo8

So where is the other mirror? The Ministry?

It's with the person that Dung sold it to. Aberforth Dumbledore, brother of Albus {that's why the image seemed familiar to Harry}, barman of the Hog's Head.

He's the one who summoned Dobby and sent him to Harry's aid, when Harry asked the mirror for "Help".

[yoshi2542]

Originally Posted by Kat_Suki

You got me, it was total creative license. I thought Bathilda was an old spinster lady, myself. It could have been meant to convey a link to Harry's childhood memory, but who knows?

Surely they just broke through the wall shared with the house next door?

[Kat_Suki]

Originally Posted by yoshi2542

Surely they just broke through the wall shared with the house next door?

Possible, I guess. I didn't pay much attention to the outside of the house to see whether it was a duplex home or not. And during the scene, I was dealing more with a near hyperventilating teen who's fear of snakes rivals Ron's fear of spiders!

[delailah]

First of all, I'd like to say Neville finally got a proper haircut and looks very good. The scene in Hogwarts express gave me goosebumps with his line! Fred and George.. I just love them! I liked the scene when Harry and Hermione dance, really (it was a good song, too - if anyone knows which song is it, please send me an owl). The film was really great, nearly everything was like in the books, I am really looking forward to see the Gringotts scene in the second part

[free_elf]

Originally Posted by delailah

First of all, I'd like to say Neville finally got a proper haircut and looks very good. The scene in Hogwarts express gave me goosebumps with his line! Fred and George.. I just love them! I liked the scene when Harry and Hermione dance, really (it was a good song, too - if anyone knows which song is it, please send me an owl). The film was really great, nearly everything was like in the books, I am really looking forward to see the Gringotts scene in the second part

Song was O Children by Nick Cave.

Bring on Part II