
Last Saturday, I again played the role of cool uncle to my two nephews. We went to a mall and went to see not only one but two movies. Ever since I took the kids to watch At World's End at the Platinum Cinema (with its famous lazy boy seats), the standard for great movie experience for my two brats increased immensely. They now always expect la dolce vita whenever we go out for a movie. We have never seen two movies in a row. And as they say, there is always the first time for everything.
First up is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I read the book in January or February of this year. I am not gaga over the series but still read the book just to keep up with the story. Harry Potter, after all, is a very likeable character. I did not like the book though. The dialogue and literary device employed by J.K. Rowling were very juvenile. Lamentable, considering that Harry Potter is at the stage nearing adulthood. Harry's readers are growing with him. I cannot say the same with regard to his literary creator. Nevertheless, I took note of the fact that there are a lot of action sequences in the film. I told myself that it would make a great movie. It is one of my most anticipated films of the year, along with the third part of Pirates of the Caribbean and The Simpsons.
I was greatly impressed with the film. I say, sincerely, that it is the best installment of this series so far. Kudos to David Yates. I hope he gets to direct the two remaining Harry Potter movies.
The best thing about the film is the performances given by nearly everyone in the cast. I give special mention, though, to Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge), Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) and Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldremort). I have not seen such consistently exceptional performance by a cast in a science fiction movie since The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Not only did Radcliffe provide a physical embodiment for the beloved Harry Potter, he provided the character with heart and soul. It was a very mature performance on his part. It is great to know that Radcliffe takes his character and his craft seriously. I also particularly like Evanna Lynch, who played the minor role of Luna "Loony" Lovegood. She was very ghostlike in her appearance, movement and dialogue. It was very effective. I never expected that from such a new and young actress.
Everyone is raving about Staunton's turn as the new mentor of Defense Against the Dark Arts and as Voldemort's new trooper. Such accolade for this accomplished actor is well deserved. While Umbridge in the book is more comical, Staunton provided the character with the evil that was enough to frighten her students, provide villainy for the noble wizards and yet not make the movie viewing a traumatic experience for the young audience (as whatever the censors classify the film, parents still brought their kids to the cinema).
And I never felt affection for an old man since Ian McKellen played Gandalf until Michael Gambon's Albus Dumbloedore appeared before the wizard's tribunal to defend Harry agains the dubious charge against him. It almost made me cry seeing his tired old body gathering all the physical strength it still has in order to ensure that the right thing is done. I also liked his fight scene against Voldemort. It was one of the best fight scenes I have seen on the cinema this year.
From Hogwarts, the kids and I had a brief tour of the mall, went to Timezone and Toys 'R Us, and then went to Springfield. The movie is very entertaining. We had a bunch of great laughs in the theater --- even from the beginning as the Simpsons theme song played and the singer from Green Day read from the teleprompter the lyrics of the song, which was nothing but "Da Da Da Da Da Da Da". It was hilarious.
Run, run. Jump, jump. Rest, rest. I was laughing off my seat.
While the movie is very much worth for the momentary laughs that it provides the viewers, I must register my disappointment with the script/story as a whole. It took the producers and creators four to eighteen years (it depends when you begin to count) to put this amiable yellow family to the big screen and this is the best story they could come up with. And where was Mr. Burns? It was his turn to implement his evil ploys in such gigantic (screen) proportions and he was relegated to the background. And all old Mr. Burns can do is unleash a few hounds.
Maggie said "sequel" at the end of the film. What a way for first words for this eternal infant.
And I'll be there again when the sequel comes out. And Mr. Burns better be there too. How about him laying his evil plans before he gets his eternal rest? It will make such a great bed scene.
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