Tom Koegel
Stunt Coordinator
- Joined
- Jun 30, 1997
- Messages
- 95
Count me with Ebert in finding this episode a half-notch below the other two. Cuarón, technically and stylistically, made a better film than Columbus did in the first two. (Certainly than in Sorcerer's Stone, anyways.) I understood and appreciated the muted color palate (washed out), the grainy look, etc. And he handles the greater range of emotional content much more successfully than did Columbus in the first two.
Cuarón, of course, has much more to work with this time. The story itself has greater emotional range. And the child actors, with the possible exception of Radcliffe as Harry, were much better this time. Watson/Hermione has more to do here, and demonstrates far more range than before--while keeping her knack for comic timing. Ron/Rupert Grint seems to have dialed it back a notch (well, maybe a half notch) from an over-the-top performance in Chamber of Secrets. The character of Harry, of course, doesn't get to exhibit much range--but Radcliffe doesn't seem to show much talent for emotional range, anyways. I found his efforts to weep after he learns that Sirius is his godfather to be unaffecting. Watson's response, as Hermione, though--was touching and well-acted.
What I found missing in "Episode III" was much of a sense of . . . well . . . fun. Yes, the book is darker than the first two. But there are many moments of joy in the book that seem to have eluded portrayal here. (Griffindor, I gather, does not win the Quidditch cup.) And the scenes that have made it into the final version always seem too abrupt, too rushed. Think of any scene--well, whoops, we're talking about two--with Emma Thompson as Professor Trelawney. They aren't set up well enough to demonstrate the loopy fraud that she is--or to set up the punchline when she has a genuine revelation.
On the level of script, Kloves labored well--if not wholly successfully--to tighten things up. Having Lupin learn of Pettigrew's existence from the Marauder's Map makes sense, hastens the plot, and makes the Shrieking Shack scene slightly less talky. But what the heck was that ridiculous scene in the tavern with the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, Julie Christie (nearly unidentifiable through the haze of Harry's invisibility cloak) as Madam Rosmerta, and Maggie Smith as McGonagall? "Ah, gee, guys, we've got to find a way to let Harry know about Sirius being his godfather, so let's get a couple of character's together randomly?" Yes, there is a similar scene in the bar in the book--but at least it is written that the characters might conceivably have appeared there together.
There are exceptions to this--the boggart in the wardrobe scene was well set up and well done. Virtually anything with Rickman as Snape works well. And I thought the relationship scenes with Lupin and Harry were well played and filmed.
I came away appreciating that this was a "better film" . . . but thinking it wasn't as much fun.
Tom
Cuarón, of course, has much more to work with this time. The story itself has greater emotional range. And the child actors, with the possible exception of Radcliffe as Harry, were much better this time. Watson/Hermione has more to do here, and demonstrates far more range than before--while keeping her knack for comic timing. Ron/Rupert Grint seems to have dialed it back a notch (well, maybe a half notch) from an over-the-top performance in Chamber of Secrets. The character of Harry, of course, doesn't get to exhibit much range--but Radcliffe doesn't seem to show much talent for emotional range, anyways. I found his efforts to weep after he learns that Sirius is his godfather to be unaffecting. Watson's response, as Hermione, though--was touching and well-acted.
What I found missing in "Episode III" was much of a sense of . . . well . . . fun. Yes, the book is darker than the first two. But there are many moments of joy in the book that seem to have eluded portrayal here. (Griffindor, I gather, does not win the Quidditch cup.) And the scenes that have made it into the final version always seem too abrupt, too rushed. Think of any scene--well, whoops, we're talking about two--with Emma Thompson as Professor Trelawney. They aren't set up well enough to demonstrate the loopy fraud that she is--or to set up the punchline when she has a genuine revelation.
On the level of script, Kloves labored well--if not wholly successfully--to tighten things up. Having Lupin learn of Pettigrew's existence from the Marauder's Map makes sense, hastens the plot, and makes the Shrieking Shack scene slightly less talky. But what the heck was that ridiculous scene in the tavern with the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, Julie Christie (nearly unidentifiable through the haze of Harry's invisibility cloak) as Madam Rosmerta, and Maggie Smith as McGonagall? "Ah, gee, guys, we've got to find a way to let Harry know about Sirius being his godfather, so let's get a couple of character's together randomly?" Yes, there is a similar scene in the bar in the book--but at least it is written that the characters might conceivably have appeared there together.
There are exceptions to this--the boggart in the wardrobe scene was well set up and well done. Virtually anything with Rickman as Snape works well. And I thought the relationship scenes with Lupin and Harry were well played and filmed.
I came away appreciating that this was a "better film" . . . but thinking it wasn't as much fun.
Tom