Meisha vs. Harry Potter

[delga]

Ugh. I need to learn my book. Soon. Especially considering my lit exam is on Monday. I spent today wasting time. See below.

I went to see the movie with my sister because she really wanted to go and was bugging me about it. And my conclusion? It was quaint. I probably would have liked it better if I knew the basic premise of the story - which I still don't - and I'd have probably liked it even less if I had read the books.

And there within lies the bane of my problem: to read or not to read?

I know, you're all marvelling at the fact that I am even contemplating not reading a book but seriously, I tried to dig this book. Really tried. Hard. Many times. Conclusion? I don't like it. I don't like the way J. K. Rowling writes. The film was ok. The film was ok because mostly, I didn't get it. But should I now try to get it - try again? Is this a good idea?

Here's the thing: I see potential in the story. I think the characters are hollow but the ideas are strong. I like that Hermione is clever and that these three friends are a strong unit. I like that Ron is a few paces behind. There's relatively little I like about the protagonist except for the basis of his story and one thing that struck me quite hard in this film was that even with all of the friends and all of the happiness he has at this school, he's still lonely. He's very lonely. The film actually ends on a yell and whilst it's supposed to be a yell of delirium, it comes across as something else completely. Yes, I know I'm reading too far deep into this but my point is at the end of the movie, Harry Potter is still on his own.

(If this is how it's supposed to be, please enlighten me).

Apart from the obvious jokes, most of the film was choppy; scenes didn't flow into each other. The story works on its own: that's a commendable asset as far as I'm concerned. It's my understanding that Hermione is a little up herself, a little presumptory but she didn't come across as such. If anything, the moments when she was self-involved were confusing because they seemed out of character. I liked the twist in the story. I did. The whole time-shift thing was dealt with in an elegant way. Note to the CGI FX people: get some decent graphics. The big demented things - Dementors? - were not scary. I was not afraid.

In fact, I wasn't engaged with this movie. I didn't feel that Harry had achieved any personal growth; I don't think he learnt from what he had experienced. I think he was shown to be powerful and dangerous. And lonely. Very, very lonely.

Beautiful set though.

So my plan for this entire weekend is to revise Enduring Love. Gah. I also have to go to work tomorrow morning. More gah. But, plus points, The DC finale, Miami and L&O: The Mothership are all on tomorrow. Leaving me the rest of today, half of tomorrow and all of Sunday to revise.

I don't know which Miami it is tomorrow. I'm betting that we're going back to a HoCaine bitch week. Yes, worry not, last week was a one-off. Hurrah. (Not).

So, I'll be back then. Be ready!