Since the movie, 100% complete with all the scenes from beginning to end locked in place, and more than 85% CG and visual effects editing complete, was surprised-screened to a test audience in Chicago, here's what I gather (and learned) so far:
The movie is looking better than the book, and I should say first that the book is wonderful but you all know there are things in books that don't work cinematically. For example, the character of Mundungus Fletcher. Hilarious in the book, but he would have been awkward on screen. As per the last four films, extraneous characters were removed because adding them would open holes in the films' continuity and audiences who aren't familiar with the books would be lost.
The film captures all the major events and ideas in the book and enhances them in a way that not only entertains but amazes. Unlike Alfonso Cuaron, who totally battered to hell 'Prisoner of Azkaban', David Yates chose to stick to canon and instead of making alterations, he only made cuts. Purists may not be happy with the loss of minor characters, like Mundungus Fletcher, Dobby, and Marietta Edgecombe, but rest assured you'll still love 'Order of the Phoenix' all the same.
Here is what I learned was changed:
1. No Dobby. It is unclear why his character was cut, but I think Yates and the crew wanted more of a 'Kreacher feature' to develop that character. Dobby, who in the book introduced Harry to the Room of Requirement, has lost that ceremonious task to Neville Longbottom.
2. No Marietta Edgecombe and the word SNEAK on the forehead. Instead, Cho Chang sells out Dumbledore's Army, but forced to do so under the influence of Veritaserum by Professor Umbridge. Harry does not look at or speak to her again after learning this fact.
3. No sign of Firenze. Only Trelawney's Divination class is present.
4. Development on Fred and George's joke business is limited only to the items they showcase within the castle walls.
5. Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood were given Patronuses, and expected that it is with permission of JK Rowling. Ginny's is a phoenix, and Luna's is a hare.
6. No house elf liberation, no S.P.E.W. Aw nuts.
7. Bellatrix's line about having to mean the curse you deliver was transferred to Voldemort.
8. Petunia does not receive a Howler from Dumbledore.
9. Only Bellatrix and Lucius have speaking lines, of the Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries.
10. The fight between Harry and Seamus is reduced to a short quarrel which is resolved when Ron steps in to calm them down.
11. No Quibbler and Luna's dad backstory.
And here are the top ten scenes I most anticipate after reading the screening report:
1. Dumbledore vs. Voldemort. The Dark Lord smashes a pane of glass and sends the shards flying at Dumbledore, who quickly deflects them with a flick of the wand.
2. The First D.A. Meeting. Harry at the lead: "The Stunning Spell is one of the most important spells in your arsenal. It's sort of a wizard's bread-and-butter, really." Neville: "I'm hopeless." Harry: "No, you're not hopeless, you're just flourishing your wand too much. Here, try it like this."
3. The Order vs. the Death Eaters. After Sirius and Lucius play a game of "Can you top this?", Sirius enters a grueling deathmatch with Bellatrix, a lot of spinning moves invovled.
4. Dumbledore's Great Escape. The headmaster cleverly escapes the clutches of Fudge, Dawlish and Williamson: "I wonder how you'll catch me." He grabs Fawkes and vanishes into thin air. Upon which, Phineas replies, and to the laugh of the audience: "I disagree with Dumbledore on many counts, but you cannot deny, he's got style."
5. I Must Not Tell Lies. It is an agonizing scene to watch, as Umbridge soaks in every moment of Harry's torture.
6. The Trial. True to the book, the trial unfolds the same, after Harry drives away the Dementors and is summoned by letter of Mafalda Hopkirk (a voiceover by Shaun of the Dead's Jessica Stevenson.) Dumbledore, however, has an added speech as you saw in the trailer about the Dark Lord's return.
7. The Kiss. Harry and Cho stay behind during a D.A. meeting and Cho tells Harry how hard it is has been losing Cedric. They kiss, but their flame is a short-lived flicker, and Harry finds himself laughingly describing the encounter to Ron and Hermione.
8. Umbridge and the Forest. Just before the last half-hour climax, she and the kids enter the forest. Umbridge attempts to command the dementors: "I - will - have - ORDER!" And true to the book, she is dragged away by Magorian's crew.
9. Ron's Earned Pinning. Ron offends Hermione with a rather sexist comment: "Don't worry. I'll, go easy on you." Hermione: "Thank you, Ronald." Seconds later, she gets the better of him and pins him with a spell. Thunderous applause.
10. The Ending. Harry's scene with Dumbledore is quite powerful, and is true to the book as well. The movie ends on a very sympathetically sad note.
2007-03-09 03:43:42
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answer #1
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answered by Nick S 2
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The book will be far better than the book because it will have more details than the movie. The book is a vey big one (with about more than 450 pages) and all its contents cannot be transfered into a one and a half hour movie. So i feel that the book will be far far better than the movie. But personnaly(leaving the logic out!!!!!!!!!!!!)i want the movie to be very very good. So I am exited and am waiting for the movie to be released.
2007-03-09 01:25:46
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answer #2
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answered by raaga 1
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I'm going to have to say that the book is better because the movie is based on it so it's probably going to have a little more detail than the movie. But I have to admit the movie looks pretty good. Can't wait till July!
2007-03-09 00:44:18
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answer #3
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answered by Just Call Me Miss Fix It 3
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the books r awesome n so r the movies cant wait 4 the 5th movie the trailer looks really good it will be really cool if they could have the whole book in the movie but then the movie will be 2 long though i dont mind!!!
2007-03-09 05:00:14
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answer #4
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answered by *Sweet_Chic* 2
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The movies are great! But by far, the books surpass the movies. I have read all the books and have the seventh on preorder and I have yet to be disappointed by the books. The movies leave so much out its disappointing.
2007-03-09 01:07:38
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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Definitely the book. all the books are WAY better than the movies. the movies are enjoyable but they just dont have what the books have. and besides Michael Gambon is an absoloute shite Dumbledore! He doesnt know how to be Dumbledore....he portrays him like he's an angry old man...which Dumbledore is the total opposite of! hahha.. my rant is over now!! hahaha!
2007-03-09 00:44:39
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answer #6
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answered by xxxLeveyxxx 3
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The books have been better than all the movies thus far and I am sure it will be the case this time.
2007-03-09 00:41:55
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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harry potter book 5 will be better
2007-03-09 00:46:14
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answer #8
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answered by varun 2
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i am sure that the book is better than the all movies which i have seen
2007-03-09 00:46:35
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answer #9
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answered by SHREYANSH R 2
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book. the movies dont have everything that was in the book
2007-03-09 01:25:10
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answer #10
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answered by MIthi 3
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