Harry Potter V film

[pne]

So I went to watch the newest Harry Potter film today.

On the whole, the film was recognisable as what I remembered of the book, though it was obviously shorter.

Umbridge was fairly well portrayed, I thought -- sadistic but putting on an air of sweetness and light.

I was a bit puzzled by the fact that it was Cho who betrayed Dumbledore's Army rather than whoever it was in the book (Marietta something?) -- perhaps they picked her because she'd be recognisable as someone who had been in the army? I'm not sure what her motivation would be in the filmverse; it seemed rather haphazard, especially given the emphasis on how much she seemed to like Harry.

(Speaking of Cho, at first I thought she had an American accent, since it was rhotic, but in one of the longer stretches of dialogue it sounded more Scottish to me, which made a lot more sense given where Katie Leung is from.)

I also wondered at this one scene in the Gryffindor common room where Hermione had her hair back; I nearly didn't recognise her and wondered why they did that, only for that scene.

And I haven't figured out what the rules seem to be on where students have to wear uniforms and when they can wear "civilian" clothes; the latter seem to be pretty frequent in all of the films (especially after the first), which surprises me a little. But then, I don't know what dress code in a real boarding school is like.

Usually, this is my "squeee!!" icon; this time, though, I picked it because it's a Potterverse icon. (And Mmm, Emma Watson.)

Comments

[isabeau.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure what her motivation would be in the filmverse; it seemed rather haphazard, especially given the emphasis on how much she seemed to like Harry.

She had no motivation. Intentionally, I mean, rather than a misstep on the part of the filmmakers.

When Umbridge wanted Snape to fetch veritaserum to question Harry-et-al, he was all "...you used the last of it questioning the students, particularly Miss Chang." So it wasn't that Cho betrayed them intentionally (as IIRC it was with Marietta in the book), it was that she was forced to provide the information.

...why it worked on Cho and not the other students, I don't know, but.

(movie!Cho is adorable.)

[eva]

Yes, in the book, Marietta betrays them more or less willingly - her mother works in the ministry, so I guess we can assume some pressure from that side.

[pne.livejournal.com]

When Umbridge wanted Snape to fetch veritaserum to question Harry-et-al, he was all "...you used the last of it questioning the students, particularly Miss Chang." So it wasn't that Cho betrayed them intentionally (as IIRC it was with Marietta in the book), it was that she was forced to provide the information.

Oh right; I remember that now. Just didn't add 1+1 together.

...why it worked on Cho and not the other students, I don't know, but.

Good point. Perhaps one shouldn't overanalyse if one is to enjoy the film's plot :)

[eva]

Umbridge was fairly well portrayed, I thought -- sadistic but putting on an air of sweetness and light.

I loved movie!Umbridge - meaning I detested her from the moment I first saw her, which is just as things should be with her character.

Don't let me get started on Hermione's hair. Ever since the third movie, there wasn't much "bushiness" left. And that DRESS in the last movie - guh.

[arthur-sc-king.livejournal.com]

(http://www.digitalmediafx.com/Monsters/Gallery/Roz01..jpg)I haven't seen the movie yet ... but after reading OOTP, I kinda thought Umbridge would be uglier ... imagine Roz in Monsters, Inc. (http://www.digitalmediafx.com/Monsters/Gallery/Roz01..jpg).

[lnbw.livejournal.com]

I was a bit puzzled by the fact that it was Cho who betrayed Dumbledore's Army rather than whoever it was in the book (Marietta something?)

My guess was that they did this to eliminate the character of Marietta and give Cho something else to do. It's the only thing I've heard about that disappoints me, so far. (I haven't seen the movie yet, so I may be completely wrong -- maybe Marietta does lots of other things!)

[nyssa.livejournal.com]

I was upset at how they handled the thing with Cho. I initially was very approving of the idea of replacing Marietta. From a filmmaker's standpoint, it makes total sense: no need to build up two characters, when one will do the job, and it also gives Harry a much more concrete reason for never talking to Cho again (I personally thought the book was all a misunderstanding that could have been resolved, had all parties involved not been too juvenile to actually sort things out).

However, they botched it terribly - being under the influence of Veritaserum is a condition she wasn't responsible for, and thus nobody can really blame her for telling. So the Army never really had a legitimate excuse for shunning her. It wasn't her fault.

Here's what I would have liked to have seen: Instead of Cho being under the influence of Veritaserum, it would have been more upsetting, and more appropriate, for Cho to say something like, "You don't understand the pressure - my mum works at the Ministry! I had to!". Maybe her mum's job was threatened, or something. It would have made total sense within the movie (especially since they made it a point to mention that her mum was employed by the Ministry), and would have sealed the demise of Cho/Harry.

Also, yes, Katie is Scottish, and as far as I know, she never changed her accent.

I have no experience with boarding school, but I would imagine it's something like private school, except you live there. Therefore, whenever you're in class, you are expected to wear your uniform (as at a private school), but any other time, you may wear what you like (within reason, since they're still technically on school grounds - like in the fourth book when McGonagall makes a comment about the girls letting their hair down). That's just how I see it, anyway.

[ubykhlives.livejournal.com]

However, they botched it terribly - being under the influence of Veritaserum is a condition she wasn't responsible for, and thus nobody can really blame her for telling. So the Army never really had a legitimate excuse for shunning her. It wasn't her fault.

I thought that the scene where Harry walks straight past Cho was before they found out about the Veritaserum?

[nyssa.livejournal.com]

True, but after they found out, there would, theoretically, be no reason Harry and Cho couldn't get back together. Having her purposefully-but-accidentally spill the beans would be much less excusable.

[ubykhlives.livejournal.com]

(Speaking of Cho, at first I thought she had an American accent, since it was rhotic, but in one of the longer stretches of dialogue it sounded more Scottish to me, which made a lot more sense given where Katie Leung is from.)

Yes, it's a Scottish (probably Glaswegian, although I can't be certain) accent, but not as strong as some; if you've ever heard Billy Connolly's early material, you'll have some idea of just how unintelligible a Scot in full flight can be. Katie Leung's accent is a lot more recognisable in Goblet of Fire, I thought.

[node-ue.livejournal.com]

Cho betrayed them because Umbridge had Snape giver her some potion to make her tell the truth; Snape mentions this briefly when Umbridge demands more of the potion to make them tell the truth later