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Random Thoughts
Jul. 13th, 2007 12:29 pmSo I've been reading reviews of OotP today and it seems so far that response is quite mixed. Some folks are scratching their heads over stuff that was inexplicably removed while others are delighted about new elements pulled directly from the ass of the screenwriter. I intend to remain open minded until 8:15 this evening when I'll have a chance to come to my own conclusions. But to be honest I don't generally go to the films with a list of nitpicky details that must be included or I WILL NOT BE HAPPY. Indeed, I generally go with one or two scenes I really, really hope they include because I think they're intensely important (generally to Severus). I'm also one of the first to love a film version of a book that can stand on its own and doesn't try to just make pretty pictures match up with words (i.e. crappy movies 1 and 2 versus the superb 3).
Will I get everything I want? Oh hell no. I mean GoF was one of the most disappointing because I really only needed to see one scene (Severus being asked by Dumbledore if he was prepared and answering that he was) and it was inexplicably left out. Sure I'd have loved to see the Sirius/Severus hand shaking bit, and oh lord how I would've adored it if they hadn't left 10 minutes at the very end to try and deal with the return of Voldie, death of Cedric Diggory, etc. On the other hand sometimes it's fascinating to see what JK feels can be left out without hurting the future stories. And sometimes, just sometimes you get a little moment or two added in that makes you go, "Hmmm", which adds its own bit of fun (one of my favorites was Severus leaping in front of the kids in PoA to protect them from Moony).
To me the movies are a fun supplement to the books, a way to match up characters and actors, to actually hear the voices you've "heard" in your head for so long, and on occasion as a way to visualize something that just didn't come across in the books (i.e. the final battle in OotP, which I defy anyone to try to choreograph given what Rowling wrote). But really it's all about the books, that's what I'm a fan of, and part of me rejoices that by a little over a week from now I'll have the final installment in my hot little hands. The other part, of course, wants to burst into tears. I can't believe one more week and it's over.
Ok, maybe not over, I mean we've still got fanfic and the film versions to look forward to, but you know what I mean.
To be honest, I'm more nervous about Deathly Hollows than the film version of OotP. How is this all going to end, and am I going to be pleased or horrified with what Rowling's come up with. A lot of my friends are amazed when I can watch a part of a series or read part of a book and then predict exactly what's going to happen. It's not really some magical ability, it's just me very often asking myself, "Ok what would I do if I were this writer? What would make the most sense and be fulfilling given my own tastes?" If I'm deeply into something it's a fair bet that my tastes and those of the writer(s) working on the piece are similar so projecting ahead isn't all that tough.
The one thing I've been certain of from the start of the HP series is that ultimately Severus was on the side of the angels and that his was a story of redemption. When asked why I can come up with all sorts of answers relating to textual clues, but honestly when it comes right down to it, it's because that's the better story. Severus as a cookie cutter villain is as dull as dry toast. But Severus as a man hell bent on redeeming himself is downright fascinating. Sure I think there are strong reasons to believe it given what we've read (i.e. Harry is always wrong about Snape, and allow me to re-emphasize that here, always), but ultimately I believe it because that's what I'd do given the same characters and story. It just makes sense.
Let me give you another example here to prove my point. Take Kerr Avon from Blake's 7. He was always meant to be a bit of a foil for the hero Roj Blake. He was the sarcastic, sly, cynical dark side to Blake's naive, optimistic idealism and they balanced each other beautifully. But the writers quickly discovered that while Blake was the "hero" he was also deadly dull to write for/about. His story just didn't really have anywhere to go, he was a good guy doing the right things for the right reasons. Yawn. What was interesting, though, was why the hell Avon kept hanging around with this guy, why he didn't just take some money, guns, and make a run for it. Ultimately the answer was that he too wanted to be redeemed and he turned Blake into his own personal savior. Blake trusted him and Avon found that absolutely intoxicating, but moreso that he knew he could trust Blake.
Trust and loyalty were Avon's holy grail, his eternal quest, and oh man did it make for some awesomely compelling story telling. It's certainly why you could have the actor playing Blake leave the series, but have the show continue on even stronger. Avon's redemption story was what kept you coming back for more.
I believe those two qualities combined with an innate need for some semblance of justice are the primary motivators for Severus as well. I suppose I'm less afraid ultimately that Rowling will make Severus a cookie cutter baddie than I am that she'll undercut his redemption story with some goofy pseudo-romance with Lily Evans. If Lily becomes the vehicle for his redemption I'm going to be seriously annoyed. If it's a combination of her and his life debt to James, somewhat less annoyed. But, oh, if she just lets Severus need redemption for his own sake, to quell his inner demons and to rekindle his own humanity...well, let's just say I'll build an altar to the woman and worship her as she deserves.
Will I get everything I want? Oh hell no. I mean GoF was one of the most disappointing because I really only needed to see one scene (Severus being asked by Dumbledore if he was prepared and answering that he was) and it was inexplicably left out. Sure I'd have loved to see the Sirius/Severus hand shaking bit, and oh lord how I would've adored it if they hadn't left 10 minutes at the very end to try and deal with the return of Voldie, death of Cedric Diggory, etc. On the other hand sometimes it's fascinating to see what JK feels can be left out without hurting the future stories. And sometimes, just sometimes you get a little moment or two added in that makes you go, "Hmmm", which adds its own bit of fun (one of my favorites was Severus leaping in front of the kids in PoA to protect them from Moony).
To me the movies are a fun supplement to the books, a way to match up characters and actors, to actually hear the voices you've "heard" in your head for so long, and on occasion as a way to visualize something that just didn't come across in the books (i.e. the final battle in OotP, which I defy anyone to try to choreograph given what Rowling wrote). But really it's all about the books, that's what I'm a fan of, and part of me rejoices that by a little over a week from now I'll have the final installment in my hot little hands. The other part, of course, wants to burst into tears. I can't believe one more week and it's over.
Ok, maybe not over, I mean we've still got fanfic and the film versions to look forward to, but you know what I mean.
To be honest, I'm more nervous about Deathly Hollows than the film version of OotP. How is this all going to end, and am I going to be pleased or horrified with what Rowling's come up with. A lot of my friends are amazed when I can watch a part of a series or read part of a book and then predict exactly what's going to happen. It's not really some magical ability, it's just me very often asking myself, "Ok what would I do if I were this writer? What would make the most sense and be fulfilling given my own tastes?" If I'm deeply into something it's a fair bet that my tastes and those of the writer(s) working on the piece are similar so projecting ahead isn't all that tough.
The one thing I've been certain of from the start of the HP series is that ultimately Severus was on the side of the angels and that his was a story of redemption. When asked why I can come up with all sorts of answers relating to textual clues, but honestly when it comes right down to it, it's because that's the better story. Severus as a cookie cutter villain is as dull as dry toast. But Severus as a man hell bent on redeeming himself is downright fascinating. Sure I think there are strong reasons to believe it given what we've read (i.e. Harry is always wrong about Snape, and allow me to re-emphasize that here, always), but ultimately I believe it because that's what I'd do given the same characters and story. It just makes sense.
Let me give you another example here to prove my point. Take Kerr Avon from Blake's 7. He was always meant to be a bit of a foil for the hero Roj Blake. He was the sarcastic, sly, cynical dark side to Blake's naive, optimistic idealism and they balanced each other beautifully. But the writers quickly discovered that while Blake was the "hero" he was also deadly dull to write for/about. His story just didn't really have anywhere to go, he was a good guy doing the right things for the right reasons. Yawn. What was interesting, though, was why the hell Avon kept hanging around with this guy, why he didn't just take some money, guns, and make a run for it. Ultimately the answer was that he too wanted to be redeemed and he turned Blake into his own personal savior. Blake trusted him and Avon found that absolutely intoxicating, but moreso that he knew he could trust Blake.
Trust and loyalty were Avon's holy grail, his eternal quest, and oh man did it make for some awesomely compelling story telling. It's certainly why you could have the actor playing Blake leave the series, but have the show continue on even stronger. Avon's redemption story was what kept you coming back for more.
I believe those two qualities combined with an innate need for some semblance of justice are the primary motivators for Severus as well. I suppose I'm less afraid ultimately that Rowling will make Severus a cookie cutter baddie than I am that she'll undercut his redemption story with some goofy pseudo-romance with Lily Evans. If Lily becomes the vehicle for his redemption I'm going to be seriously annoyed. If it's a combination of her and his life debt to James, somewhat less annoyed. But, oh, if she just lets Severus need redemption for his own sake, to quell his inner demons and to rekindle his own humanity...well, let's just say I'll build an altar to the woman and worship her as she deserves.
