Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Disappointed. That is how I felt when my husband and I went out of the moviehouse. I don't know if I expected too much. I was really excited about seeing the film. I even reread the book 2 weeks before the movie's release. But then, i felt being cheated.

Having read all the books and watched all the films of the Harry Potter series, Im very keen to watch the fifth installment. As they say, this is the darkest Harry Potter film. However, to my surprise, it didn't come up with my expectations.

I can't really explain. When the film's credits were shown, all I was able to say was "Is that it?" David Yates did a good movie but a very, very poor book adaptation. I know it's not easy to fit a 800+ page book into a full length movie. But to make it in a 2-hour 15-minute film, it's already very disappointing. It missed out some important details in the book.

1. Ron and Hermione being prefects (Making Harry feel more outcast.)
2. Ron's entry to the Gryffindor Quidditch team (Quidditch is one of the most enjoyable scenes in Harry Potter films.)
3. Firenze being the Astronomy teacher (Causing trouble with the Centaurs in the Forbidden Forest)
4. Harry's interview for the Quibbler (This will be carried out on Book6)

I also do not understand why they changed some details of the story when in fact, it could have gone on with the original characters.
1. Cho did not betray the DA. Would it hurt to get another person to portray Marietta?
2. Neville did not discover the Room of Requirement. Dobby told Harry about it.
3. Mad-eye Moody was the one who showed the picture of the Original Order of the Phoenix to Harry, not Sirius.
4. Lucius Malfoy did not broke the prophecy, Harry did.

There are so many things I can point out. But the bottom line is, it is better that they stuck with the book and give more details rather than making it look like a story outline. That is what fans, like myself, look out for. I do not expect them to put in every detail in the book. I know it's not easy.  But I wish that they did not change the details of the story.  It makes me think they never read the book at all.  I just hope they get a new and better director for the next film. Someone who can give what the fans are looking for.

But then again, if you have followed the series, you still have to watch this one. Just for the sake of watching it!

transformers

One of the most anticipated films of the summer, Transformers does go far above my expectations. Having watch the making on the tv, it made me think it's just one of those good movies. But I was so wrong. It was an AWESOME movie.

Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) bought a yellow Camaro as his first car. To his shock the car seems to have a mind of his own and he later found out that it is one of the Autobots, Bumblebee. Both the good Autobots led by Optimus Prime and the evil Decepticons led by Megatron are stalking Sam because of a discovery of his great-grandfather while exploring the Arctic about the Allspark.

The story is just good, not complicated. You dont have to think hard, just enjoy.

The cast were excellent especially Shia whose comic antics are on the right timing.

It's amazing how the CGI mixed with the real characters. However, the tranformation from vehicle to robot seems a bit blurred (or I dont know if it's because were just near the screen.. hehe..)

Very good special effects.

Great sound effects. I can still hear the sound of the robots hitting each other.

The action scenes between the robots are exciting. But I think the battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron should have given more emphasis than Sam running with the Allspark.

There were really no dull moments in the movie. The supposed boring scenes were covered by those funny antics by the characters. I like it when the Autobots are trying to hide from Sam's parents in their backyard. It was really funny!

This is probably the best 'special effects' movie I ever watched. The CGI is really very good. So don't wait for the DVD copy (whether original or pirated). This is really one movie worth watching in the big screen.