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Early reviews of 'OotP' from Chicago screenings 
MARCH 5, 2007 at 9:12 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: Various
Some early reviews of screenings of an unfinished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which took place in Chicago recently, have appeared online. It would seem that Evanna is getting rave reviews, as well as Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange and Imelda Staunton as Professor/Hogwarts High Inquisitor Umbridge. Some say the film is a bit unpolished (it's still being edited; visual effects and soundtrack are incomplete).
We have an account below exclusive to HPANA but you can also read reviews from:
- TLC
- Ain't It Cool News
- MuggleNet
- Harry Potter Fan Zone
- IMDb discussion forums (registration required)
Highlight the area below (spoiler warning!) to read what Michelle sent us, an account she received from her friend who attended a screening and followup panel discussion:
---====Firstly, she emphasized how drastically edited the film is from the book. She said it started out really well in keeping with the book but definitely changed by the end, cutting quite a few things in the process. Hermione and Ron as prefects is not mentioned; Occlumency scenes do not have much importance in the film and the Snape's Worst Memory scene is not, as far as the film showed, taking place in the Pensieve but just in a moment between Snape and Harry where Harry has seen into Snape's mind; Snape does not throw a fit over Harry seeing this so the scene where he shakes Harry and throws him across the room and hurls a jar at him DOES NOT HAPPEN, much to MY disappointment; much of the Department of Mysteries is cut down with just the Ministry being shown, the room with all the prophecies, and then the room with the Veil; Lucius does indeed spend more time fighting Sirius and then boom, Bellatrix jumps in, and before she knew it, Sirius was dead. She said she was disappointe d with the execution of this scene in that it was too quick and almost unimportant in the way it happens.
Voldemort vs. Dumbledore was a decent scene. Apparently Luna was a great thing and she loved how Umbridge was played, but she was disappointed with the heavy-handed emphasis on love and loyalty in that it was constantly being reinforced every few minutes. Otherwise, the good elements were the acting, especially as Dan Radcliffe has suddenly jumped being a really great actor; the overall feel of the film kept with the past two films so the look and feel of the film was nice; overall it was a good movie she said, but it was abundant with disappointments (and this is coming from a mild fan of the series, so even she was sorry to see the choppiness of the story).
The general vibe to promote is that David Yates has created an okay film, but Prisoner of Azkaban and even Goblet of Fire are apparently by far better. OotP will be very choppy and lack a decent amount of cohesion, unless certain aspects are fixed before its release.
Bullet points:
- Fred and George's escape is not that great; they do not have a swamp and the fireworks are okay and it's all rather short.
- The Dementor attack is really pretty good but the whole beginning is really rushed and the Order is not as big as it should be - Tonks, Mad-Eye, Lupin, and Shacklebolt are there and that's it.
- The editing needs to be improved and she thought many of the scenes at the end need to be re-shot altogether because they're just not good - ex. Dumbledore and Harry after Sirius' death includes a watered-down version of the prophecy with limited explanation as to what it means and no explanation as to why Dumbledore avoided Harry all year. The very ending scene is everyone getting on the train and more of that silly "it's going to be okay" speech going on with Hermione trying to remind everyone about friendship, despite the fact that Hermione and Ron are not that big in the film.
- Ron and Hermione getting made prefect is not addressed
- Ginny is hardly in the film so much so that people in the discussion group didn't know who she was at the end of the film, so no build-up to her relationship with Harry
- There was at one moment contemporary pop music playing in the common room, like the kind of music that we find on the radio and not anything made up for the wizarding world. She hopes it was just fill-in music but if it stays, it has no place in a Potter film.
- She said the whole story for Cho is completely nuts in that it's nothing like the book.
- She said the film is being labeled as PG-13 but that too often it tried to be too kid-friendly so it detracted from scenes that ought to have been more intense.
- Much of the audience seemed confused with quite a bit of it apparently. Especially the ending which she says is just a mess in a way. It's all over the place.
- She said overall it was okay. Not amazing, not really good, just okay. She's disappointed with quite a bit of it and feels that both Goblet of Fire and even more so Prisoner of Azkaban are the best in the series and that Alfonso Cuaron should return to the series to film Half-Blood Prince because she feels the series needs redeeming again. She feels Cuaron is the best director because he will be loyal to the fans while also making a good film, something David Yates failed to do with Order of the Phoenix.
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Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 25980
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
OOO! Nice nice!
I read the one on leaky last night but not the other one!
I shall read it now!
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 9:17 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1771
Patronus** says:
I wish i could watch early screening! Hee hee hee!
Sounds like the film looks great already and it's not finished yet!
I am still looking forward to watching this, even though it says that it is not much different from the other 2!
Let's hope it's better......MUCH better!
And woohooo.....first to post (i think!!)!!
:)
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 9:18 AM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5051
juliebug04 says:
Hmmm...I'm not sure how much of what they are seeing will end up in the finished product, so we'll see. :o) I hope they do well with it.
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 9:20 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8283
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
This is what we want to here. It is a good sign. I am hoping it might show earlier than expected with the 7th book coming out so close to the release. One can hope.
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 9:20 AM EST
Witch
Points: 692
FizzingWhizbeez says:
Very cool. That is encouraging to see that it's getting good reviews, but how many of those reviewers have read the book and how many are basing their review on the movie alone?
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 9:22 AM EST
Witch
Points: 922
Lilium says:
WoW!!! Cool! but I didn't get it, is there something wrong with Hagrid’s brother and Umbridge’s scenes? Anyway! I'm so exited!!! I can't wait for the film to come out! It's gonna be sooo awesom!!!
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 9:22 AM EST
Witch
Points: 557
Amelia Black says:
This only amplifies my hype for OotP to come out. July 13 will not come fast enough. I'm gonna have such trouble convincing my friends to go with me to the first showing in town.
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 9:23 AM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5051
juliebug04 says:
Well, after thouroughly reading the second one...they guy hasn't read to books. Is he related to Gambon? ;o) Anyway, after reading his review, some of what he wrote isn't really appropriate to the story because he doesn't know what comes into play in HBP, so he can't know what would be important to this story. I think, as usual, the film will be entertaining, but you have to separate them from the books.
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 9:37 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1631
Hermione's younger sister says:
I liked all of the film styles in differen't ways. The first two were a lot more innocent and nice which is good, but the last three were more cool/evil. I am glad that he runs along with the last films making it match better.
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 9:41 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
(Moderator)
Points: 1741
Since the Start says:
Wow I wasn't expecting any screenings this early (unfinished or not)... I guess this means they're definitely on-track. And it's great that the new actors are getting such great reviews.
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 9:42 AM EST
Student
Points: 271
Samixsaysxhi says:
Yes!
Lovely to hear this! I'm so proud of Helena! I knew she could do an amazing Bellatrix; I'm greatly pleased seeing as Bellatrix is my favorite character. :]
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 9:49 AM EST
Obliviator
(Moderator)
Points: 8295
Prof. Dish says:
Wow, this seems really early for reviews! I'm not going to read the review, since I like to keep my own opinions when Im watching the movies, but I am concerned about Grawp's parts. Hopefully the CGI is better when it is released, much better than the pictures we've seen.
It would seem that I'll have to start being cautious about spoilers already!
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 9:54 AM EST
Goddess of the Moon
Points: 10485
dee_dee says:
oh, no! I hated the last two movies... this really doesn't sound good to me... I really hope that I don't hate it as much as I hated the last two....
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 9:59 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2690
LoveMagic says:
OH yes...green with envy and jeaoulsy is the only way to describe me at the moment! *smiles* Umm, the first reveiew was good and reall got me more excited as if that could happen, but that second review was something else. I don't thin the author is quite as knowledgable as the rest of us. *laughs* Hurry up July!
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 10:05 AM EST
Malfoy by Nature
Points: 12487
WickeDraco says:
Oh man! The last two films were the ones I liked least, so yeah, this doesn't work out my way much now does it. Oh well.
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 10:11 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1988
brenpotterfans says:
Wish I was one of those lucky people. 2 hours and 20 minutes doesn't seem to long. I hope they didn't leave out to much.
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 10:21 AM EST
Witch
Points: 775
expectogirl says:
I didn't want to read the whole review so I just read the little bit shown hear, it sounds pretty good! Hopefully any issues will be resolved before we see it-whoohoo July13th!
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 10:29 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1498
Stoutheart says:
I'm not sure if anyone ever reads these notes before reading the review but if you do, don't bother reading the one on AICN. The person who wrote the review is quite an idiot. I understand that every person is entitled to thier opinions but this person is not qualified to write a review on a Harry Potter movie. First the guy bashes JK Rowling, which I can deal with but he goes on to say that he's only read the second book in it's entirety. Then once he gets into the review he makes a few statements that prove he's not the brightest bulb in the pack.
He was dissapointed that Voldie isn't defeated in the end! I mean hello!!!! This is the 5th movie in a 7 movie series! and they are based on books! I understand that you a director should be able to deviate from the books a bit, but killing off the main villian before the last book is even written is just stupid.
He also stated that they could have left our Grawp. Grawp is a main theme in the book. His scenes are not large or extensive, but he is important character that builds Hagrid's character up even more. You cannot remove him!
The last one put me over the edge though.... He thought that this movie could have been rolled into on of the other movies! What!!! This movie is based on a book that is almost 900 pages long. How can you roll that into another movie???
I think that review should be moved purely on principal!
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 10:36 AM EST
Squib
Points: 159
FlowerChild says:
Hmm...I'd prefer it if they said it was even better than Goblet, and by far the best film so far.... :(
but you can't expect everything!
I just hope the reviews improve as the editing/effects of the film are.
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 10:56 AM EST
Squib
Points: 159
FlowerChild says:
WHat i want to know is whether the sirius, amrauder scenes etc. actually made much of an impact.
COME ON!!! WE NEEDA MAJPR BOOK FAN TO GIVE A MAJOR REVIEW!
*sigh*
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 10:57 AM EST
Hogwarts Psychologist
Points: 4236
Patronus Wiz says:
Oh no... yup it's hard to get Hagrid's bro done correctly, but how could they screw up Umbridge? How just tell me how? Wow, it must be too over the top.
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 11:01 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1657
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
Oh wow, that's awesome! I wish I could have seen that early screening myself! Good reviews, good, good, good! However, I don't understand what they mean by "mistakes". I wonder what mistakes they are they referencing to.
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 11:04 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2594
SleepNowDreamForever says:
Yay! This is really good although I wish I could have seen a screening myself *laughs*, didn't we all?
Anyway I'm pleased Evanna got a good review as she seems alot like I imagined Luna and while I wasn't sure about the choice for Bellatrix, the good review for Helena Bonham Carter puts my mind at ease somewhat, tht she is actually right for the part. However :
Nothing was handled poorly in the film with the exception of Hagrid’s brother and possibly Umbridge’s scenes
Isn't quite as promising somehow...as Umbridges scenes are quite important in some parts of the book so I hope thay aren't that poor. It would be quite disappointing :(
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 11:16 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1725
zues says:
Can't wait to see it. Those people are so lucky to have seen an unfinished Harry Potter.
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 11:17 AM EST
Queen of the Yarn Ball
Points: 3714
red&gold says:
I want to know what they mean by 'deep cuts'
I do not mind cuts, but when you have important stuff that needs to be in there... Makes me SO mad...
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 11:17 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2515
Mystique says:
I’m so glad Evanna is getting good reviews, considering she’s had no experience yet seemed so perfect for the role of Luna… T
There may be some hope for the rest of us after all!
Posted Mar 5, 2007 at 11:25 AM EST
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