I was wrong about the 8th movie, personally anyway. I honestly thought Transformers 3 was more enjoyable and that is not saying much at all. There were a couple things I really liked scene wise, but as a whole the movie was rushed. Having come off watching all 8 movies in the theatres for the past 2 months it’s just odd how they didn’t want to make this film longer than it was. I’m convinced the Harry Potter movies are simply put, a visual fanfic. It’s fun and cool to see it all in action, but all the little things that matter in the books don’t really happen, all the things that tie everything together, all the truly emotional investments we could’ve made. All the stuff I loved about the books anyway.
I am being pessimistic but it’s like a list of could’ve, would’ve and should’ve.
If anything once the movie was finished I was just extremely happy it was all over. It’s one of those sequels to a franchise you have to see because you’re invested, and that’s exactly it. Everyone who had mild interest in the films for the past 12 years were invested and had to see it finish. A 8 movie franchise is a big thing and to have it completed is an amazing task. However as a film it didn’t feel like it lived up to the potential it could’ve had. When you said before someone said it goes out with a whimper, I don’t think that’s entirely false from my perspective. The word ‘epic’ gets thrown out a lot nowadays and I think this 8th movie really could’ve been the definition of that, but for me it never did. I’m going to go back to the books at this point and go through them again. Maybe I just have too high of expectations for films nowadays, despite my attempts of going into a movie with a blank slate. But when I leave a movie knowing full well I’ll be asked by friends and family who aren’t familiar with the books, look for a little clarity as to what the hell happened. I don’t think you’ve actually successfully adapted a story. But hey that’s just me.
Anyway this isn’t a review or an impression, it’s more an afterthought. The Prisoner of Azkaban is easily THE best Potter movie and really the only one I actually care for. Come Christmas time I’ll decide which is worth more to me to try to pick up, Lucas’ 237th release of Star Wars or the Harry Potter complete collection. I’m sure I’ll own both of them down the road, I am a movie fanatic after all.
But as it stands the rush to get either of them isn’t there. Summer movies this year are coming to a close and I think this summer I’ve seen the most I’ve ever seen. I think I’m at 18 and counting already? It could actually be more. But honestly outside of Fast Five and Kung Fu Panda 2… I don’t know. I’d trade the other 16 in for one The Dark Knight Rises. However that being said there is still Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Captain America, Conan, Cowboys vs Aliens still left on my radar before summer is out. Maybe the theatres have saved the best for last.
Did you watch the leaked Avengers trailer? Apparently it’s rumored to be after the Captain America film. Watching that trailer basically spoils how the Captain America film ends… the only question I have is Chris Evan’s 6 Marvel movie contract and how it works… I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll stop my thoughts there.
