Y'know, every time I go see a Potter movie in the theatre, I walk out claiming I won't shell out the money for the next one.  And every time, I rewatch the film later and eventually decide I like it enough to risk another trip to the multiplex.

 

This time?  Made the pledge again.  Likely to break it again.

 

What a ride.  First, like any other adaptation, the most noticeable things are the bits that aren't there anymore.  I miss the summer at Twelve Grimmauld Place and Sirius' mother.  I miss the visit to St. Mungo's because meeting Neville's parents solidified his character for me in the books.  I miss Marietta and the trips to Hogsmeade.  I miss the swamp.

 

But wow, the changes and trims didn't suck as bad as they could have, and by the writing of this book, they were written for an effects budget.  The fight scene at the Ministry of Magic at first disappoints and then comes through well with the arrival of the Order and even more amazingly with Dumbledore.  The visual of the prophecies falling (take your metaphors where you can) works beautifully with the repeated visual themes of shattering: the decrees, the glass in the hall that Voldemort splinters and casts at Harry and Dumbledore.  Really, the film is a feast for the eyes, with little details (like the many cats on Umbridge's plate collection) and big moments (like Grawp).

 

About Umbridge …  The character of Delores Umbridge is sadly underappreciated as one of the scariest villains ever created in popular culture.  Sure, Voldemort has that whole Evil Overlord thing going (and was used sparingly and well as such in this installment), but for bone-chilling terror, there's no megalomaniac who can hold a candle to well-meaning authority gone awry.  Umbridge believes she is operating in the best interests of the Ministry, and possibly even of the students, though it's arguable her self-delusion doesn't extend that far.  She believes that the stories Harry and his friends are spreading will cause dangerous dissention in the wizarding world, and serve as a prelude to Dumbledore's grasping for power.  So, wearing a smile and a pink sweater, and drinking her tea, and surrounded by kittens, she systematically tortures her students until they agree to do the thing they etch into their own flesh they must not do.

  Actress Imelda Staunton plays the role as though it were written for her, without dining on a single set piece, and her performance is all the creepier for her restraint. When Fred and George are the only people left to comfort a sobbing child, the system has broken down, and Umbridge is the one who took the sledgehammer to the gears.  And the students have no one to appeal to, no one who can rescue them, no one to protect them; Harry realizes this though Hermione, true to form, still wants to believe that, if they just tell the right adult, things will get better.  When she finally understands the truth, Dumbledore's Army comes to life.

 

I'm not normally a fan of training montages, but frankly, this was the best way to cut through a lot of sessions and still intersperse the quiet horror of Umbridge's reign at Hogwarts (complete with throne).  Sadly, it meant we lost time that also covered Quidditch practices and games, and lost us "Weasley Is Our King."  We also lost characterization on Cho, which is sad, as her plot thread -- revamped to streamline the film -- is dropped by the end without resolution with the other characters.  Sure, her kiss with Harry was lovely and sweet, but he spent far more screen time with Hermione, and I couldn't help but think that a certain harmonious part of the Potter fandom is going to be far too pleased with themselves over the next ten days.

 

Not too much to say about the new characters.  Tonks is introduced early and mostly dropped, just like in the book.  Luna is given extra prominence (and extra exposition) but Evanna Lynch delivers all her lines with even more ethereal dippiness than advertised, so it flows well.  Kingsley Shacklebolt is a background piece rather than a character, which means that we never get to see Harry admire him and Tonks enough to think about becoming an Auror.  Again, the restraints of filming a novel. We sigh.  We move on.

 

Overall, this is a gorgeous film.  The sets become more lavish with every installment, and this one is worth the ticket price to see the broomstick flight through London and the thestrals, and certainly the fall of prophecies.  Daniel Radcliffe is an unexpected delight, having grown up as this character and wearing him again like a second skin.  Gary Oldman sells Harry's second vision in the Ministry better than I could have imagined.  The rest?  Just as they needed to be.  Go for the visuals, stay for the acting, read the book for the bits that got cut.

 

And I'll likely see you there when "Half-Blood Prince" comes out next year.