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Click Click Click Click. (A Representation Of Noise, Rather Than An Instruction.)

I was surprised to realise how excited I was about seeing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, but of course I grew up with these books. I read the first one when I was ten, and even with the delays in their being released I more or less aged alongside Harry. My enthusiasm waned a little towards the end, but the Harry Potter books were still a huge, huge part of my teenage years.

Here are my thoughts on the film!

- I am so glad that the films stopped being scene-for-scene retellings of the books around Prisoner of Azkaban. The first two are so dreadfully dull, because you already know everything that's going to be said and everything that's going to happen. Since the filmmakers gained the courage to edge away from the books a bit, the films have been getting better and better.

- Destroying the Millennium Bridge! You and Doctor Who should hang out and blow up London landmarks together, Harry Potter. (I did find seeing places I recognised on the cinema screen rather exciting, I have to admit.)

- I really liked the little wizarding-world touches in this film. The fire lizard roasting chestnuts! Wonderful!

- I think I may like Harry and Ginny's relationship more in the films than I do in the books. I am not quite sure why! All I know is that, when the Unexpected Fire And Running Through A Cornfield And Blowing Up The Burrow Hang On I Don't Remember This Happening In The Book scene interrupted their almost-a-kiss, I was genuinely disappointed.

- I couldn't quite keep myself from envisioning a monster bursting out of Harry's chest when he saw her with Dean, though. THANKS, ROWLING.

- Also, I am now thinking about Ginny Weasley/Dean Winchester. That would be interesting, certainly.

- Has Emma Watson become a better actress? She no longer breathes every one of her lines! I was actually rather enjoying her Hermione.

- Also I was maybe possibly 'shipping Harry/Hermione. A bit. I can't 'ship it properly, or at least not on its own, because I can't bear to leave Ron out (unlike the filmmakers, apparently, who will happily put Ron in the background of the final scene and give him no lines whilst Harry and Hermione converse in the foreground), but, er, yes. I want internal conflict within the trio over Harry/Hermione and Hermione/Ron, perhaps with a few Harry/Ron hints, eventually concluding with a charming little polyamorous cohabitation resolution.

- Ron really could have done with more of a role. I feel he's generally been neglected over the course of the films. He's used for comic relief, and that's fine, but then Serious Scenes come along and he is immediately and completely forgotten about. You can't do that! Ron is really important!

- (Yes, the fact that Hermione was the one to notice the scars on Harry's hand in the Order of the Phoenix film still stings. MY FAVOURITE HARRY-AND-RON MOMENT EVER, AND THEY JUST TOOK IT AWAY.)

- Now that I think about it, Ron's lack of a role in the final scene really is extremely odd, because surely he should have a say in the 'YES, HARRY, OF COURSE WE'LL DROP OUT OF SCHOOL AND TRAVEL IN SEARCH OF WHO KNOWS WHAT WITH YOU' thing.

- Was Dumbledore really creepy at the beginning of this film, or was I imagining things?

- I LOVE LUNA. I LOVE HER SO MUCH. She just sort of disappeared halfway through, didn't she? COME BACK, LUNA; YOU ARE AMAZING. 'It's like walking with a friend.' Oh, I want to give her so many hugs. And Harry saying he is a friend, and her dreamy 'That's nice', and I love them and I love their friendship and I want her to have a role several million times bigger.

- Slughorn was rather excellent. He's not quite as I imagined him, but I think I preferred him here, and I liked that he actually asked for Aragog's venom. And Tom Riddle was perfect. I always imagined Young Tom Riddle looking exactly like the younger of my brothers did before he hit puberty, and the actor gets close enough to my little brother and then adds creepiness.

- Why introduce Fenrir if you're not going to do anything with him? His most significant role is attacking Bill, and Bill seems to have been expunged entirely. It is bizarre.

- Hee, Ron under the influence of the love potion! And Harry after taking the Felix Felicis! Marvellous!

- The force-feeding Dumbledore the liquid scene was not nearly as horrific in the film as it was in the book. I can't say I am disappointed that I was not twisting uncomfortably around in my seat and trying to hide my face.

- I had forgotten what a massive obsessed stalker Harry is in this book. Harry/Draco: entirely plausible. I was expecting him to fall to his knees in the water and pull the bleeding Draco into his arms after the Sectumsempra incident, and when he did not I felt mildly cheated.

- In the film, Draco says, 'I've got to kill you, or he'll kill me.' In the book, he says that Voldemort threatened to kill him and his family. I am quite sad that they took that out. Say what you will about the Malfoys, but they love each other, and that was always one of Draco's better qualities.

- Oh, poor terrified Draco. Bless him. I really love the poor boy in Half-Blood Prince, and I love the way Felton played his story here.

- I'm glad they took out the battle in the castle. I was rather dreading that. I'm not sure why. (Although, as

twicetheheart31 pointed out, it makes the entire vanishing cabinet business rather pointless.)

- I cannot judge the emotional impact of Dumbledore's death, because my dad leant over to me when he (Dumbledore, not my dad) was falling from the tower and whispered, 'Anyone who cries has to walk home,' and I was too busy giggling to focus on the screen. Sorry, Dumbledore. Also, I'm not really a great fan of Michael Gambon's portrayal.

- I did get a bit sniffly during the raising of the wands, though.

- In conclusion: I enjoyed it! Also, the entire film was really, really, really pretty.

- EDIT: OH, YES, I FORGOT TO MENTION. The bit where Snape escorts Draco from Slughorn's party, and then pins him against the wall and tells him he's an idiot?

I have never 'shipped Snape and Draco before, but, er.

Er.

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My dad just gave me a Look and laughed as I was drying my eyes with my hoodie after Dumbledore's death and the wand scene (oh god the wand scene), so I punched him in the arm.

And oh Draco. Oh Draco. Despite me not shipping Harry and Draco for years, I swear there was a point in the film where they just looked at each other and fanfiction was writing itself in my head. I'm such a spontaneous shipper of stuff. *facepalms*

I missed Luna, too. She's so delightfully airy and unserious about everything, and it makes her so gorgeous. ♥

~~I don't have any Harry Potter icons why don't I have any Harry Potter icons I need to go get some Harry Potter icons NO TIME FOR GRAMMAR THAT WAS A WHOLE SENTENCE IN MY HEAD.~~

Hee, awww!

I've read a couple of Harry/Draco pieces in the past, but I've never seriously 'shipped it. Except for in Half-Blood Prince, when it abruptly becomes entirely true.

I just read your thoughts on the film, and they reminded me that I had exactly the same response to the Draco-and-Snape-against-a-wall scene, oh dear. I'll edit that into my entry.

Now that I think about it, Ron's lack of a role in the final scene really is extremely odd, because surely he should have a say in the 'YES, HARRY, OF COURSE WE'LL DROP OUT OF SCHOOL AND TRAVEL IN SEARCH OF WHO KNOWS WHAT WITH YOU' thing.

Ron's the one to say it in the book! He says, and I quote, "We'll be there, Harry[...] we'll go with you, wherever you're going[...] We're with you whatever happens..."

SEE, FILM MAKERS? SEE?!

Also, I felt it needed more Lupin. But then again, I think everything needs more Lupin, even things entirely unrelated to Harry Potter.

Also I was maybe possibly 'shipping Harry/Hermione. A bit. I can't 'ship it properly, or at least not on its own, because I can't bear to leave Ron out (unlike the filmmakers, apparently, who will happily put Ron in the background of the final scene and give him no lines whilst Harry and Hermione converse in the foreground), but, er, yes. I want internal conflict within the trio over Harry/Hermione and Hermione/Ron, perhaps with a few Harry/Ron hints, eventually concluding with a charming little polyamorous cohabitation resolution.

You know, I have never been big on Harry/Hermione, but you're starting to make it sound appealing.

Although I still like bickery Hermione/Luna, where they travel around, investigating alleged magical creatures with proper science, argue about proof, and then Luna gets so excited when she finds an actual nargle that she kisses Hermione.

Argh. I like Hermione, but I do not approve of her stealing all of Ron's touching moments. Stop it! Ron can be serious!

I actually didn't mind the lack of Lupin, just because Lupin in the film is so entirely not the Lupin in my head. But Lupin turning up in completely non-Harry Potter related things would be hilarious.

Why is nobody else annoyed that Snape's making the Unbreakable Vow was turned by the filmmakers from Narcissa Malfoy doing her utmost to ensure her son's safety into Bellatrix goading Snape into being nice? Why?!

My theory is that they're going to have Lupin and Tonks' wedding at the beginning of the next film, as Bill and Fleur and therefore what I found a rather touching subplot of the last two books appear to have been eradicated. Thoughts?

I know! There's touching moments to go around! They should both get moments of "I am an awesome friend who cares about Harry a lot!"

It could be like Where's Wally?, with Lupin popping up in the background. Or he could have guest star roles. Nghah, in one of Derren Brown's TV shows? Or in Supernatural! Oh, the endless possibilities!

Edited 2009-07-22 16:11 (UTC)

Harry/Ron/Hermione- I ship it so hard <3

And I'd read good (ha :() Snape/Draco too.

I have never 'shipped Snape and Draco before, but, er.

They are my favorite part of this book. Everything involving either one of them, and then everything involving both of them. No kidding involved.

Okay, Slughorn being all skeevy was also a favorite part.

Aww, no Ron? Boy needs more love! I hope they don't take out all his significant parts in the last book because he had a lot.

"- I LOVE LUNA. I LOVE HER SO MUCH. She just sort of disappeared halfway through, didn't she? COME BACK, LUNA; YOU ARE AMAZING. 'It's like walking with a friend.' Oh, I want to give her so many hugs. And Harry saying he is a friend, and her dreamy 'That's nice', and I love them and I love their friendship and I want her to have a role several million times bigger."

my friend dressed up as Luna! And she was perfect at it. Although I was Tonks and I yelled at her in the beginning when she totally stole my part on the train.

I think I decided I liked it as a movie, but cannot compare the movies too closely to the books without losing my mind. I also grew up with the books, and was also a dork and went to midnight parties and such, so I'm a huge, very picky fan.

"- I cannot judge the emotional impact of Dumbledore's death, because my dad leant over to me when he (Dumbledore, not my dad) was falling from the tower and whispered, 'Anyone who cries has to walk home,' and I was too busy giggling to focus on the screen. "

Can I just tell you, when my Dad read this book after me, he scared the shit out of me one day when he started SCREAMING my name downstairs, before running up the stairs, where he looked at me in shock and said "Dumbledore died!" I seriously thought something terrible had happened, and that was all he was upset about.

I have to agree that branching out from the books a little has made the movies much more enjoyable, and that they should stop giving Hermione all of Ron's best lines. Though on the other hand, this is probably the first movie where the portrayal of Ron didn't actively annoy me.

Also I really like both Harry/Hermione and Harry/Ginny in the movies, which scares me a little since I've never really cared for either that much in the books.

Honestly though, I have to say the best part of the whole thing was going with a bunch of friends who had never read the books and having way too much fun listening to their theories and making up ridiculous fake spoilers for the last movie.

I did find seeing places I recognised on the cinema screen rather exciting, I have to admit.

I know how you feel. The Dark Knight was filmed in Chicago and I live near there, so even thought it was supposed to be Gotham I kept thinking "I know that building! I've walked down that street!"

Okay, so I'm not the only weirdo thinking Winchester whenever Dean's name was mentioned. I was giggling to myself in the theater a bit, I admit. :)

In the film, Draco says, 'I've got to kill you, or he'll kill me.' In the book, he says that Voldemort threatened to kill him and his family. I am quite sad that they took that out. Say what you will about the Malfoys, but they love each other, and that was always one of Draco's better qualities.

THANK YOU FOR SAYING THIS. When he didn't mention his family in the film, I was actually stung. I almost went into a huge rant about in on my LJ but decided that I was the only one who cared.... yayyyy, I'm not!

I AGREE WITH A GOOD MANY OF THESE POINTS.

Especially the last one.

I had forgotten what a massive obsessed stalker Harry is in this book. Harry/Draco: entirely plausible.

ME TOO. :O :O :O

I LOVE IT.

My reaction was mostly INTENSE GIGGLING and "yay they took out what I didn't like and put in more of what I did!" The romances were not ridiculous! I mean, I'd rather have Tonks just be with Remus than be all mopey and losing her awesome over it.

Although I did quite miss the Fleur/Bill bit. But, still, even with it I didn't like the sixth book very much, and here I did.

I kind of whooped with joy when Draco was crying, and then he cries again and I'm pretty sure I went "YAY" out loud.

ALSO, on a completely unrelated note, I have a very important question for you regarding that thing I am sending to you (because I am still sending it, damn it... it might just... take 'til, like, this coming Christmas):

WHAT...

IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? And what is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?<.s>

And be specific! Not just "blue," if that's it. "Like blue, a bit pale, sort of like the sky but a little more like chalk" would be good. Or "periwinkle." Also, if there's a color you particularly like with it, that is also important.

Oh fucking fuck, I suck at HTML.

Hello! I am responding to your comment whilst sitting directly across from you! Isn't technology amazing? (This keyboard really is tricky, though.)

ICU THAR

OK, going back to my essay >_>

ALSO I FORGOT

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexisalex/3519670022/

Edited 2009-07-23 14:35 (UTC)

I think this is an excellent idea. In every episode of everything ever: SPOT THE WEREWOLF.

(Remus Lupin would make a truly excellent Supernatural guest star.)

Awww, your Hermione/Luna idea is lovely! But, yes, I think I have realised that Harry/Hermione/Ron is my main Harry Potter 'ship.

Not that I wouldn't totally read that Hermione/Luna fic were you to write it.

Edited 2009-07-23 19:46 (UTC)

I had forgotten exactly how the Unbreakable Vow scene went in the book! Had I remembered, I probably would have objected to that. What do you have against the Malfoys' love for each other, Person Responsible?

I'm expecting Lupin and Tonks' wedding as well. (Yes, Bill and Fleur were lovely! But I suppose the film was already rather long.)

Oh, yes, I will be very distressed if they cut out his parts in the final book. If Hermione is the one to save Harry from drowning, I may throw things at the screen.

(I am already preparing to be Rather Displeased by the final film, because they are almost certainly going to cut out Phineas Nigellus, who is - entirely inexplicably - my favourite character.)

I was rather pleased that Luna stole Tonks' part. I'm sorry! Luna is just so lovely. I wouldn't object so much to the sidelining of Ron if Luna were the one getting all his lines.

And that story about your dad is absolutely adorable.

I am not the only one who likes Harry/Ginny more in the films than in the books! I cannot explain it, but somehow they work on the screen in a way in which they didn't on the page. (Possibly because the portrayal on the screen has fewer chest monsters.)

My goodness, where did you find friends who had never read the books? (That does sound rather fun.)

Of course, Dean hates witches, so who knows how Ginny/Dean would work?

I am very glad you also care about the narrowing of Draco's motives! I don't understand why they cut it out at all. It couldn't have taken more than a couple of seconds, so it couldn't have been due to time issues.

I remember having much the same response when Snape pinned Quirrel against a wall in the first film. STOP PINNING PEOPLE AGAINST WALLS, SNAPE. Wait, did I say 'stop'? I meant 'do it more'.

He is just entirely mad. Harry, stop following Draco down alleyways and along corridors and into bathrooms. Or at least admit why you're really doing it.

I agree with you about the Tonks-is-already-with-Lupin decision! I don't quite understand why she was brown-haired and rather subdued anyway, though.

...I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY FAVOURITE COLOUR IS. Er er er. Dark blue and gold are a nice combination? (I would so entirely fail to cross the Bridge of Death.)

Luna is very lovely. and my friend ended up winning the costume contest we dressed up for, so I couldn't get too mad.

I will have to tell him someone thinks he's adorable :P

I think on screen it was more understated? Even when it was obvious it seemed cute and natural instead of forcibly reminding me from that scene from Alien.

They are almost ten years older than me, and didn't really grow up with the books like I did (I was seven when Sorcerer's Stone came out and the books were a massive part of my childhood), but still, I was also very surprised to learn they hadn't even read them once. (Oh, it was.)

Like this kind of a combination? Or more navy-ish, or paler gold?

I AM BEING OBNOXIOUS I KNOW, but I promise there's a reason! (http://www.serving-alto-cayma.info/cards/images/Gold_Cross.jpg)

OH MY GOD I FAIL SO HARD.

That works! (I am so curious about this Mysterious Thing.)

i'm such a tinhat, but this book just took it to a whole other level. omg. ungh.

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Click Click Click Click. (A Representation Of Noise, Rather Than An Instruction.)

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