Harry Potter cometh!

I decided to sneak in a viewing of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix before the latest book Deathly Hallows comes out next Friday.

I've never liked the movies nearly as much as the books because I don't think it's possible to convey the bonds of friendship, in 2 hours, that run so rich throughout the book. I did thoroughly enjoy the Order of the Phoenix movie though, I think in part because the kids are getting older and the plots darker.

I do prefer the movie's treatment of Sirius and Harry's relationship to the book big time. Their relationship in the book was rather disappointing to me. I was always hoping for something a little more "glorious" for lack of a better word and the movie definitely comes through.

Unfortunately, Ron doesn't get his day in the movie as a Prefect and his own man, like he does in the book, as one of my friends was quick to point out.

I was cautious about how they would portray Luna Lovegood but was happy to see how she turned out. Although her role in the movie is minimalized from that in the book, I think it's played well.

What I also really miss in the movies are the holiday celebrations. The Halloween/Christmas/Easter celebrations in the books always seem to enrich the friendships and further cement their bonds. Plus it all seems so Muggle-like.

The Weasly twins get more airtime in this movie than any other but it still isn't long enough to really do justice to the fiendishly delightful characters the book portrays. I think the entire description of what they do at the end of the book to torment Umbridge is amazing and one of the best parts.

Overall, it's a good movie - definitely worth full price and more than definitely a steal at $5 if you see it at an AMC Theater on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday before noon. OR you can get 2 AMC tickets at Costco (to see any movie) for $14.99!

I'm not sure why it's so important to some of us that the movies follow the books as closely as possible. One theory I have is that the movie is the book come to life. It's things we've only imagined in our heads now in full, living color outside our minds. Harry really is growing up and turning into a little hottie. The Weasly twins are as tall, skinny, and pranskterish as we pictured them. Mad-Eye Moody's eye is even grosser than we thought, and so on. So when we don't get to see our favorite parts from the book, show up on the screen it can be disappointing.

Nevertheless it's on to Summer of Harry Potter, Part II next Friday when we can all snatch up the very last book in the series and see what happens to Harry, Ron and Hermione. (Don't let Harry die!!)

And yes, I've reserved my copy at Borders and may even head up there at midnight to fetch my copy. It took me about a week to read Book 6 so if you see me before I've finished that last one DON'T tell me what happens!!

P.S. Check out these special Harry Potter license plates that some fans have ordered for themselves!

P.P.S. Apparently IMAX is showing it in ginormous (don't scoff, it's in the dictionary) 3D in some places.