by George Lucas
I made the mistake of beginning to read the novelization for this movie before watching it again, so about midway through the book, I stopped to put in the DVD. However, I admit that what I’d read of the book has colored my current opinion of the movie.
It was probably only the third, maybe fourth time I had watched it, the first time being at the theater; and my friends had to drag me to go. I tried so hard to resist seeing the first of the prequel trilogy, but I’m glad I went. When Darth Maul made his first appearance, we all thought he rocked. And when he lit the second blade of his lightsaber, we simultaneously leaned back in our seats and breathed, “Whoa!” Like many Star Wars fans, we were disappointed that there wasn’t more Maul.
That opinion still holds for me. As for my first impressions, a few have changed. Jar Jar is tolerable as the trickster figure, but what inspired George Lucas to create the Gungan species, or at least their way of speaking, is still beyond me. Though a cute little boy, Jake Lloyd’s acting isn’t all that impressive. “Yipee”? And for someone who grew up on Tatooine, you’d think his Huttese accent would be a little better. I would cut him some slack, but there are plenty of child actors out there who are better. Don’t ask me to name any, though. Heh. (Although Natalie Portman really impressed me in The Professional, the first movie in which I saw her — the first movie in which she starred.) Ewan McGregor’s and Liam Neeson’s performances are definitely not less than you’d expect.
The plot itself is fine, except for the fact that Anakin Skywalker was conceived without a father. When I first saw the movie, I thought, “Oh, what, so he’s like some kind of Jesus, or something?” I still think that. For the ridiculous characters and plot lines Lucas created, at least there are cool ones to make up for it. The politics revolving around Coruscant and Senator Palpatine’s blooming climb to power is well done. Mace Windu rocks the house. And of course the special effects are awesome. It’s a Star Wars film — how could they not be? Overall though, it’s just OK.
by Mike Newell
Tsk, tsk, tsk . . . such a handsome villain! I’m sure by now it isn’t considered a spoiler to reveal that Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the movie in which Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), the ultimate Harry Potter bad guy, returns to a normal state. For him.
Though he’s completely bald and has serpentine nostrils as described in the book, his eyes are normal and he doesn’t wear robes like the Death Eaters (similar to Darth Vader’s, I might add). No way — the costume designer did a brilliant job with Voldemort’s outfit whether she designed it or procured it, I don’t know, but he’s sporting a black, custom-tailored designer-looking suit and shirt. Very Pradaesque. Anyway, this is Ralph Fiennes, we’re talking about, so how could he not be a handsome villain?
Students from other wizarding schools coming to compete in the Tri-Wizard Tournament was also a nice touch — well, it was the main plot, after all. The second best scene (next to Voldemort’s rebirth) was Hermione’s (Emma Watson’s) entrance to the Yule Ball, though that could have been played up more, as Rowling did in the book, especially the way Ron (Rupert Grint) realizes at the last minute that she’s “a girl.”
Still, I’m getting a bit tired of the good guys, and I’m thinking that the Dark Mark on the Death Eaters’ left arms would make awesome tattoos!
by Paul Greengrass
Cheesy title, I know, but what the hell? Doug Liman, who directed Identity, is the executive producer for this one, and Paul Greengrass (interesting name) directed Supreme. I haven’t bothered to look up why the change in directorship, though, but clearly Greenglass knew what to do with the film.
On one of the DVD’s bonus features, Greenglass attempted to get things in one take, or at least not rehearse scenes before shooting them — the one he was referring to was when Bourne was running from one of the snipers (Karl Urban). Matt Damon said something to the effect that Greenglass encouraged the actors to do what they felt would make his/her scene real, sort of gave them license to “direct” their own acting. Obviously, it worked!
SPOILER
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I was highly disappointed that Marie was killed in the beginning of the movie, but . . . that’s the nature of being on the run. Um, I think.
by Doug Liman
Never read any of Ludlum’s works, and I’ve actually seen this before. Definitely strikes me as a movie that’s way better than the book!
by Alfonso Cuarón
I never wrote a review of the first movie, but I loved it, certainly compared to the second one (see review here). Though I do like Christopher Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón took the Hogwarts series in a different direction.
Yes, I’m still re-reading the book, but what I loved about Azkaban is the fact that most of the story was told through the amazing cinematography; imagery. Notice all of the clockworks, clocks, the pendulum in front of the huge oak doors that lead out of the castle, none of which were in the other movies, or if they were, none of which were emphasized. Cuarón skillfully uses falling leaves and flight (of birds and/or the hippogriff) to smoothly change from one scene or season to another, a unique way to signify time changes within the movie.
Absolutely brilliant.
by Chris Columbus
Meh. Just didn’t seem that great this time around for some reason. The beginning especially ddddrrrrraaagggggeeeeeddddd. It could have used more Quidditch matches. Maybe that’s it.
It also reminded me of our leaky kitchen and bathroom faucets that the maintenance man was supposed to have fixed months ago and are now leaking — again. Maybe it’s the Basil-isk’s fault. 
by LucasArts
Possible spoiler.
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According to font of wisdom that’s the Prima KotOR II Guide, the third time you play through the game, you get extra dialogue with Atton (if you’re character’s female) or the Handmaiden (if you’re character’s male). I finished playing DS and have started playing LS again a few days ago, thinking it’s my third go.
Then I realized that the first time I ever played was on the 360, so that game doesn’t count because now I’m playing on the regular Xbox, which means I have to play another game after my current one yet! How annoying.
by David Hodgson
I’ve been consuming this for quite awhile, actually. How else am I supposed to finish that danged KotOR II without missing one single quest? 
by LucasArts
I had to start over because the last time I played, I couldn’t remember how far I had gotten and what I’d accomplished. But now, the game sometimes freezes when I try saving it, even in a new slot. Or it’ll freeze when it’s automatically loading a new section or whatever. The sound is also very staticky.
So last night, I started over yet again, but on the regular Xbox, not the 360. Haven’t had any trouble so far, but we’ll see. It would really piss me off if there’s something wrong with the 360 because I finally got the second version of Star Wars LEGO, which I obviously won’t be able to play if there’s something wrong with the stupid machine.
Anyone else have this problem, or know where I could get my 360 fixed? Or maybe it would cost less to just buy a new one than have it repaired? I can’t believe our regular Xbox has outlasted the 360!
by Gore Verbinski
We’ve owned this DVD for a few years now, which we received as a present, and watched it for the first time last night. I don’t know why we waited so long. It was such a fun movie, that included action, adventure, comedy, romance — so many different genres in one movie.
And who would’ve figured that baby-faced Johnny Depp from 21 Jump Street (yes, I used to love that show when it first came out) would not only “grow up” to be an excellent actor, but an excellent character actor as well. I figured this out years ago, so just sayin’.
We haven’t watched movies much lately, but we’re planning to get the sequel today and watch it this evening, then see Pirates 3 at the movies. I still LOVE Chow Yun-Fat, even though he sold out to Hollywood. *sigh*
