The next time I post here, I'll have seen it.

[emmagrant01]

In a little over three hours, I'm meeting stargategirl82 for a pre-movie drink, and then we're going to get in line to see Deathly Hallows at midnight. I'm beyond excited -- I'm feeling queasy! There are so many things I'm looking forward to. I've remained relatively unspoiled, and I look forward to being surprised as well. I've been saving all the cool behind-the-scenes stuff for after seeing it, because that just seemed more appropriate somehow.

I know the "popular" fandom opinion is not to care about the movies, because this story is about the books. I know there are plenty of people out there who will see the movie and post lengthy criticisms of it because it's not ever going to live up to the book for them. And there are people in this fandom who are rolling their eyes at all the excitement over this movie, who will say they just don't care.

But you know what? I care. I so flipping CARE. I came to this fandom because of the movies. I saw the first one and loved it and decided that maybe I would give these kids' books a try after all. I didn't actually start reading them until after the second movie, right before OOTP was released, but I had already started reading fanfic before I ever read the books, just because I enjoyed the movies that much. (Harry/Ron led very quickly to Harry/Draco, of course.) And when July 21, 2007 rolled around and I closed the book (after ripping out the Epilogue), I fucking CLUNG to the fact that there were a few more movies left. It was something to look forward to in this fandom that had come to mean so, so much to me.

So yeah, I love the DH movies. I love that they're interpretations of the books, that they condense the stories and add twists that weren't in canon. (I didn't actually like the book of OOTP very much until I saw the movie version -- after that I could read it without wanting to strangle Harry.) I love that some of the characters (like Draco and Snape) were softened considerably for the films, and I've personally enjoyed the fanfic that has resulted directly from that. I love that the movies are NOT the books and that they add to the HP universe anyway. I love them for many of the same reasons that I love fanfic and fanart.

So I know I'm going to love this movie tonight. I'm going to love every minute of it. I'm going to be full of squee and sleep-deprived when I see it again tomorrow with pennswoods, charlotteschaos, and phaballa (why yes, it is indeed a slashcast/snapecast movie watching meet-up!), and I know I'll cry just as hard the second time. Maybe more.

And I'm probably going to skip the posts hating on it, because this movie is going to be LOVE for me. Pure love. ♥

Comments

[subtlefire.livejournal.com]

I don't need to tell you to have a wonderful time - just bring lots of Kleenex, I think!

♥

[ariannagray.livejournal.com]

I agree with everything you say, but especially the following part:
(I didn't actually like the book of OOTP very much until I saw the movie version -- after that I could read it without wanting to strangle Harry.)

THIS! A hundred times over and then some. xD

Almost forgot: Have a great time watching DH2!

[valkyrie17.livejournal.com]

I didn't want to strangle him, just smack him about the head a bit:)

I foundd him very annoying in that book, but I also thought it was a pretty accurate depiction of a 15 year old boy...

[abbyvonnormal]

Looking for the 'like' button ;)

[coffeejunkii.livejournal.com]

the only reason why i'm in hp fandom is because of the wonder that is alfonso cuaron's poa. if it hadn't been for that movie, i would have never read the books. i'm really excited and yet sad about the last movie, too.

[pennswoods.livejournal.com]

*squee*

Have so much fun!!!

I've already packed my Snarry box of tissues for tomorrow.

[vlredreign.livejournal.com]

ITA AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT THIS POST WANTS TO BE.

I got into fandom because of the books and the movies, and because the idea of Harry with any of the males we've slashed him with over the years was way too appealing to walk away from.

I don't care if they deviate from canon for the movie, they always do. I think I'd die if I ever saw a movie that followed canon to the letter. Haters gonna hate. Those of us that love the books and movies and characters...we'll always be here.

Have fun, I'm seeing it tonight as well! Don't forget your tissues!

[ausmac.livejournal.com]

I loved it very much, am going again tomorrow to see it with my sister after seeing it alone on Wednesday night. I was literally twitching with excitement while waiting for it to start. In my theatre they showed a "making of" piece before the film which was very unusual for any Aussie theatre to do, but I really appreciated that. Is it different from the book? yes, in spots, both less than and more than. Did that matter to me? Not at all. As you say, the books and the films are different threads, almost parallel universes. And I recall throwing a small "thank you" into the air for the Snape scenes because, even with my ability to accept variation, any distortion of "those" scenes would have broken my heart. So go, enjoy, squee, sigh with pleasure, sniffle and laugh and go "thank you" for two hours of a special treat for the senses.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I came to this fandom because of the movies.

I'd read the books but I came to the fandom because of Jason Isaacs's Lucius; I have no shame in admitting that at ALL!

[nmalfoy.livejournal.com]

Google it, Sirius.

[bloodstaindnght.livejournal.com]

I love all the posts like this that are popping up on my flist. As much as I might whine about the differences between the books and the movies, I love them both equally and I can't imagine the fandom without the combined efforts of both. I'm so excited to see the movie in just over three hours, but I'm so sad for it to end, too.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I loved almost all of it, and will be really interested to see if someone who started off in the movie-verse has any issue with the one part I didn't love (happily there was more after that bit, so I could get back to the loving!)

[nmalfoy.livejournal.com]

Everything you said. But I'm excited to see the movie, yet sad that this is the last HP-related thing we'll have to look forward to and anticipate. Harry will live on forever, of course, but it feels a bit like the end of an era in my life. I made SO MANY friends through HP, and started writing and went places and had new experiences... met my best friend through HP! So I'm in the first stage of grief, I guess... I'm seeing the movie tonight, but by myself. None of my friends here are into HP really, which has sucked... I've been to several midnight book releases alone, and movies, and... well, that's why I'm getting the hell out of here!

[leela-cat.livejournal.com]

Have a wonderful time. Please share the squee when you've seen it.

I care for the same reasons that you do, and I'm looking forward to seeing the movie as well. Although it will likely be next week before I get there.

And there will be new bunnies coming to life as the credits are rolling, I'm sure.

♥

[lksnarry1.livejournal.com]

I hope it is everything we all hope it is! Take lots of Kleenex and have a great time!

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

The movies don't do a lot for me (although Alan Rickman sure does) but I'm going anyway. My kids are dragging me to the midnight show. I"m not convinced they'll stay awake for the entire thing, but I know I'll enjoy it regardless. :D

I agree about the haters gonna hate thing. I much prefer the books, but hey, the movies are an important part of the whole HP universe, and nothing would be the same without them!

I started reading the first book right at the same time that they cast the first film, so those kids (who are no longer kids) fully became the characters for me.

have fun tonight hon!

[mindabbles.livejournal.com]

Aww, have fun!!!

[lauramcewan.livejournal.com]

Katie is line right now. Have a great time!

[valkyrie17.livejournal.com]

Have a wonderful time. I won't be able to get to it until Tuesday...

[shanna-souzou.livejournal.com]

I just came home and was hoping you'd already posted your thoughts on the film!!

The books were my first introduction to the universe and so they will always be closest to my heart. But I have to agree with what you said about the DH movies. The final book is my least favorite and the only book in the series that I've only read once. I was so disappointed that I've never been able to bring myself to read it a second time.

But the DH films have done a great job of keeping what's essential instead of cluttering its brilliant moments without alot of confusing fluff. I do think a few things may have been too neatly cleaned up (would have loved about ten minutes of extra background on the horcruxes and their significance to Voldemort), but overall it was a satisfying end to an amazing decade of Harry Potter films. In many ways, it was loads more satisfying than the final book was.

[clevermomi.livejournal.com]

You really summed up my feelings on the movies here ;) I've always viewed them and the books as seperate but complimenting entities. Deathly Hallows didn't disappoint, it was such a great film and I already think its my favorite of them all!

[dreambastion.livejournal.com]

Our introduction and initial delving into the HP fandom is almost identical... lol

I watched the first movie on DVD, the second in the theater and had friends already in the HP fandom, so had been reading a few fics here and there. Decided after the second movie to start reading the books, devoured the first four and was at the midnight book release for OotP, and I have been thoroughly hooked ever since!!

I'm also like you in that I love the books AND the movies. To me, the movies give us more, because we get things from other POVs that we don't necessarily see in the books. Sure, the movies still focus on Harry, but we see more of the other characters, which for me just makes the world that much richer.

[foxestacado.livejournal.com]

Well said, well said. I think even though part of me doesn't want to care about the movies so much, I do care, very, very much so.

Like you, the movies led me to reading the books. So I owe a huge part of everything to the movies.

Can't wait to read your reaction.

[pink-mint.livejournal.com]

I love that you wrote this, and I love the way you wrote it. Those are my feelings exactly! ♥

[dark0feenix.livejournal.com]

Hee! I had the same start: I saw the first and the second movie, then read the books right after OotP came out. And I'm very much looking forward to the last movie. Because it will be the last!!! OMG!

[akemi42.livejournal.com]

Oh my god I am so sad to be missing the unofficial Snashcast meetup!

[enchanted-jae.livejournal.com]

Amen.