GoF-- more deeply

It's interesting. In some ways, I feel like I've come full circle. You see, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was my first real "fan" type experience. I read the first three books in late May of 2000. So Goblet was the first HP book I waited for. I attended my first midnight party (I stupidly didn't pre-order, and didn't show up until 11:00, so I had to wait until 1:00AM to get the book) on July 8, 2000. I stayed up late and read (not all night, because I had to work the next day). I managed the refreshments at my bookstore's HP launch party, then came home and read. I lay on my living room couch, trembling, as I read about Cedric's death, Voldemort's return, and Fake!Moody's true identity.

When I actually entered the fandom about a year later, Goblet was the most recent canon. I dissected that book for 3 years, trying to guess what would happen next, debating ships, and rereading it in anticipation of Order of the Phoenix. It's always been special, even though it wasn't my favorite.

So, it's gratifying to see it made into such a good movie. Finally see these things on screen. I think the discussion between me, katinka31, lilac_bearry, kelleypen, and her family is representative. We spent the entire time talking about things we liked. Contrast that to the after-PoA discussion at wahleecon: we did almost nothing but nitpick.

I can't find very many things to nitpick about this movie. So I'm going to gush instead.

( spoilery review under the cut! )

I could say more, but I loved so many things, it's hard to pick out what to talk about. Suffice it to say that here is a wonderful example of the way to adapt a long novel for a feature-length film. And proof that I can enjoy movies that leave lots out, change the plot in significant ways, etc. They just have to do it right. :)

GoF-- more deeply

It's interesting. In some ways, I feel like I've come full circle. You see, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was my first real "fan" type experience. I read the first three books in late May of 2000. So Goblet was the first HP book I waited for. I attended my first midnight party (I stupidly didn't pre-order, and didn't show up until 11:00, so I had to wait until 1:00AM to get the book) on July 8, 2000. I stayed up late and read (not all night, because I had to work the next day). I managed the refreshments at my bookstore's HP launch party, then came home and read. I lay on my living room couch, trembling, as I read about Cedric's death, Voldemort's return, and Fake!Moody's true identity.

When I actually entered the fandom about a year later, Goblet was the most recent canon. I dissected that book for 3 years, trying to guess what would happen next, debating ships, and rereading it in anticipation of Order of the Phoenix. It's always been special, even though it wasn't my favorite.

So, it's gratifying to see it made into such a good movie. Finally see these things on screen. I think the discussion between me, katinka31, lilac_bearry, kelleypen, and her family is representative. We spent the entire time talking about things we liked. Contrast that to the after-PoA discussion at wahleecon: we did almost nothing but nitpick.

I can't find very many things to nitpick about this movie. So I'm going to gush instead.

( spoilery review under the cut! )

I could say more, but I loved so many things, it's hard to pick out what to talk about. Suffice it to say that here is a wonderful example of the way to adapt a long novel for a feature-length film. And proof that I can enjoy movies that leave lots out, change the plot in significant ways, etc. They just have to do it right. :)

GoF-- more deeply

It's interesting. In some ways, I feel like I've come full circle. You see, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was my first real "fan" type experience. I read the first three books in late May of 2000. So Goblet was the first HP book I waited for. I attended my first midnight party (I stupidly didn't pre-order, and didn't show up until 11:00, so I had to wait until 1:00AM to get the book) on July 8, 2000. I stayed up late and read (not all night, because I had to work the next day). I managed the refreshments at my bookstore's HP launch party, then came home and read. I lay on my living room couch, trembling, as I read about Cedric's death, Voldemort's return, and Fake!Moody's true identity.

When I actually entered the fandom about a year later, Goblet was the most recent canon. I dissected that book for 3 years, trying to guess what would happen next, debating ships, and rereading it in anticipation of Order of the Phoenix. It's always been special, even though it wasn't my favorite.

So, it's gratifying to see it made into such a good movie. Finally see these things on screen. I think the discussion between me, katinka31, lilac_bearry, kelleypen, and her family is representative. We spent the entire time talking about things we liked. Contrast that to the after-PoA discussion at wahleecon: we did almost nothing but nitpick.

I can't find very many things to nitpick about this movie. So I'm going to gush instead.

( spoilery review under the cut! )

I could say more, but I loved so many things, it's hard to pick out what to talk about. Suffice it to say that here is a wonderful example of the way to adapt a long novel for a feature-length film. And proof that I can enjoy movies that leave lots out, change the plot in significant ways, etc. They just have to do it right. :)