I guess we will never be completely happy with a Harry Potter movie. The books are so well contructed and entertaining that 2.5 hrs is simply not enough time to fit it all in. Overall, I guess they do a decent job bring Harry alive but i feel that in this movie they hardly ever explain anything. I went with a friend who doesnt read the books and he never knew what was going on some of the time. I guess it would take too much time to xplain things in the movie when there is so much action.
So I understand the need to leave some parts of the story out for time purposes, but why do the directors include scenes but change them!?! This is so frustrating. For example, in the DD and Vold fight scene why isnt DD allowed to summon the statues to fight for him? Why does Cho have to take the blame for giving the DA's whereabouts? Why cant Fred and George create a swamp? Why cant the thestreals be shown in a care og magical creatures class and not some random encounter with Loony. Why coudln't Sirius be flung back into the arch instead of floating back into it? Why did we have to see so much montages of the DA practicing and not more action in the end? Why was the occulmency lessons given their due? Why didnt Snape pull out his memories before the lessons? I know they cant show everything, but please if you are going to dedicate time to a scene at least portray it properly. I mean if a teacher can simply bust their way into the RoR then that might effect its role in future movies.
Also, why is Warner Bros. so opposed to doing the movies in two parts? Will this cut into sales? I mean part I can be shown in April/May and Part 2 in August/Sept. If they make Deathly Hallows into a 2.5 hr movie many fans will be sorely disappointed.
I agree, the movie being altered in such a way really ruined the experience for me as instead of sitting there and enjoying the movie I spent most of the time sitting up going, hang on, where was that bit? Why hasn't this happened? So on and so forth. Out of all the movies so far this one I feel is the least loyal to the book. _________________