Having reviewed all 8 movies, it is time for a disclosionary entry. There are so many wonderful things about the movies. They were genius; inspired; perfection -- or as close they can be seeing as the books are full of rich imaginary details over hundreds of pages, . . . so much that everything cannot be incorporated into the movies.
. . . but, even if I do love these movies and understand that some things must be cut, there are still scenes that I wish I could have seen on the big screen.*
Sorcerer's Stone
Wizards and witches celebrating in the streets -- It would just be a nice contrast. The movie starts out with the tragic death of the Potters, except for Harry. At the same time, however, Voldemort was "destroyed." Seeing that happiness can be found despite Harry's new orphan-status would have been interesting. The story, however, centers on Harry, so I totally understand why they did not include this scene.
Meeting Draco in Madam Malkin's Rogers for All Occasions -- It's true that they meet each other waiting for the Sorting Ceremony to begin, but I like the tension caused by meeting earlier. It gives Harry a more blatant reason not to be in Slytherin-- doesn't want to be anything like Draco. Hagrid doesn't help this feeling. It also starts the idea of prejudice among wizards, Muggles, and Muggle-born,which becomes very important later. Even meeting on the train would be nice, but if I had to choose, I would stick with Madam Malkin.
Peeves -- Who doesn't love a practical joke loving poltergeist? He adds humor to the story, especially when there is none to be found? He's the Fred and George of the ghost/ spiritual realm. It's hilarious. He may be annoying at times, but he still makes me laugh. What's life without some unpredictable fun?
Professor Binns -- I just wanted to know what it would look like to be taught by a ghost, especially when everyone hates that class and is bored to tears.
Quirrell and Defense Against the Dark Arts class -- We see every other DADA professors teach (we see Snape teach in Half-Blood Prince book and he did teach DADA in Prisoner of Azkaban for one class), but why not Quirrell? What does his DADA class look like?
Lee Jordan vs. Professor McGonagall -- I know the focus is on Quidditch, but hearing McGonagall and Jordan argue over the commentary adds humor to the scene that wasn't previously there.
Christmas -- What does the Great Hall look like decorated? We only see it plain with a few banners for each house.
Ron and the Mirror of Erised -- I just want to know how Ron saw himself.
Dumbledore talking to Harry about his father saving Snape -- I know it's a quick statement, but I feel like it would add depth to Snape's hatred of Harry. We get to see James picking on Snape during Occlumency Lessons in his memory, but seeing James save his life would add another layer of hatred.
Chamber of Secrets
Malfoys at Borgin and Burkes -- In the films, we are told that the Malfoys are dark wizards, but seeing that they have "embarrassing" things that would get them arrested if the Ministry came to investigate. It makes them seem even more evil.
Physical fight between Arthur Weasley and Lucius Malfoy at Flourish and Blots -- I really want to see them "duke it out" so to speak. They hate each other so much. They are truly rival families and sometimes, it's necessary to throw a punch. It reminds me of the first Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books where Lena's Bapi and Kostos' Bapi have a throw down. It would have been quite entertaining.
Professor Lockhart and the other teachers -- I just think it would be funny to see Lockhart be so pompous and arrogant along with the annoyed, frustration of the teachers he tries to upstage.
Nearly Headless Nick's Death Day Party -- Okay. I know this is an odd scene to point out, but I still love it. You get to know more about Nick, but you also get to see the Headless Hunt take place. It would have been interesting to see. You do, however, get to see one ghost riding a horse with his head in his hands, but only book readers would have been able to make that connection.
Lockhart and DADA class -- Instead of teaching, he begins to reenact his "life story" with some assistance from Harry. Just seeing one incident would be enough. It would just be too funny for words.
Swelling Solution -- I just want to see Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle get hit with the swelling solution. It would be pretty funny.
Valentine's Day -- Just seeing the cupids flying about and the valentine-bringing dwarves would be funny, especially the one that catches Harry. It makes me think of the little old guy with wings in Tangled. It's awesome.
Tom Riddle's Diary -- Why did they cut out Professor Dippit out of the memory and added all his lines to Professor Dumbledore.
Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry in Diagon Alley -- I would have loved to see more of the shops in the alley. In the movies, we see the inside of Gringotss, Flourish and Blots, and Ollivander's, but that's it. There are so many other shops in the alley that are missing from the film such as Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.
*The same could also be said about Hogsmeade -- we see Honeydukes and the Three Broomsticks, but what about Zonkos or the Post Office?
Lupin's DADA class -- Professor Lupin brings in so many magical creatures that we never get to see. Sure, Ms. Rowling describes them in detain in the book, but getting that visual picture of them would be wonderful.
*The same can be said about the creatures (minus Hippogriffs) in Care of Magical Creatures class as well in Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix.
Sir Cadogan -- I just find him funny and think it would be hilarious on the big screen providing they found the right actor for this.
Eavesdropping in the Three Broomsticks -- I like that Hermione and Ron get to hear the full story about Black and what allegedly happened twelve years ago. This way Harry doesn't have have to explain it later and the story isn't colored with Harry's misery and grief.
The Firebolt -- Yes, Harry gains the broom and we see him take off on it before the credits start rolling, but wouldn't it be nice to see it in a Quidditch match? Yes. Yes, it would. Who doesn't want to see the best and fasted broom in the world in action?
Ron and Hermione fight -- I know they fight in this film, but it is much more intense in the film. In fact, it's like the fight Ron and Harry have in Goblet of Fire. I feel like this fight should have been more extensively covered in the movie. Not only does it show Ron's temper, but it also shows how he grows throughout the series until in Deathly Hallows, they fight, but he comes back to finish what they set out to do.
Goblet of Fire
Whole opening scene -- It's fantastic and so funny. You have the overly stamped letter, funny on it's own, but Mr. Dursley's reaction is priceless. Then, the fireplace is blown to pieces. And finally, Fred "drops" a ton-tongue toffee and seeing Dudley like that would be too funny for words. Seriously. Who didn't want to see this?. It would have been hilarious and you know it.
Harry and Hermione finally getting introduced to the two oldest Weasley children, Bill and Charlie - While Bill and Charlie are only mentioned briefly in the movies (until Bill shows up in Deathly Hallows), those who read the books get to have a pretty good picture of the oldest Weasley children (more so Bill than Charlie, but whatever). It would have been nice to see them on screen, adding to the enormousness of the Weasley family.
Quidditch World Cup -- There is so much left out and I can understand why. You would want to get to the meat of the film faster, but I wish we could have seen a little more. There are wizards who are wearing Muggle clothes incorrectly, such as Archie who insists on wearing a dress because he likes "a healthy breeze 'round [his] privates" (GF 84). It would also have been neat to see what Rowling's veela and leprechauns looked like. It would have just added something interesting to the scene. But again, I know why they didn't add it.
Hermione and S.P.E.W. -- Again, I know why this was left out. It didn't add anything to Harry's story. (If I remember correctly, the director wanted to focus primarily on what affected Harry because there were too many sub-plots to cover). I still think it's interesting and somehow deepens Hermione's character.
Draco, the ferret -- I am SO glad they kept this scene. It's hilarious and definitely film-worthy. In fact, I think many Harry Potter lovers would have been disappointed if it had been cut. So this was a good choice to keep.
Ludo Bagman -- Okay. I know he is not an essential character and that he could be easily inserted into Crouch's character, but I would prefer to see the personalities separate. Ludo offers a strong contrast to Barty Crouch Sr. An essential contrast even. Crouch is supposed to be "heartless" and cold sort of person. The humor and fun of Bagman takes away from those qualities in Crouch and alters the nature of his character all together. The man who has fun is NOT the same man who sends his own son to Azkaban (at least in the book when his son begs for mercy and Crouch disowns him, sending him straight to Azkaban with the Lestranges).
The Maze -- The maze was quite difficult with the changing, deadly hedges, however, I would have liked to see all the creatures Hagrid put there as well. Oh well.
The ending -- In the film, Harry does have that brief breakdown of emotion because he saw Voldemort return and Cedric Diggory die; however, by the end of the movie, he seems perfectly sound and happy, enjoying a few last minutes with Ron and Hermione as the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang leave Hogwarts. In the book, however, Harry is still shaken up to the point that he has nightmares which we learn from Dudley's taunting at the beginning of Order of the Phoenix. The film version does make reference to this scene before the dementors attack; however, it doesn't seem genuine to me. Unless Harry is bi-polar / having mental issues that do not include being a Horcrux, I don't believe Harry would have gone from being carefree and happy at the end of Goblet of Fire to being angsty all throughout Order of the Phoenix. I just don't get it, but whatever . . .
Order of the Phoenix
Number Twelve Grimmauld Place -- Seeing as Harry, Ron, and Hermione (along with other important characters spend at least 180 pages cleaning up and living in this house that has . . . for lack of a better word . . . gone to seed. Plus, you would get to meet more of the Order this way. I just think there were a lot of missed opportunities here, especially regarding Molly and her boggart as well as the screaming painting of Mrs. Black.
Why Percy is working with the Minster of Magic -- The movie-only audience have no idea what's going on and might be confused if they remember Percy at all, but I feel it's significant for those who have read the books because you see the most prized and esteemed family in the series falling apart. It's awful. The only thing worse is Fred's death.
Prefects -- This seems like an odd thing to leave out, seeing as two of the three main characters earn this title. Plus, it was important when Percy was at Hogwarts, but it left when he passed his N.E.W.T.s and joined the Ministry of Magic. I just want to know why. It wouldn't require anything other than adding a badge to Ron and Hermione's robes. Furthermore, it would make Harry's anger, angst, and other typical emotions as a teenage kid more believable on screen, because we definitely see it in the book.
Luna and Hermione -- On the Hogwarts Express, Hermione and Luna come into contact for the first time (according to the book). This is a critical scene because of the dichotomy between these two characters: one who believes in only what can be factually proven and one who is willing to believe in anything and everything. It is also important for Deathly Hallows. Hermione needs to remember Luna's free belief in the unknown and unexpected to help Harry gather the Horcruxes and kill Voldemort once and for all. I truly feel that this foil-esque contrast could use more emphasis in the film. After all, this is the second shortest of the films, so they had the space to try new things. I just don't understand why they didn't include that. Then again, Goblet of Fire started following only things that directly pertained to Harry, so it only makes sense to carry on in this tradition.
Dolores Umbridge -- While Imelda Staunton is well suited for this role and I appreciate her perfect performance, I wish she looked the part more. For example, every description of her from Rowling says that she is toad-like in appearance; a quality Staunton doesn't possess (also a quality that she should be quite thankful that she doesn't have).
McGonagall VS Umbridge -- I wish they did more with their argument. McGonagall really hates Umbridge, and I just wish we could have seen more of it.
Quidditch -- I love Quidditch and we didn't have it at all in Goblet of Fire due to the Tri-Wizard Tournament, so I wish we had seen it this time around. Seeing Ron play for the first time would have been awesome. It would also allow for more reasons to hate Professor Umbridge, so it really should have been incorporated if only for that reason alone.
Firenze as teacher -- I would have liked to see what his class room looks like, but also see what a class taught by a centaur would look and feel like.
St. Mungo's -- While it is sad that we had to go to St. Mungo's at all, I'm quite curious as to what a magic hospital look like. Rowling's descriptions are wonderful, but I would have enjoyed the visual image. I also like that you get to see Neville's parents. In that one scene, you can really begin to understand Neville and why he is the way he is.
Hogsmeade trip -- It would explain why Cho and Harry fall apart -- something not explained in the film at all. I also would have liked to see Rita in a new, different, more desperate light.
Snape calling Lily a "Mudblood" (this can also fall under Deathly Hallows as well) -- In Deathly Hallows, you get to see all these memories that Snape shared with Lily as well as the memories of him watching her and the Marauders interact, but you never find out why Lily and Snape fell apart. Had this scene been included, everything would have made sense.
Marietta Edgecombe, the "SNEAK" --I thought there was a brilliant move on Hermione's part and I kind of like Marietta (a little bit anyway) so I dressed up as her for Halloween one year.
More of the different rooms in the Department of Mysteries that Harry and his closest friends found while seeking the prophecy -- I just think that there are so many different, interesting rooms around the Department of Mysteries and I would have loved to see him. I just don't think that the Hall of Prophecies is just not enough to qualify as the only thing in the Dept. of Mysteries. There were so many rooms and I would have liked to see the planetarium room or maybe the brain one. It just gives more space and adds for more . . . well . . . mystery.
Meeting between Dumbledore and Harry after the Ministry battle. Where is the anger and grief? Why isn't Harry yelling, screaming, and threatening to throw/break things -- This is just a sad, yet wonderful scene. Harry is obviously enraged. He has been angsty during this entire book / movie; he had to get it out sometime and who better to blow up at than Dumbledore, the man he was most frustrated with. It's incredibly moving and sad, but necessary.
Half-Blood Prince
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Meeting of the Ministers -- I love that the film began in London as the Muggle realm was under attack by Death Eaters and other followers of Voldemort, but I would have loved to see the Muggle Minister interact with Fudge and Scrimgeour. I just . . . Order of the Phoenix focused a lot on the Ministry of Magic and how it is falling apart because Fudge won't accept that Voldemort is back. Then, in Deathly Hallows, we're reintroduced to the Ministry of Magic and how things are changing, especially with the Muggle Registration Act or whatever you would like to call it. But, somehow, the Ministry completely disappears from the film. I just don't think that was a good idea. They could have done this scene in place of the stupid burning down the Burrow scene.
Glasses dancing on the Dursley's heads- This is just another thing that would have been hilarious to see on the big screen.
More memories about Tom Riddle's past-- Don't get me wrong: I'm not saying all of them should be used, but I feel like the two we are shown is not enough. So much of this book was about learning about and understanding Tom Riddle and what led him to become Voldemort. I just feel like that too much of this was cut away to follow the luvy-duvy trials of being teenagers.
The Christmas scene without the Burrow burning down because that was just stupid -- I would like to combine this Christmas scene with the one presented in the book because there are parts I like in the book that only appear in the book and vice versa. The burning of the Burrow, however, was completely uncalled for. I believe it was used to introduce Fenir Greyback to the audience, but they had already seen him in Borgin and Burkes. Instead, they could have worked the scene to reflect Lupin's story-telling. There could be a voice over of Lupin explaining Greyback and a montage of Greyback killing etc. that would have served the scene much better.
Apparation Lessons -- This would seemingly be a some-what essential scene because in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry, Ron, and Hermione can all of the sudden do it with no explanation to the movie-going audience. And considering that the movie-only audience has to be confused because so much of Harry's preparation for finding the Horcruxes (and, unintentionally, the Hallows as well), apparation lessons could have been done in under 10 minutes.
The huge battle going on while Harry and Dumbledore are after the Horcrux in the cave -- I was waiting for the Order to show up and save the day. I miss seeing Bill bit and the miraculous survival of Harry's friends after he gave them the last of his Felix Felicis. This was just such a disappointment. I was completely let down by this scene.
Dumbledore's funeral -- I liked everyone shooting light into the air to obscure the Dark Mark into oblivion, but I feel like the funeral adds closure. But it also shows how important Dumbledore was to the Wizarding World and to Harry as well. After all, Harry could not have accomplished everything he was chosen to do with Dumbledore guiding him along the way.
Deathly Hallows
Snape's seat at the meeting -- In the book, Voldemort has set aside the chair immediately to his right for Snape. This may not be that big of a deal to some people, but it bothers me. Symbolically, the person seated to your right is the one you trust the most; therefore, Voldemort's most trusted Death Eater is Snape -- an important distinction because Snape is a double-agent.
Pious Thicknesse -- In the movie, he is chilling out with Voldemort and everyone else at the meeting at the beginning offering his opinion as a Ministry employee. In the book, however, Thicknesse is under the imperious curse. This is a big difference and I'm not sure how to balance and rectify the differences.
Harry's birthday -- I would have liked seeing the cake and everything, but I appreciate it that they at least mention it after Harry, Ron, and Hermione are forced to leave the wedding for the Muggle world.
The treatment of Kreacher -- In the movie, Harry is quite angry and forceful towards Kreacher. The book, on the other hand, shows a transformation in the relationship between Harry, Ron, and Hermione to where there is no anger or hatred; there's only gratefulness and mutual respect. It's a much better message, especially considering what Dumbledore said about Sirius and the way he regarded Kreacher.
Harry finding the letter from his mom -- This letter is essential because it seems to give him hope that Dumbledore was the man he knew -- something more necessary in the book. Throughout the movie, Harry seems to be fairly certain of the man Dumbledore was. In the book, however, Harry goes through a complete downward spiral of doubt and mistrust. Even though Harry was confident about his relationship with Dumbledore at the end of Half-Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows tests him and his faith in Dumbledore. Harry hits rock-bottom, beginning to hate Dumbledore, but, by then end, comes back full circle and realizes Dumbledore was with him all along, guiding him through everything and saving his life in the process.
Rita and the Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore -- I wish we could have seen more of what Rita wrote in her book about Dumbledore's past. After all, a big portion of Deathly Hallows is about Harry losing faith in Dumbledore and then finding it again so that he may destroy Lord Voldemort.
PotterTalk -- I just thought it was an interesting bit within the books. Plus, Ron had a radio, so it wouldn't have been hard to implement this scene. I am, however, aware that they had a lot to cover in these movies, so I understand why it was left out.
Percy redeeming himself to the Weasley family -- Yes, he does make an appearance in Deathly Hallows Part 2, but no movie-only audience member is going to know what's going on, especially since they last saw Percy as a dedicated worker in the Ministry of Magic and a traitor to his family. He does, however, redeem himself at the end; it just would have been nice to see that executed in the film. Then again, that would involve seeing Fred die, so maybe skipping that scene wasn't such a bad idea after all . . .
Harry fixing his wand with the Elder Wand -- That wand was extremely important to Harry, so I don't see why they didn't show him healing it because he never wanted the Elder Wand so now his wand was Draco's.
Being introduced to Teddy would have been nice -- we hear a bit about him in the book, so it would be nice to assign a face with the name, but in the movie he doesn't exist at all. The only time he's mentioned is while Harry using the Resurrection Stone and he's talking to Lupin.
** Neville's speech after they thought Harry was dead -- In the movie, this was brilliant. I wish Rowling could have thought of it to put it in her book because it was brilliant.
*This list will be updated as I finish rereading the series.
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