Harry Potter Movie

Let me start off with the standard disclaimer... this post contains no spoilers. I *refuse* to ruin movies for people. It is an awful thing to do, and people who give away key parts of a movie should be exiled!

This weekend I went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Okay, actually I saw it twice (I was invited by a few different friends).

Those of you who have seen my Transformers movie review know that there were two movies that I was greatly looking forward to this summer, Transformers and H.P. #5. This was a movie that I had been waiting to see... ever since the last one had come out.. I admit it, I am a movie addict. After seeing one, I cannot wait to see another.

I'm a big fan of the books, and I have sincerely enjoyed all of the H.P. movies, even this last one. As you can probably tell, I am not ranking this latest installment of the H.P. franchise as one of the better films.

Don't get me wrong, please. I really did enjoy the movie! I went in with expectations suitably lowered by my insightful friend Beth, and I have to admit from the early quasi-negative friend-reviews that I received, I was pleasantly surprised!

The movie, however, could have been so much more. I think that (without giving anything away) that the movie could have been editted a little better, with some scenes completely left out, and others lengthened, or added in all together. My one complaint for the movie was that it seemed to try to focus on too much, with little bits here and there on a variety of areas... and I would have liked to see it compacted and tightned up a little more. Heighten the suspense a notch, add in a little more humor. Show some cleavage!!! I mean, am I the only one who thinks Prof. Minerva McGonagall is hot???

Kidding!!!! She's a great actress though, and I think her barbed sarcasm could have been used a little more in several of the scenes. She reminds me of an older version of a friend of mine (DDQ). One of a kind, awesomely talented, and able to crush someone with a look or ripping comment.

The special effects were well done. The acting... well if you have seen any of the H.P. movies you know about the acting... some good, some bad, and always enjoyable.

Hhmm on my personal scale? It's a mixed review. If you can see it on the Imax, go for it! The 3d parts are a lot of fun! I think this movie calls out for a big screen... but over all, if I had to wait for DVD release, I would not have been crushed on seeing the final cut.

I admit, though, I am really looking forward to the DVD, and I am hoping that there will be a lot of extended sequences and (crossing fingers) a longer Director's cut.