After awaking yesterday to find my computer smoking like a chimney, a hasty inspection revealed a “Fried” power supply. So off to Best Buy we went! What a perfect excuse to finally get to see the long awaited Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Thirty bucks in tickets and twenty in snacks later; there we sit in front of the “Big-Screen” enduring forty minutes worth of previews.
The movie was well over two hours long and I found myself with mixed feelings. A decent flick no doubt with lots of humor, action and adventure… If only I hadn’t read the book! The director just butchered the cast of characters and re-wrote entire swaths of the plot. I suppose this was done to condense a huge book into a movie format but I found myself longing for the “Extended Version” which apparently doesn’t exist.
The long drive home was spent in conversation between my boys and I enumerating all the characters and storylines that were missing. Here are a few that we came up with… I’m sure there are Harry Potter Fans out there that can add to this list.
- What happened to Winky the House-Elf?
- I didn’t see a trace of Ludo Bagman!
- All the play-time Sirius Black got was a brief “Face in the Fire”?
- I saw nothing of Bertha Jorkins.
- Neville gave Harry Gillyweed? I thought it was Doby!
- Rita Skeeter an Animagus… left that out completely!
- Wasn’t Mr. Crouch Sr. supposed to be under the imperious curse?
- Wasn’t Crouch Jr. supposed to die by dementor kiss?
- The first task… total Hollywood, book version much better.
- The third task… No Skrewts, no Sphinx, no Acromantula, no “Point Me”. What was with all the attacking hedges and vines anyways?
- No story line about Hagrid being Half-Giant.
- Hagrid “Groping” Madame Maxine? – improper, could have done without that!
- No Dursley’s this movie? I can’t believe they left out the “Ton-Tounge Toffee”.
- No Mrs. Weasley?
- I think Fluer and Viktor might have said 10 words between them the entire movie.
- What happened to Harry giving his Tri-Wizard earnings to Fred and George? That event plays an important role in later books!
- Percy Weasley and that story line mysteriously gone in this movie.
- Did Snape or Karkorav say more than 10 words between them?
- The “Young Love” tension between Ron and Hermione isn’t conveyed properly. Hermoine seems more interested in Harry in this movie’s portrayal.
- lots of pensieve trips missing with lots of characters. Example… Bellatrix Lestrange, Antonin Dolohov.
- Dumbledore’s argument with Fudge should have been included at the end.
Please feel free to comment on anything we missed!
I did enjoy lots of the movie though. Some of my favorite parts were….
- The second task.
- Malfoy the incredible bouncing Ferret.
- The Yule Ball and Ron’s Dress-Robe embarrassment.
- The Weasley twins bearded after crossing the age line.
- Harry slopping pumpkin juice on himself when Cho Chang says hi.
- Harry’s Duel with Voldemort.
- Harry’s bath with Moaning Myrtle.
I dunno, maybe it will grow on me more once I watch it again. We are supposed to be taking our neighbor to see it next week. Our Birthday present to her while her hubby watches the kids!
Anyone who has seen it, tell me what you think?
Mike, I have to agree with you on most of your comments on this movie. I have not read the book yet, so I wasn’t dissappointed by any of the things you identified as missing. Still, I did get the feeling some significant things were left out of the movie; not sure why. Wendy said there was a new director for this one, so that might have something to do with it. I seriously suspect that they are running out of time with the current cast of youngsters, as they appear to be growing up faster than the story unfolds. Think they’ll make it?
Lee
Very interesting question Lee. I thought I had read somewhere that Contracts with the actors that play Ron, Hermione and Harry end with this movie and there is a big question mark as to whether or not they will be renewed for the last 3 installments.
In my opinion, a change of cast would be devastating to the series. I mean, I still can’t get used to the “New” Dumbledore… but that might be just because I feel the Original actor conveyed his character much better.
You have way too much time on your hands.
Yep…Yep…Yep… Mr. Lawrence. Way too much time on my hands. Time to enjoy the family, the house, some good movies, good books, holidays at home with a warm fire and the stress-free lifestyle. Woa is me!