An entry about Harry Potter, no, seriously this time!

This afternoon, I saw the film Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban , at the aforementioned multigigagoogleplex. I realize the follow statement might run the risk of alienating approximately half my readership, but: Yay for fathers. Mine is terrific.

It was pretty wild, because it was like I was seeing it for the first time. That's how bad the other theater was.

And now, some spoiler tags.


[Begin Spoiler for The Prisoner of Azkaban. — Highlight to view]

I adore the scene where the boys are eating the joke candy in the dorm. I almost cried, seriously. It's my favorite scene of the film, possibley. This just reinforces something I've known about myself for a long time: I'm am completely queer for movies about young boys bonding at prep schools. You might think this would be a very select thing to be ridiculous over, but really, more movies fit this description than you think. Anyway. Young boys bonding at school. I love it. I also love the scene where Ron wakes up from a nightmare, and Harry talks to him before he goes back to sleep. So cute. Great acting by both boys.

One of the things that I had really wanted to see on screen, and I'm serious about this one, was the picture of the Weaselys in Egypt. It was great; exactly the way I thought it should look. And because they had that, I wasn't bothered by anything else that was omitted or fiddled with. It's the little things.

I really don't care that the names on the map were not explained. Because really, if you're paying attention, they're already explained. I figured it out in the book long before it was explained, just as I knew that Lupin was a werewolf. You know, I think, if you name your child "Remus Lupin" that you're sort of *asking* for something abnormal to happen there. "Boy, I hope nothing wolf-related happens to my son! That was not my intention in giving him this name!" Anyway, the only thing that I couldn't figure out immediately was Prongs, and I think that's cleared up in the movie by relating the figure of the stag to his father. So, everything was good with that for me. I do, however, think the explanation of *why* they all became animagi was sorely needed. Because without it, it opens up major plot holes. Even if you've seen the other movies, and know that you have to register (sort of like a handgun, isn't it?) and you carry this knowledge over into this movie, a lot of assumptions, then you'd simply have to ask, well, if everyone's looking for Sirius, why aren't they checking all the black cgi dogs in the neighborhood? Plus, I dunno, it just felt like something was missing, and I even knew all the explanations and stuff.

In other news, Draco's hot. That's wrong to say, isn't it? Anyway, he also backs up all my theories because he's evil and blonde. That's my type! But as I've said elsewhere, I don't know why people expect him to be such a menace to Harry. I mean, he's a thirteen-year-old fucking kid! Harry's had to defeat, not once but twice, the evil and powerful psycho that murdered his family! And you want him to be scared of Draco? Draco is menacing in the way that he's meant to be menacing: in the way that states that old, evil money pulls a lot of sway. They're pretty much subjected to his whim, really. He can cause as much trouble as he wants, and his father's wallet is going to back him up on it. But he's not going to, say, come after Harry in the night and murder him in his sleep. And to finally talk about the fifth book for Stephanie, I think despite what most people thought (that Draco's threat was lessening) I thought it was strengthening. The older Draco gets, the higher up his influence can go. Eventually, he's going to be controlling some things you'd probably rather not have a nasty, spoiled, vindictive person like that running. This combined with the fact that Harry keeps coming out on top regardless of how Draco tries to fuck with him, is going to brew some deep resentment and jealousy in his little blond head. And when his retribution comes, he's going to make it as bad for Harry as he can. However, for the time being, he's a idiot teenager. Harry's busy saving his own neck. So shut it about Draco.

I need to directly quote the divine Katy and say: "My one gripe was the giving of the line 'If you want to kill Harry, you'll have to kill us too!' to Hermione rather than Ron. Maybe they were making up for Hermione's relative abscence from the last film, but Ron seems to be becoming more of the comedy side-kick to Harry and Hermione, which is not in keeping with the books. Yes, Ron isn't as sharp as those two, but he's courageous and loyal and a true friend to Harry. When he says that line in the book, he's prepared to crawl across the floor with a broken leg to protect the life of his best friend. It's a great moment, and its a shame they gave it to Hermione as she already had plenty of great moments in the film already." Totally. I hadn't even thought about it before, but, yes. If Fred and George weren't my favorite characters, then Ron would definitely be. ... I also have a thing for redheads. As well as blond boys. Blah. If by the end of the series Ron doesn't wind up saving the day and getting the girl, I'm going to be very disappointed. And by girl I do mean Hermione. Theirloveissoobvious! Hermione is not meant for Harry. In their group, Ron is actually the new James. Hermione is the new Lily, and Harry is the new Sirius. I know I'm just throwing that out there, but think about it.

Sirius: money, popularity, and the more you know him, a bit of a dick. Still likeable, but seriously, kind of a dick. Compare, Harry.

I still love David Thewlis. With all my heart. I think some of his mannerisms were off as the character, but I think the personality was perfect. I really liked his exiting scene, where he said "...Let's just say, I'm used to it." Perfect mix of humor, resign, bitterness, and tiredness. I love David Thewlis

I don't think Gary Oldman's really too attractive, but in the book, I dimly recall of description of Sirius that says you could see in his face that he was once a handsome man. And there was a closeup of Oldman in the film, possibley the last one, where this completely struck me, because it saw it very clearly. It was actually a perfect way of describing him. So, yay Gary Oldman!

For a closing remark, I'll say: dark, schmark. I like the books because they're all depressing and ominous and stuff. This film touched on that, but I still don't think it's as dark as it should be, given the matierial. They suck your soul out through your face!

[End Spoiler]