Saw Harry Potter Part Two

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 7/13/11 at 6:33am

Saw the movie last night at a 12.30am screening in Melbourne Australia.

Really enjoyed it, but have questions that would be classed as major spoilers, so will wait a little longer before asking!

That line brought the house down, Five theatres sold out at screenings from 12.01 till 12,30am

Not sure if the 3D brought anything extra to the movie.

I think stateside the film does not open till Thursday night

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 7/13/11 at 7:22am

It opened here at midnight as well, but I think I will wait.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/13/11 at 9:07am

As far as I know, it doesn't open here until the 15th...still giving us almost 2 days to wait. (Midnight showing nearly every where.)

[littlegreen2]

Posted: 7/13/11 at 9:15am

I'm seeing it tomorrow evening... I'm actually rather devastated. I feel like it was such a key part of my childhood that I'm having a difficult coming to terms with it being over for good.

I'm happy someone made a thread because I thought about it last night. I can't wait to talk about it once I've seen it.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 7/13/11 at 9:42am

I read all the books, well never finished the last one ( got half way into it and her writing annoyed me ).

So have questions about the ending!

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 7/13/11 at 9:56am

Seeing it late afternoon Friday in 2-D. From the reviews (almost all insanely positive) I've read, the 3-D is largely unnecessary.

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 7/13/11 at 11:10am

I'm seeing it this evening at my theater. They are screening it for the employees so that we wouldn't request off the midnight showing to go see it, haha.

[BellatrixxLestrangee]

Posted: 7/14/11 at 12:59am

I saw it on Monday. I've been reading it since 2nd Grade so I'm extremely sad that it's over. I thought this was the best movie yet and it was a great way to end the series.

[clever name]

Posted: 7/14/11 at 1:01am

I'm seeing it tomorrow at midnight and I can't wait!

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 7/14/11 at 3:02am

I was moderately disappointed with the film, but it really did the book justice, though I never felt a "WOW" factor.

I saw it in 2D, though I'm sure the 3D would be great. They really made the movie have a lot of points where things popped out.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 7/14/11 at 8:32am

There was only two major 3D scenes, I don't think you missed anything by not seeing the 3D version.

[littlegreen2]

Posted: 7/14/11 at 1:05pm

I think 3D is obnoxious. I saw that really awful Alice in Wonderland movie in 3D (twice) and it was just distracting both times. Headache inducing.

That said though, I'll probably see DH2 in 3D at least once. I'm seeing it in 2D at midnight tonight, so excited!

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 7/14/11 at 9:57pm

was the movie filmed in IMAX? or rather a couple scenes?

[Q]

Posted: 7/15/11 at 2:45am

"I saw that really awful Alice in Wonderland movie in 3D (twice)"

So you're a masochist? I hope the second dose of awfulness gave you the release you were looking for.

[supportivemom]

Posted: 7/15/11 at 3:11am

Just got back from seeing the movie with my kids. We LOVED it! Definitely held my attention and I'm glad I saw Part 1 at home before seeing Part 2 (for some reason- I never got to the theatre to see Part 1). Anyway- great way to end the series. The performances and special effects were first rate!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/15/11 at 3:33am

It was magnificent.

[Q]

Posted: 7/15/11 at 3:34am

The press is great for this.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 7/15/11 at 4:21am

I just got back, and I can't believe it's over. I was five years old when the first movie was released, and now I'll be fifteen next month. These movies (and books) have been such important parts of my life that it's hard to believe that it's all over. One of my earliest memories is going to see the first movie and being amazed by the magic it possessed. It's hard for me to imagine a world without a new Harry Potter movie to look forward to. I bawled throughout the end of the movie--interestingly enough, starting at Molly Weasley's rage of amazingness--because it just hit me that there would be no more. It was a really great film, and it's my favorite now. It's just really hard to accept that it's over. I, along with everyone else my age, have grown up with the movies, and I feel like I'm really a different person now, and I have really been affected by Harry Potter. What a way to end the series. I'm going to have to stop typing now because I can't really read what I'm writing due to the fact that I'm still crying.

Oh, and I have to say that I loved that it ended with "Harry's Wondrous World" because you've gotta love your John Williams. A near-perfect ending to the series that has played such a huge part in my life and, I'm sure, many others.

[littlegreen2]

Posted: 7/15/11 at 4:45am

I have always been very critical of the Harry Potter films because I am so attached to the books but this movie was BEAUTIFUL. That's the only word I can find. I'm stunned. For the most part, they stayed true to the book and everything was perfect.

Alan Rickman gave an incredible and mind blowing performance in the final installment. He needs to be recognized somehow. For those of you who know what I'm referring to when I say the "Prince's Tale", you will understand that it was the most heart-wrenching cinematic scene I've ever witnessed. I've been waiting the entire series for that moment and Snape will be remain my favorite HP character forever. Alan Rickman really solidified that tonight.

Maggie Smith finally got her moments. I've always been fond of McGonagall but she was never given the screen time she really deserved. She had two or three fantastic scenes and it was great that she was able to go out with a bang.

Molly Weasley's bit was perfect and sparked a loud explosion of applause and cheers from the crowd.

Matthew Lewis should write a book on how to go through puberty like a champ.

I'm underwhelmed by Dan Rad and Rupert Grint. Good performances, but sometimes it felt too rushed and empty. Emma Watson was wonderful, but they didn't give any of them any real 'moments to shine'. In DH1, Emma had a great scene with Bellatrix that really showed her abilities as an actress but it just wasn't there this time.

As for the epilogue - I can't say they didn't try. It was an awful way to end the book but they did their best with the film. I do wish that the final line of the book, "all was well", would appear after the final black screen because it would have felt more complete, if that makes sense.

I still haven't fully stopped crying because this was such a fundamental piece of my childhood (I was only six when the first movie came out and I read the first book that year). At the end of the movie, the theatre said in unison "mischief managed". It was a beautiful end to an incredible era. Rowling is a genius and has helped to change and shape the lives of so many. I am forever grateful.

Updated On: 7/15/11 at 04:45 AM

[Pippin]

Posted: 7/15/11 at 9:08am

for those who have seen it, I'm really interested as to whether they go explain Dumbledore's family backstory........ is the picture of Ariana on the wall at the bar? Do they touch on it at all?

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 7/15/11 at 9:49am

Yup, the picture is there and its addressed when they talk to Abeforth (or however you spell it).

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 7/15/11 at 9:59am

It is loosely addressed. The picture is there and it is referenced as the deceased younger sister and Aberforth clearly blames Albus for her death but none of the backstory regarding Grindelwald is really shared. For people that did not read the book I imagine it is a little confusing how Dumbledore ended up with the Elder wand since the Grindelwald/Dumbledore relationship is mostly omitted from the film.

Despite that omission, and the bizarre dropped thread of Teddy Lupin, the rest of the story held together into a pretty solid narrative.

Alan Rickman was stunning. It is worth seeing the film for his performance alone.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 7/15/11 at 10:11am

Going to have to echo all of the praise for this movie. It's just a beautiful, pitch-perfect sendoff for this fantastic film series. Easily the strongest of all eight films. The visuals are gorgeous, the action is epic, and the performances are the strongest they have ever been. And it was nice to see some familiar faces from movies past, even if only for a brief glimpse.

My one quibble is that I saw it in 3D (inadvertently, as it wasn't advertised as 3D when I bought my ticket) and not only does it add absolutely ZERO to the experience, it makes the film physically darker than it already is. That's $5 thrown away. DO NOT SEE IT IN 3D! As a supporter of 3D, you can take my word for it that it truly does nothing to contribute.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 7/15/11 at 10:23am

Agreed, Color. I specifically did not want to see it in 3D but because the theater never specified the film as 3D I ended up with a ticket inadvertently. Not only did it make an already dark film darker, but I was crying so hard that I kept fogging up the glasses! (Though I must admit the Harry Potter style frames were super cute.)

[pli1018]

Posted: 7/15/11 at 11:33am

I was indifferent on the 3D, but I don't think it detracted anything from the film for me.

That said, I thought the film was stunning, everyone involved was at the top of their game. So many perfect moments. I have minor quibbles of course, but they're really not worth whining over. And can I just say how ecstatic I was to hear those classic John Williams compositions? I bought the soundtrack in advance and was crushed to find the final bars of music would not be "Leaving Hogwarts/Reunion of Friends" The minute the music started, I was done for.

PS: Did the epilogue seem deliberately campy to anyone else? Maybe it was just me.