Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter v.2

[HedwigOwl]

Originally Posted by Sirius_Weasley

Most of the viewers won't have read the book, therefore Ebert's thoughts on how the actor is portrayed will be echoed by many viewers. imo Dan just doesn't fit the part well enough -- the producers were searching for young actors who mainly looked the part, not ones with acting experience, hence Rupert, Dan and Emma. If you compare Dan to how James looks in OoTP, they look NOTHING alike, and the actor for James is perfect, I'd be surprised to hear that he didn't audition for Harry's part, and he should have gotten the bit.

Constantly in the movies, we hear Harry being told that he looks just like his father, and then we see an image of his father at his age and think -- WHAT THE HELL? Most viewers won't have read the books again.

Actually, I didn't think the actor for James was perfect at all. Perhaps the arrogant part was OK, but James was supposed to have come from a wealthy family and I expected quite a different portrayal than the one we got. Also, it's not Dan's fault that they picked an actor as his father who looks nothing like him in OotP....someone in casting dropped the ball there big time.

Originally Posted by Sirius_Weasley

I think that Dan also needs some more practice at acting... look at the end scene of GoF, firstly his duel with Voldy, Dan just seems bold and brave in that part, when in fact Harry was actually scared and considered giving himself up.

It doesn't seem like you & I watched the same movie. I think he looks pretty scared of Voldy most of the time in the GoF confrontation. The only time he looks determined is when he decides that if he's going to die he's going to do that standing up facing Voldemort --and that's how it happened in the book as well.

Originally Posted by Sirius_Weasley

And then when he returned... I cringe whenever I see that bit. Harry wailing like an old man imitating a little kid, LEARN HOW TO CRY, MATE!

Easier said than done to cry convincingly on cue. I think he did OK.

Originally Posted by Sirius_Weasley

&& the MoM part in OoTP, when Harry drops to the floor while hiccuping -- yep, when someone falls, they bend down, put their hands on the floor and then lay down calmly...

To be fair, he wasn't falling, Voldemort was taking possession of him. Obviously the director wanted to make sure the non-book-reading audience would know what was happening.

[decarus]

If there was one thing i could change about the films it would be for them to not have hired Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter. Clearly there are other things i would change, but if i could only change one, this would be it.

[MinervasCat]

Dan was about as close to the way I pictured Harry as he could be. He was so cute in the first movie, and, I think he portrayed Harry very well. There were some parts of the script that were, IMO, not very well written, and, I think it made some things he said seem awkward or silly. But, he was bery believable. I loved the scene in Olivander's when he was getting his wand and, when the one didn't work for him how he very gingerly laid in on the counter. The look on his face was so appropriate for the scene.

I think Dan has also taken over the character and made Harry his own. He's done a very good job of making Harry human.

[lightreading]

I think Dan makes Harry a little more subtle and thoughtful... and I always pictured Harry as skinnier and geekier.

[Shaun_MT]

Originally Posted by lightreading

I think Dan makes Harry a little more subtle and thoughtful... and I always pictured Harry as skinnier and geekier.

That's funny because I've always imagined Harry as less geeky than what Dan makes him. Obviously Dan is too small but he's kinda clean cut and "twee" for my liking. I've pictured Harry a bit more brooding and less chirpy. He's a very to the point sort of person, that's why Ron and Hermione's bickering sometimes irritates him. He doesn't understand why they just can't cut it out. He doesn't mince his words either. I've been re-reading the books and been struck by how little Harry talks compared to how much he thinks. I also think Dan makes Harry seem more overwhelmed by things and agreeable. Making Harry less strong and stubborn. But that's partly down to the writing. Most of the conflict has been removed such as the firebolt disagreement in PoA, Harry's sociopathic behaviour in OotP and his stubborn distrust of Snape and the Ministry (although this will be revived a little in DH part 1 I reckon).

But I think it works better for the films how Dan has made Harry less haunted, but more sympathetic, humorous and heroic. Otherwise Harry would have been a bit too unlikeable for audiences. Harry's internal processes would also make the actor's job tougher too.

[RonShudntDie]

Originally Posted by Sirius_Weasley

I think that Dan also needs some more practice at acting... look at the end scene of GoF, firstly his duel with Voldy, Dan just seems bold and brave in that part, when in fact Harry was actually scared and considered giving himself up. And then when he returned... I cringe whenever I see that bit. Harry wailing like an old man imitating a little kid, LEARN HOW TO CRY, MATE! && the MoM part in OoTP, when Harry drops to the floor while hiccuping -- yep, when someone falls, they bend down, put their hands on the floor and then lay down calmly...

One of the cringiest moments is when he is sitting on a rock in the POA, crying, just after hearing about Sirius' 'betrayal' of his parents.

Me and my friends still shout, "he was their friend!" at each other in dramatic voices for banter.

[RedMosquito22]

Originally Posted by lightreading

I think Dan makes Harry a little more subtle and thoughtful... and I always pictured Harry as skinnier and geekier.

Daniel probably weight 120 pounds tops. How much skinnier could he be?

[UselessCharmMaster]

Originally Posted by RonShudntDie

One of the cringiest moments is when he is sitting on a rock in the POA, crying, just after hearing about Sirius' 'betrayal' of his parents.

Me and my friends still shout, "he was their friend!" at each other in dramatic voices for banter.

Yes, it was quite awful. I didn't like his acting in PoA.

Maybe he's just better in the comedy? I must say I really liked him in all the Felix Felicis part. He was funny.

[lightreading]

Yeah, he made a better comic than a Harry-- gosh, the Felix moment was his best, wasn't it?
And as for his weight-- I'm not a great judge of that, I never notice the real weight, more the way they carry themselves and the way they move-- I pictured Harry as twitchier, stooped with the "weight of the world on his shoulders"-- all around, kind of freaky.

[NargleNonsense]

Harry, to me, was this long stringy teenager who had to be at least 5' 8", you know. I pictured his face to be thinner, his hair to be everywhere, and a hint of attraction that you can't exactly pinpoint.
Daniel Radcliffe is a great actor, I'm not going to deny him that. But he's so tiny. He doesn't have the appearence of Harry, my personal opinion, but I feel like he carries Harry's personality to near perfection.
I think when they cast Dan they expected him to stretch out, and to get that weedy teenaged look. Unfortunately... I don't think Dan ever looked weedy or too big for his clothes. I still enjoy his acting, though. I would be so annoyed if they replaced him with someone who looked exactly like Harry, but was a terrible actor.

[Shaun_MT]

Originally Posted by NargleNonsense

Harry, to me, was this long stringy teenager who had to be at least 5' 8", you know. I pictured his face to be thinner, his hair to be everywhere, and a hint of attraction that you can't exactly pinpoint.

I agree 100% about the hint of attraction. He wears glasses, but he's not dorky. He's tall but probably slouches and doesn't have a strong frame. The opposite of someone like Cedric Diggory.

[sekhmetlion]

IMO, Dan was perfect in his first 2 years, or even more. Later he did not grow as tall and slim as Harry was supposed to be, Dan is stronger built and that is very noticeable in the films and make his portrayal less "real".

Also, he used to have a "spark" of quickmind, and he seems to have lost it into something more hesitative, like he lost his curiosity and now is like expecting the events to happen.

Anyway, probably if they had changed the actor it would have looked weird, as the followers of the films are not necessary followers of the books so they would probably feel that "their Harry" was changed into someone else.

[franckolat]

I love Daniel Radcliffe. I think he has the look of Harry Potter (except for the eye color) and he's a great actor when he's not too badly directed. He's kind of charismatic and his jaw is spectacular . I admit he hasn't a lot of screen presence, but Harry is supposed to be calm and self-controlled so it's ok. I'm sure he could give more fierceness to his character if he had to. He's really talented. Another actor could've made Harry appear as a stereotype, but not Dan, because Dan has nuances and delivers a subtle performance.

[SnakeSinister]

Seeing Daniel in the trailer when he confronts Voldemort in the forbidden forrest made me really appreciate how he has carried this role so well for almost 10 years now. I really admire his sincerity in his performance. I also love how nice he is to the fans He stays so grounded despite all of the success he has had.

[franckolat]

I just learned about All Quiet On The Western Front and The Journey Is The Destination.

First, I'm really happy for Dan. Harry Potter really doesn't seem to be his one-hit wonder.

But I'm wondering if those two upcoming films will be box-office successes. I know they're independent, but do you think they will cross at least the 20 million mark?

[Bella_Crucio_U]

Hm not sure but I'm curious to see All Quiet on the Western front because I had to read that book in English last year.

As for Dan as Harry. I think he is the most Harry looking in PoA. His hair is messy and he just looks like Harry in that one. All of the other movies...eh not so much. Just something about him doesn't look Harryish to me. he's a bit short and his hair is always doing weird things. They should have kept it similar to PoA. His acting...I think for sure it was the best in HBP. He isn't the world's greatest actor, but he isn't terrible. I'm fine with Dan over all because I'm so used to him. But when i go and read the books I still have my own version of Harry.

[MoodyHarry]

Well, as always I feel I have to defend Radcliffe.

Overall, I think he is an awesome Harry, given what the movie Director asks of him and also what the script calls for. I think he is quite a good actor and really brings it when asked.

Let me explain.

I think we forget that it is the Director's vision of the film that makes it on to screen. The Director is responsible for visualizing a scene and making it appear onto film.

Her/His job is to tell (direct) the actors and get them to do what she/he wants. If an actor does something that the director doesn't like, then that director should demand another take until it is done as he/she sees fit.

What does this have to do with Radcliffe as Harry? He is an actor, paid well, to do what the director wants. By the later films, I would expect Radcliffe to have some say over how he portrays the character, but let's face it, he (and some of the others) are young. Unless Radcliffe is arrogant and condenscending and a bit of a - well, I can't say it - then he is going to do what the director wants.

For example - one scene in OotP brings this to mind. In the movie, Harry arrives at Grimmauld place and Molly sends him up to a bedroom, which has Ron and Hermione in it and Harry is all moody and miserable. He does it well. Then the twins appear and say the line referencing that Harry was shouting.

What? That was shouting? Harry was angry and miserable yes, but not shouting. His voice was low and angry yet the director allowed the twins line in, even though the continunity is totally wrong. Radcliffe can shout quite nicely actually. It's up to the director to tell his star "Shout when you say this line."

I think people forget that. The Director, especially with these kids, has the power to see the vision come to light. That person needs to be able to translate the scene and feeling onto screen. That director sets the tone and makes each scene. If the actor does what he/she wants, and it makes it into the final cut, the that's what was deemed good.

I just think blaming the actor in some cases is wrong - yes, there are some bad actors, but at the same time, the director is responsible for the overall result.

As to other little things.
Green eyes - well, I would love to have movie Harry have green eyes, since I have green eyes. But if Radcliffe can't take the contacts, that is fine. And it is way too costly to change eye colour - does it really matter?

Height - well, the powers that be cannot see into the future. They cast an adorable kid as the role of Harry, but gambled with his height. How are they supposed to know that Radcliffe would not grow as tall as we would like. So be it. Not everyone has the luck to be tall. But they have a franchise with a known lead actor and is well liked, and that really didn't need to be replaced.

Height, like eye colour, is irrevelant. It's how the story plays out, and how it is portrayed on screen, as opposed to minute details like hair and eye and person who spoke the line.

[Honeyducks]

I LOVE DAN as Harry. He is perfect to the role, and I dont really mind his height because in the books its described as him being short. I think Dan makes a really natural portraying of Harry and that is how I always saw him in the books.

EDIT: Now that I have been thinking about it, I think it is cool that Dan is short. It's cool to have a hero that is short and not tall like we expect from any hero.

[momof3muggles]

I think Dan has done an amazing job bringing Harry to life. I have never ever seen a movie where the character exactly fit the book version. I mean, how could it? You are taking a completely fictional character from an author's mind (with pictures from an illustrator's mind) and creating a living, breathing character.

Do I think Dan did every scene with perfection? No. But I don't know many actors who do, especially if they are doing a series as this and not just one movie.

Dan fits very closely to the Harry I had in mind. Not perfect, but as close as it would probably get.

[darthn312]

Dan has really progressed from being like 11 when he did the Sorcerer's Stone now he's like 17 and he has really stuck with it and grown with the cast.