Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince--SPOILERS!!!

[Jen]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I felt Harris was PERFECT. Gambon is horrible. That scene you quoted a few posts above shows just why. Why is his Dumbledore so angry? In Goblet of Fire after Harry's name comes out of the Goblet, he is yelling at Harry there too.

Harris would have played both of those scenes calmly and smoothly. I always felt his Dumbledore was always in control and one step ahead of everyone - just like in the books.

Gambon does look an aweful lot like McKellen as Gandalf when he isn't wearing his glasses. I thought your new sig was a sneak pic from the Hobbit at first!

So did I.
I haven't read the books in awhile, but I thought D. was angry when Harry's name was pulled out of the Goblet of Fire - to me it didn't seem off at all - just showed him in a state of panic and fear for Harry because he knew that there must be some evil doings going on. But I guess that was just me.....

 

[KAOSINLA]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I felt Harris was PERFECT. Gambon is horrible. That scene you quoted a few posts above shows just why. Why is his Dumbledore so angry? In Goblet of Fire after Harry's name comes out of the Goblet, he is yelling at Harry there too.

Harris would have played both of those scenes calmly and smoothly. I always felt his Dumbledore was always in control and one step ahead of everyone - just like in the books.

I agree completely!!!

Gambon shows no wisdom nor leadership in his character as Headmaster. He rushes through his lines with hardly a smooth transition. In addition, his actions follow his words....He moves in scenes with the energetic nervousness of a Chihuahua. On the other hand, Harris spoke as though each word was calculated with meaning in every breath. His motions were a mirror image of his speaking, as though a reserve of power was at his disposal when needed. I seen him as the noble and superior adversary to Voldemort as the books described. Gambon doesn't seem to be a worthy adversary for a first year. Furthermore, I believe that Gambon's casting makes the omissions from the books that much more noticeable, since Harris could tell and develop the story without the audience actually seeing it.

Regarding the aforementioned seen, Gambon angrily grabs harry and pushes him back against the table. Is that a trait of wise wizard? It makes me laugh to think of Gandalf saying "Is it secret? Is it safe? and then proceeding to throw Frodo off a wall in Bag End in an uncontrolled panic.

 

[Agent0028]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

So did I.
I haven't read the books in awhile, but I thought D. was angry when Harry's name was pulled out of the Goblet of Fire - to me it didn't seem off at all - just showed him in a state of panic and fear for Harry because he knew that there must be some evil doings going on. But I guess that was just me.....

That was my take on it as well. Although I think Dumbledore had a right to be angry as well, if Harry broke rules like that he would deserve a butt chewing. For Dumbledore to be too calm would be like giving him a pass.

 

[Buttmunch]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

That was my take on it as well. Although I think Dumbledore had a right to be angry as well, if Harry broke rules like that he would deserve a butt chewing. For Dumbledore to be too calm would be like giving him a pass.

But the way Harris would have played it would have been more effective. Anthony Hopkins was creepy as Hannibal not because he was shouting, but because he was always calm and in control. I'm not saying Dumbledore should be creepy, but a calm and cool voice can be even worse than being yeld out. That just seem to show Dumbledore's disapointment in Harry better than yelling at him (I think the books even address this).

 

[Agent0028]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Could be, it's been awhile since I read them. I still like the new guy though. I can't see the first one doing the stuff in this book. Plus the other guy was way to Merlin looking for my tastes.

 

[YoNoSe]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I think Harris captured the "all knowing" vibe Dumbledore had when observed by a very young Harry. I was a little put off by his apparent frailty, but I would never have complained about him if he'd been fortunate enough to complete the series.
On the other hand, I really loved the shot of adrenaline and creativity the series got with Cuaron directing and I am a big fan of Gambon's Dumbledore.
Regarding GOF, I didn't mind the hysteria at Harry's name being in the goblet - I didn't think it was anger at Harry. I took it as D's horror at the implication of Harry being placed in the tournament - both for his safety, and what forces were engineering the situation.

 

[KAOSINLA]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

(I think the books even address this).

The book does. I don't interpret any anger here, only a calm deciphering and contemplation of the situation.

"It's no ones's fault buy Potter's, Karkaroff," said Sanpe softly. His black eyes were alight with malice. "Don't go blaming Dumbledore for Potter's determination to break rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here--"

"Thank you, Severus," said Dumbledore firmly, and Snape went quiet, though his eyes still glinted malevolently through his curtain of greasy black hair.

Professor Dumbledore was now looking down at Harry, who looked right back at him, trying to discern the expression of the eyes behind the half-moon spectacles.

"Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?" he asked calmly.

"No," said Harry. He was aware of everybody watching him closely. Snape made a soft noise of impatient disbelief in the shadows.

"Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?" said Professor Dumbledore, ignoring Snape.

"No" said Harry vehemently.

"Ah, but of course 'e is lying!" cried Madame Maxime. Snape was now shaking his head, his lip curling.

"He could not have crossed the Age Line," said Professor McGonagall sharply. "I am sure we are all agreed on that--"

"Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line," said Madame Maxime, shrugging.

"It is possible, of course," said Dumbledore politely.

 

[pixletwin]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I thought the movie version of that scene played out pretty close to the book.

 

[Agent0028]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Okay, I was wrong, Dumbledore was calmer in the book. I think the movie scene played out okay though. For instance I really liked how Dumbledore grabbed Harry in the movie, to me it showed he was very concerned about the turn of events. Also in defense of the actor (and in light of him saying he doesn't read the books) could the way he is portraying Dumbledore be a result of the script writing and acting? I've never acted so I have no experience, but it would seem to me that the script writer would tell the actor whether he is angry and how to act and that the director would refine the broad directions in to more specific ones.

 

[KAOSINLA]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I thought the movie version of that scene played out pretty close to the book.

Except for the psychotic charge, grabbing, pushing back, shaking, and yelling by Dumbledore.

I may seem a little obsessed by this, but of all my grumblings w/ Gambon, this one scene was my biggest pet peeve so to say.

 

[pixletwin]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Fair enough I still cringe at the scene in LOTR where Gandalf opens a can of woop ass on Denethor. So I feel your pain.

 

[KAOSINLA]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Also in defense of the actor (and in light of him saying he doesn't read the books) could the way he is portraying Dumbledore be a result of the script writing and acting? I've never acted so I have no experience, but it would seem to me that the script writer would tell the actor whether he is angry and how to act and that the director would refine the broad directions in to more specific ones.

You are correct and the Director would be the responsible party. In the filming of the LOTR, each actor/actress by their on accord carried a copy of the books w/ them at all times to better understand and master their character showing a true appreciation and love of the literary works. In fact, copies were everywhere during filming. In HP, it seems that this type of dedication is vacant and is tragically disappointing leading to many avoidable deviations.

 

[Agent0028]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I guess that doesn't bother me too much since I read the book, I don't really need to see it exactly as it played out in the book. My imagination is better than anything Hollywood can do, so I don't really mind the slight departures. On the other hand my memory is horrible so I can't remember what is accurate to the book and what isn't.

 

[KAOSINLA]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Fair enough I still cringe at the scene in LOTR where Gandalf opens a can of woop ass on Denethor. So I feel your pain.

I got ya!!! Sometimes there's just that sticking point that makes you want to throw the book at the Directors and Actors/Actresses head.

 

[tomandshell]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

If Gambon has made it a point not to read the books, then he is just going by the script and taking his performance where he feels it should go. If his choices don't mesh with the character created by Rowling, then it's the job of the director to DIRECT him in a different... direction.

Even though I failed to see how Four Weddings and a Funeral had prepared Mike Newell to direct a Potter film, Goblet of Fire is still one of my two favorites of the series, and far better than Order of the Phoenix.

Considering that was pretty much David Yates' first feature length theatrical directing job, I didn't expect much from him in film five. I think that at this point the producers just want a marginally talented yes-man behind the camera who isn't going to impose too much of his own vision on things, and Yates gets the job done without trying to take things in a unique direction like Cuaron did with Azkaban. It's a shame that they couldn't hire someone with Peter Jackson's combination of respect for/dedication to the source material, combined with real vision and the ability to put a unique and personal stamp on the finished product while steering the actors in a perfect direction.

 

[YoNoSe]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I embrace the changes. We're talking about radically different mediums. But I do get what you're saying, KAOSINLA. Personally, I thought Samwise was much less agitated in the book....just thinking aloud..."Mmm...more naked hoes...." PJ went a little Scorcese on that one...
I find the first Potter movie just passable and the second tedious because of the slavishness to the text (and CC's bland direction). But I have been called a blasphemer for saying that on these very boards. Oh well.
We've been joking that they were going to make Dumbledore flamboyantly gay from here onout in the movies. When Harry says in the Trailer "Did you know...then?" my fiancee goes (in Dumbledore voice) "That I was gay? Oh yeah, totally!"

 

[KAOSINLA]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

If Gambon has made it a point not to read the books, then he is just going by the script and taking his performance where he feels it should go. If his choices don't mesh with the character created by Rowling, then it's the job of the director to DIRECT him in a different... direction.

Even though I failed to see how Four Weddings and a Funeral had prepared Mike Newell to direct a Potter film, Goblet of Fire is still one of my two favorites of the series, and far better than Order of the Phoenix.

Considering that was pretty much David Yates' first feature length theatrical directing job, I didn't expect much from him in film five. I think that at this point the producers just want a marginally talented yes-man behind the camera who isn't going to impose too much of his own vision on things, and Yates gets the job done without trying to take things in a unique direction like Cuaron did with Azkaban. It's a shame that they couldn't hire someone with Peter Jackson's combination of respect for/dedication to the source material, combined with real vision and the ability to put a unique and personal stamp on the finished product while steering the actors in a perfect direction.

Well said!!! Adapting a book is never an easy task, but it seems that the cliffs notes were the primary reference material and that the box office receipts were and are the principal objective.

 

[Darklord Dave]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I actually liked Yates' directing on Phoenix, there were some artistic flourishes that bely him just being a technician and mouthpiece of the producers. Nothing like the imprimatur that Cuaron put on 3, but still some style.

However Gambon does appear to be just walking through the role with no thought or even any attempt at creating a character. The reading in Goblet of him being angry and worried seemed right, but almost every other line reading has been off. The air of superiority and condescension needed at the end of Phoenix just didn't play for me.

This film requires far more from Dumbledore than any film before - it's essentially about him and Voldie, rather than Harry. Hopefully Yates has decided he really needs to direct Gambon instead of letting him just speak the lines.

 

[KAOSINLA]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I actually liked Yates' directing on Phoenix, there were some artistic flourishes that bely him just being a technician and mouthpiece of the producers. Nothing like the imprimatur that Cuaron put on 3, but still some style.

However Gambon does appear to be just walking through the role with no thought or even any attempt at creating a character. The reading in Goblet of him being angry and worried seemed right, but almost every other line reading has been off. The air of superiority and condescension needed at the end of Phoenix just didn't play for me.

This film requires far more from Dumbledore than any film before - it's essentially about him and Voldie, rather than Harry. Hopefully Yates has decided he really needs to direct Gambon instead of letting him just speak the lines.

The totality of what you said represents the tepid worrying I have for HBP. Will I be enjoying the fact that Gambon has been directed well enough to embrace the literary Dumbledore through true interpretation of the character or will I be anxiously awaiting the killing curse to erase the abomination of what Dumbledore has become?

 

[IronFingaz]

Re: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I don't really have a problem with Gambon. I think he's done a good job so far but i would still have prefered Harris since he's my favorite. But it would have interesting to see how Dumbledoor would be if they picked Peter O'Toole. I heard he was the first option after Harris died but they were nervous about his age.


The Tales of Beedle the Bard
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=01FKA7ZD2EETV74VVD7N