Shocking, I know. This never happens. But honestly, THE DEATHLY HALLOWS was a slog for me. If I wasn't reading it out loud to my son, I doubt I would have finished reading it at all. Did we really need to document every, single, painful moment spent in the flipping tent?
But HP7P2 made clear for me things that were not so clear (and way too long) in the book (i.e. Dumbledore in King's Cross Station). The showdowns between Minerva and Snape (the entire audience cheered) and Molly and Bellatrix (of course we cheered again!) were AWESOME. I think my favorite scenes were the ones with Neville. He literally stole the show when he was on screen. And excuse me, but when did he get so good looking? How does that sneak up on someone when we've watched him grow up on screen?
I took my son to the midnight opening because come on, IT'S THE LAST ONE. And what a blast to be caught up in the whole experience: being up late with a bunch of dressed up crazies to be part of this shared cultural phenomenon. My son was shocked that I didn't cry, even at the death scene of my favorite character. Maybe since I knew it was coming. Maybe it happened too fast. Maybe I just have no tears at 2 in the morning.
But I am sad that this is truly the end.
Thank you, J.K. Rowling, for an amazing series of books, movies and memories.
25 comments:
I went to a midnight premiere, too, just because it was THE LAST ONE.
I was surprised that I had no problem staying awake (which is unusual because anytime I sit down to watch a movie, I fall asleep!)
What an awesome experience.
(But I did have 2 a.m. tears...)
Shelley
Omigosh, Shelley -- I wasn't sure if I'd be able to stay awake either! But once the movie started, it was no problem at all. I was completely caught up in it. Definitely an awesome experience :)
Can you believe I haven't seen any of the HP movies? Maybe some day... But just the same, I heart JK Rowling.
Voldemort's hug cracked me up. MAD AWKWARD.
I don't know if I liked the movie better, but it did make me want to reread all the books soon. It was a very satisfying film, and I enjoyed the epilogue (as opposed to in the book, where I thought it was ridiculous). I do wish they hadn't glossed over all the deaths so quickly, but they did a good job emphasizing the revelations Harry had to make, and the emotions he felt, and the enormity of what he chose to do.
Also, Ginny's soccer mom hair was hilarious. :P
I went to the midnight showing too, also because it was THE LAST. I even dressed up (blogged about that today too), haha!
I like certain aspects of Book 7 more than the movies (like McGonagall kicking out all the Slytherins in the movie was a fun moment, but ultimately a no-go for me since it kinda undermines JKR's message about House unity & not all Slytherins being bad). BUT overall, I agree with you about liking the movies for Book 7 more than the book itself. (I also liked movie 5 better than Book 5 for much the same reason - too much long, meandery stuff.)
The epilogue is awkward either way though. Haha.
Glad you enjoyed it, and yes OMG NEVILLE! :)
The Neville/Luna connection made me like the movie more. ;)
And I totally agree with you on some parts actually gaining clarity via the film (when does that ever happen, right?)
People clapped when Mrs Weasley killed Bellatrix, and when Neville killed Nagini.And this was Saturday morning, the 945am showing. Glad I saw it in 3-D, too.
HELLOOOO, Neville! :)
I loved that he was a key part of the ending.
I was on the verge of tears for the whole movie. My son kept reminding me not to sob loudly when the part came that he knew I'd cry (because I sobbed loudly when I read him that part in the book). The movie was AMAZING! One little flaw: should have had more Fred and George. I love them.
And agreeing with Kristan, they should have let us have more of a moment to grieve over the deaths. It did seem glossed over.
I confess I cried a bit. I loved the film. I could make a long list of why, but several reasons are Minerva and the spell she always wanted to do, Neville and his courage and even the moment when Draco and his mother walk away from the Deatheaters. So much to love, I've got to go see it again.
Wow. I have to be honest, I felt the SAME WAY about the last book. To me, we had spent so long building up the story that there were no real surprises in the last book, and it was so long it dragged for me. As such I wasn't too excited to watch the film, but this makes me actually anticipate it! And I love the pic of Neville, when DID he start looking like that?!?!
It was a lot better than Part I.
I'm so looking forward to seeing this movie!! I have an aversion to crowded movie theaters so I'll wait another week or two. Very glad to hear you say the movie is better than the book; I had a similar problem with all of those tedious tent scenes.
Ooh, he did get good looking. When did that happen? I enjoyed the ending of the Deathly Hallows. But that middle section with the tent needed a whole bunch of editing and trimming. Way to long and boring for me. :)
I was one of the sad ones who read the last two books back to back in about 12 minutes while my son was in hospital. They were perfect for taking my mind away from hospital beds and now I can't wait to see the last movie!
Neville, really? Guess I will see.
I agree about Neville, I still remember the chubby kid he was in the first movie. The change in his appearance is so shocking!
I actually didn't read the books. My favourite movies are the first and the last one :)
I bawled through the whole thing, but I'm a mush. And it was awesome! :)
I haven't been able to watch the movies because I didn't want them to ruin the books for me. Words are so...powerful. But, now that they're all out...
hi miss sherrie! im glad you could stay awake for being up way late and im happy you liked the movie. i didnt go see it yet but im gonna. i dont know if it could get me crying but im thinking im gonna. ack! have a fun weekend!
...hugs from lenny
I won't be seeing it until it comes out on DVD. Then hubby and I will have a HP movie marathon.
I have not seen the final one yet, but am so looking forward to it. Sad it is the end too I must say....what a story she created! Am reading them all again and waiting for Pottermore now!
I'm looking foward to the final movie. I felt the same way you did about the book. I know the characters spent long periods bored, but I really wouldn't have minded her just telling us, that instead of me living through it with them. ;)
I LOVED the other books, though.
That's good to know. I still haven't seen any of the movies because I liked the books so much, but maybe I should give them a try after all.
Oh, and I thought the second HP book was an absolute slog. I didn't get through it the first time. A few years later I was determined to do it, so I got it out on audio. The entire series was transformed for me thanks to Jim Dale. That guy can READ.
This is so funny because one of the reasons I resisted reading the books at all is because I thought the movies were so darn slow! The only HP movie I really enjoyed was number 3. I've only read the first book, and I did like it better than the movie, but...I have to admit I'm not a huge fan.
Taking your kiddo to a midnight showing...How fun! My daughter and I talked about it, but in the end she said she'd rather just wait until it came out on dvd. So we haven't seen it yet. :(
I haven't watched this movie yet, but I'm sad to see it all end. I'd like to buy a box set of all the books and devour them one after the other (I'm not a big movie person).
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