Behind the Screen
Hollywood and Indie Offerings

Desson Thomson
Washington Post Film Critic
Friday, July 13, 2007; 12:30 PM

Washington Post film critic Desson Thomson was online Friday, July 13, at 12:30 p.m. ET to discuss "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," the fifth movie of the J.K. Rowling series, which opens Wednesday, July 11, plus all the other current movie offerings, both Hollywood and indie.

All Things 'Harry Potter': Hogwarts Hub

Thomson, a movie critic at The Washington Post for 15 years, was raised in England where he was entranced, like most, by Hollywood movies. And it was a visit to see David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia," that made him realize movies had to be a part of his life.

A transcript follows.

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Desson Thomson: Welcome to the Harry Potter corner. The cauldron is bubbling over with questions already, I see. I will do my best to answer what I can. But I am not -- how can I put this? -- the great Potter expert. I have read the first book. I have waded through the fifth book, and I have seen all the movies. I also went to my own kind of Hogwarts -- a British boarding school, and let me tell ya, there's no magic there or Quidditch. Abraca-let'sgetonwithit.

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washingtonpost.com: A Bewitching Brew Of Thrills and Slapstick (Post, July 11)

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Desson Thomson: I also want to add that we will do our best to conduct this without spoilers. But I can't promise complete safety, especially if someone has something great to add to the conversation. At least be good enough to say SPOILER ALERT at the top of your posting so you can respect those who wish not to know about the ending or whatever might spoil their fun.

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D.C.: I seem to be the odd man out (or woman, as the case may be). I'm a huge fan of the Harry Potter books and have read each of them five times. However, I only liked the first movie. The second was so-so, and the third and fourth movies were terrible. I'm planning on skipping the newest movie all together. Why is it that the critics love the movies more as the plots get farther and farther away from the original books? The books get darker with each edition, but the movies are so dark I don't think they're suitable for kids anymore. The movies now only faintly resemble the books anymore. I'm surprised J.K. Rowling gives any of them her blessing. Do you think most of the critics have read the books? I can't imagine that people who love the books would also love the movies. Just my two cents.

Desson Thomson: Hi D.C. That's interesting. You are right, in that the movies have been getting darker. And I have no way of knowing how many critics have read the books. (I don't huddle as a rule with other critics about things so I can preserve the freshness of my opinion.)But I would say that critics are going to like the movies as they get darker because the directors have been progressively more expressionistic. It makes watching the same old story more interesting if there are new elements like that. I personally liked the first one, simply for introducing me to the HP universe, but it has become my least favorite because it is the most G-rated in tone and simplicity. By that, I mean it's the least adventurous cinematically or even narratively. Again, this is just my opinion. I am not the Dumbledore of this subject.

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Alexandria, Va.: Book five was rich in detail and story line with plots and subplots. This fifth movie leaves much of book five off the screen. Does this film effort represent the worst screen adaption of the five books?

Desson Thomson: I know this is heresy but I really found the fifth book verbose and overwritten. I felt as though it dawdled unnecessarily. I really think that 870 page book could have been a 500 page one -- simply by editing the writing. But I expect J.K.R. has now become She Who Must Not Be Edited. So, to me, it was a blessing to see a trimmed version in the film. Of course, this also means that the movie had to give short shrift to many elements. So there's two sides to that argument.

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London, England: From a business point of view, it's fantastic. From human phenomenon point of view, it's mass hysteria. Which doesn't mean it's good. The drawback is that yet another generation of impressionable English parents is going to send their children to boarding schools, like 50 years ago. This is when fantasy takes over reality. There's nothing behind it, but some people take it seriously.

Desson Thomson: It would be VERY interesting to find out how much HP is impacting boarding school admissions!

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Kingstowne, Va.: Just a request: I plan on seeing it Monday, so no spoilers please. Thanks.

Desson Thomson: We'll do what we can, but can't promise, as I said.

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Washington, D.C.: Was the "Order of the Phoenix" as good as the other movies in the Harry Potter series?

Desson Thomson: One of the best in my opinion.

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Rhode Island: Hi Desson,

Thanks for this chat.

I really, really miss Richard Harris, rest his soul, as Dumbledore. I don't know if Michael Gambon is just wrong for the role, or if he just approaches the character all wrong. Dumbledore is wise and gentle. Gambon plays him as a cranky, impatient, bombastic old man. Just wrong. Does he continue this trend in Order of the Phoenix?

Desson Thomson: You won't like him in this either. I agree that Harris's Dumbledore and Gambon's are almost polar opposites. I also miss Harris's twinkly eyed Dumbledore. There was a warmth there that's missing in Gambon.

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Florida: After seeing "OOTP", I felt that important details from the book were left out of the movie. Did you or anyone else feel the same?

Desson Thomson: Well, as mentioned, the filmmakers had 870 pages of stuff to turn into a 138 minute movie. You don't need to be a mathematician to realize that stuff will have to be cut.

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D.C.: I don't know if you've read the books yourself, but I think it is impossible to integrate every detail of a 500+ pg book in a movie, so the directors HAVE to stray a little. I really didn't like the 5th book, and I honestly thought that this was the best movie because it incorporated some of the charms of the book -- such as little, hilarious exchanges between the characters or the Extendable Ears situation with Crookshanks. In that way, I think that it stayed closer to the spirit of the book than any of the other movies.

Desson Thomson: As I said in the intro (ahem), I have read the first and the fifth (although I confess, there was a lot of skimming in the larger second half). But I agree with your point. A movie only has so much time. Its best hope is to convey the charm and the essence of the novel.

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Washington, D.C.: RE: Dumbledore's portrayal

You have also to realize that in the Order, Dumbledore has taken a step back from Harry, a trend that continued in the 6th book (on the surface in the Half Blood Prince). Michael Gambon's portrayal may not be to your liking, but a less warm fuzzy Dumbledore is pretty accurate!

Desson Thomson: Makes sense. Good to know. Thanks. But it doesn't necessarily change the difference in acting warmth. Harris would have implied that there was warmth behind his show of coldness -- simply because Harris had the intrinsic quality. Gambon is naturally a cold-blooded performer, so to speak. He's a great actor, but warmth is not his foremost quality.

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Salisbury, Md.: I thought Gambon was much, much better in this movie than he was before in the role. My daughter, who had decided she hated him, volunteered the same opinion. This story is more urgent and Gambon pulls that off.

Still miss the Richard Harris twinkle, but not as much.

Desson Thomson: Ha, interesting.

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Santa Barbara, Calif.: If you haven't read it, you'll never figure it out. It's the Cliff Notes version with every other page of the CN cut out. Should have been two movies, they could have made 2X$ and it would help carry the plot along. Now, it's going to be a bit of a disappointment when you watch them all in series in later years. Yes, we just watched the first four again last month.

And, I'm 61.

Desson Thomson: Good for you, you young whippersnapper. Interesting thoughts.

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Darker Movies Not Further from Books: As someone who has also read all the books and seen all the movies, I completely disagree with the first poster. I think the movies have gotten darker just as the books have. I do think the movies have departed a little bit more from the books, but not at all in plot development, just by leaving more out. As the books get longer in each installment, the movies HAVE to leave stuff out if they're going to be any reasonable length, and they're already long movies. In fact, I think the later movies have gotten better because I think they have perfectly captured the tone of the books. The biggest strength of the later movies, in my opinion, is that they have done a good job of cutting to make a stronger movie. My favorite movie so far is three, followed by four, then probably one. I haven't seen five yet.

Desson Thomson: Very well stated. I agree with what you're saying.

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Falls Church, Va.: Desson, why do you think Yates aimed to make the shortest movie yet? I definitely think the ending (not the fight -- the resolution and explanation afterwards) could have used more time. Who is being appeased with a shorter HP movie?

Desson Thomson: I can't answer that -- not being privy to his thinking or the studio's. And I personally felt it was long enough. But everyone will have their opinion.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Desson! I've been disappointed in most of the Harry Potter movies, but I really enjoyed this latest installment. So to whom should I give thanks -- the new director? New screenwriter? Maturing cast? I suspect it's option two -- never been terribly overwhelmed by Steve Kloves.

Desson Thomson: I think you can thank the fact that both of them -- David Yates (trained in the more impatient medium of television--but British T.V., so smarter T.V.) and screenwriter Michael Goldenberg were newcomers and brought fresh insight.

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Clearwater, Fla.: Having read all the books and seeing the movie, there are points in Book 5 that are not in the movie, that will play a role from here on out. I am wondering how the screenwriters will get around this, how much input does J.K.R. have in what is in and what is out?

Desson Thomson: I don't think J.K.R. has any input per se, though I could be wrong. If she did, we'd STILL all be stuck in the theater, watching the movie.

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Silver Spring: Desson, has there ever been such scrutiny of movies based on books such as the Harry Potter series? I am so tired of those who say, "Why was this or that left out?" My lord, if the book is not more detailed, nuanced, and engrossing than the movie, something is wrong in my view.

Desson Thomson: I think the fact that so many casual readers read Potter may account for the intensity. If more moviegoers read more books in general, we'd be hearing this lament about virtually every adaptation of every film.

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Answer me first, please: Before I start reading this chat, I wanted to ask if you are going to restrict Harry Potter related posts to comments about the (excellent) fifth movie, and not entertain speculation about the ending of the seventh book. I am very carefully avoiding speculation about the seventh book and need to know if it is safe to read this chat. Thanks.

Desson Thomson: Sorry, I didn't see this soon enough. So far no one has gotten into that. So it's safe so far. Anyone who wants to go into that dark place please preface it in your post right at the top.

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Rockville, Md.: I was SO happy to see Helena Bonham Carter in the role she played. She's creepy enough on her own that she made a GREAT Bellatrix!

Desson Thomson: Haha. She is a very -- shall we say -- striking person. I heard her in a few interviews, and she's charming but also seems a little, well, eccentric.

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Wheaton: Hi Desson. So, five movies into the series, and Harry Potter has not won one Oscar or Golden Globe -- let alone been nominated (maybe wrong on this). Any chances for this movie?

Desson Thomson: Hey, you makes your money you don't gets no Oscar. (Lord of the Ring made out with both, though, for the 3rd installment.) C'mon, let the deeper, artsier movies win SOMETHING.

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washingtonpost.com: A Bewitching Brew Of Thrills and Slapstick (Post, July 11)

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Falls Church, Va.: Mr. Thompson,

Really enjoy your reviews on the films you critique even if I don't always agree!

In comparison to the other films (books withstanding), where do you rate this film, and what do you think of the adaptations?

Desson Thomson: Thanks very much. I'm glad you have your own opinion too. I wouldn't want the responsibility. I liked this one along with the Alfonso Cuaron version (Azkaban) because of its moodiness.

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washingtonpost.com: Full Coverage: Hogwarts

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Laurel, Md.: I enjoyed the movie a lot more than the book because the need to smack HP wasn't in the movie. In the book he was just a whiney teenager.

Desson Thomson: He was kinda whiny. My biggest problem actually with both book and films of HP, is that Harry is not deeply developed enough as a person for the HP series to really go into immortality. He's at the center of the storm but really isn't so compelling as a person in and of himself. And in the films, it doesn't help that Radcliffe is not exactly Brando.

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Ocala,Fla.:"But I expect J.K.R. has now become She Who Must Not Be Edited."

This is not at all unknown. Three examples: Robert Heinlein,Tom Clancy and Stephen King. All three grew "invulnerable" to editors and IMHO, their books suffered.

That said, I loved this movie.

Desson Thomson: Good points.

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Re: Dumbledore: He's not supposed to show warmth! it's not the actor, it's how Dumbledore was written in this book. He's trying to make Voldemort think that the connection between him and Harry has been severed. This really shouldn't be a surprise. Also, for the people who don't want spoilers, I guess they didn't read the book. If you don't want spoilers, don't read chats until you've seen the movie ... geez!

Desson Thomson: Okay, thanks.

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D.C.: Rupert Grint is fantastic -- great comic timing and he's improved with every flick. And I agree with the Dumbledore comments. Dumbledore II is ALL wrong, and the actor clearly never read the books. He is light-hearted and would never yell at the students. He is serious when it comes to Voldemort, but he never would have yelled "Shouldn't you all be studying?" in the fifth movie. He's such an important character, it's really a shame the actor can't capture his true personality.

Desson Thomson: I like Grint too. Very English.

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Alexandria, Va.: I'm with you -- I enjoyed the movie more than the book. I remember being fourteen well enough as it is -- I didn't have to wade through 300 pages of teenage angst. I don't think that it's a spoiler to say that I like how quickly Harry in the movie "moved on" and accepted the fact he has people who are on his side.

I also enjoyed the character Luna much more in the movie than in the book, and I was more moved by Harry's relationship with his godfather based on the screen portrayal than I was reading the book.

Desson Thomson: Hey, thanks. I would say that Gary Oldman had a lot to do with why Sirius got to you more intensely in the movie. He was terrific in the role.

And can I take this occasion to say how much I ADORE Alan Rickman as Severus Snape. I want to see Severus Snape movies!

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D.C.: Can we just celebrate the brilliance that is Alan Rickman for a moment? I loved the play between Snape and Umbridge in this one. And I don't think it's possible to say enough good things about Imelda Staunton's portrayal. Spot on from the book I think. And I really like how Daniel Radcliffe's acting is coming along. I am however, getting a little bit tired of Hermione's seemingly one-note emotional capability.

Desson Thomson: Ha, great minds think alike.

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Peterborough, N.H.: While I would agree that Rowling needed an editor for book 5, and that the story was nicely trimmed down in the new movie, there are some issues about leaving things out. What troubles me is that while Ginny Weasley will played an important romantic role in the 6th book and may in the 6th movie, her role in the current movie has been so truncated that the introduction of that romance has the potential of seeming rather sudden and arbitrary when (and if) it occurs.

Desson Thomson: Good point.

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Washington, D.C.: I have to agree about Gambon, and it's surprising, given how perfect I think the rest of the casting is (I can't wait to see Imelda Staunton as Umbridge -- inspired!) I watched Goblet of Fire again last night, and I hated the scene where Dumbledore violently shakes Harry after his name comes out of the Goblet. That's so completely wrong from the Dumbledore in the books. I generally like the ways the movie digress from the books to develop their own sensibilities, but not in this regard.

Desson Thomson: Yep. I hear you. And Imelda is great. Best performer in the movie.

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Washington, D.C.: Desson,

The whole world wants to know. If you were a Hogwarts pupil, of which house would you be a member?

Desson Thomson: I'd steer clear of Harry's, for starters. Everyone's always clustered around him. I'd want my own corner where I was the cool one.

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Berkeley, Calif.: I am not a HP fan, and I have NOT read all the books and have only seen the 1st movie. I saw the movie last night, and I thought it was great. Perhaps non-HP fans would enjoy it more since they go in with less expectations.

Desson Thomson: Yes, you were, perhaps, the ultimate test!

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Washington, D.C.: I love the way the kids use the term "brilliant" instead of "cool."

Desson Thomson: That's English parlance. I like it too. It's brilliant.

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Falls Church, Va.: One of my biggest problems with the first movie was that it tried too hard to stay true to the book (with certain exceptions -- loss of the Peeves character for example). I have appreciated the fact that the filmmakers have done their best to keep to the spirit of the books, while still successfully making a film that is worthy in its own right. This has always been a tricky balance. Sometimes it works ("Gone With The Wind") and sometimes it doesn't (too many examples to count).

Desson Thomson: Agreed, F.C.

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Raleigh, N.C.: Without spoilers ... J.K.R. did have input into the movie. She told the producers, who wanted to cut a character, that if they did they'd have a hard time with filming book seven.

Desson Thomson: Aha! Thanks.

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Houston: With your English boarding school background, do any of the Potter films come close to capturing the school atmosphere or environment of what you experienced? Of course, I'm surmising that you had a standard education and are not secretly a graduate of Hogwarts.

Desson Thomson: If I were a wizard, I wouldn't tell you, would I? There are many, many echoes of my own schooling in watching that movie. The dining hall. The Dumbledore address. The way that teachers can SUCK THE SOUL OUT OF YOU with such withering contempt. And the Quidditch scenes are very much like the house rugby games I played. Yes, tons of things make me think of my school.

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Fla.: While I agree with those that say editing must occur, in the fifth book, Ron makes the Quidditch team and is really bad at it. I would have loved to see that in the movie for some comic relief. I am a bit upset that there wasn't any Quidditch playing the film. I hope they don't leave Quidditch out in the sixth film too.

Desson Thomson: That's an understandable disappointment. But it might serve well to not make it a requirement that the game of Q. be in EVERY Potter flick. Makes for dull formula.

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Silver Spring, Md.: As the movies have progressed, do you feel the characters are progressing as well, and do you feel the filmmakers are showing that progression in the appropriate light?

Desson Thomson: Could be better, as Ms. Umbrage might say. I'd really like to see the inner circle get deeper with each other. I'd like to see their private moments - get into their innermost thoughts and conflicts.

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Ginny's romantic potential: The previous poster obviously wasn't watching the movie closely -- in every scene that Harry was pinning over Cho, Ginny could be seen pinning over Harry. Plenty enough set-up for movie six.

Desson Thomson: Yes, I noticed that too.

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Arlington, Va.: While overall I was impressed with the movie makers' ability to streamline 870 pages and not lose much, I was extremely disappointed in the final scene with Dumbledore. That scene in the book has a huge emotional impact on the reader, yet in the movie, it's very ho-hum and both actors seem stiff and uncomfortable (rather than furious Harry and broken Dumbledore as in the book). I wonder whether others had the same reaction, and whether anyone feels this scene was stripped of emotion for a reason?

Desson Thomson: I agree with you. I felt the ending was a sort of letdown. The weakest section.

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Salisbury, Md.: Mr. Thomson,

I enjoy your reviews and also found the movie hit all the right notes. I think your review missed one more bright spot: Luna Lovegood. Her ethereal (not just weird) quality and her acceptance of life and death made her utterly charming, if you'll pardon the pun.

And here's the other question: about Daniel Radcliffe's career: He really is becoming an actor, but did it take Equus to establish that?

Thanks!

P.S.: Thanks, also, for the explanation of your name change. Gracefully done.

Desson Thomson: Thanks for the kind words. Appreciate that.

Just as the movie had to sacrifice things from the book, I had to sacrifice things from the movie in my review. I loved her. And those centaurs were terrific. There were many other things I had to gloss over.

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Lincoln, Northeast: As far as movies go, I thought "The Order of the Phoenix" was a good one, but in terms of Harry Potter movies, I didn't think it really captured the essence of the books. There was something missing. I'm not talking about the events in the book that were changed or eliminated (though I would have liked to see the swamp and was disappointed with the downplay of Fred and George). The books have always been a balance of the characters having to deal with extreme situations and normal student issues. In "Prisoner of Azkaban," I think the director did a good job of showing the quiet moments and adding little bits that allow for them to be purely students. This movie seemed to be all action and dramatic moments.

Desson Thomson: Those are some good observations. And it helps me understand why I liked both films you mention -- for different reasons.

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Washington, D.C.: Not just British boarding schools. Reminds me of my boarding school here in the States too. Good and bad memories, alike.

Desson Thomson: You too, huh?

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Annapolis, Md.: I'm excited that the dialogue has not been Americanized. I'm looking forward to hearing "Brilliant" and other Briticisms. I remember being very dismayed when I had a chance to compare U.K. and U.S. versions of the first book, and certain words had been translated for the U.S. market. It felt like such an insult, as if we Americans couldn't be expected to handle British slang. For example, rubbish to garbage, crumpet to muffin, etc.

Desson Thomson: Yeah, that stuff burns me too.

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Tecolote, N.M.: As I was thinking about Imelda Staunton's "spot on" performance, I suddenly started to wonder how much influence (without being noticed) Jim Dale has had on the directing and acting. His readings of the series on audio books have been delightful, and now I "hear" the characters in his voice when I re-read the books. Staunton's "ahem ahem" mannerism seems perfect for both the written character and as a reflection of Dale's perfect reading. ...

Desson Thomson: That's fascinating: how the different interpreters meld together in your head.

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South Riding, Va.: I know that movies cannot always be 100 percent faithful to the books they are based upon. Each of the last Harry Potter movies have had to cut out some scenes and make other minor changes to the story lines. Since will be seven books and the last book hasn't been released, how do they know that a minor change in one of the movies doesn't have a major impact on the plot line for a future movie?

Desson Thomson: Yes, we've touched upon this. And come to think of it, that's why J.K.R. would be essential to consult with.

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D.C.: I agree with the poster above regarding the truncated discussion between Harry and Dumbledore at the end. I understand the logistical difficulties of squeezing and 800-page book into two hours, and was overall impressed with how the movie adaptation tried to stay true to the essence of the book. However, the seemingly rushed ending glossed over a major piece of the connection between Harry and Voldemort and failed to set the stage for Book 6, which could lead to a disconnect with the next movie.

Desson Thomson: Hmm. Interesting.

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Arlington, Va.: I am going to see HP5 tonight. I'm a bit apprehensive. I have read all of the books and am chomping at the bit for the 7th, but of all of the movies, I really only liked the Cuaron directed "Prisoner of Azkaban." I separate the books from the movies knowing full well that not everything can translate. But to me, Cuaron was the only one who got the spirit of the books correctly.

Desson Thomson: Well, we share a love of the Cuaron version.

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College Park, Md.: I think I read somewhere that although there are seven HP books, there will only be one more movie. Is this correct?

Desson Thomson: Nope, as I understand it there are two more to go. Correct me if I am wrong.

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Clearwater, Fla.: I loved Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix and am excited to see her again in Half Blood Prince, Nov. 2008.

Desson Thomson: I don't expect she'll disappoint you.

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Arlington, Va.: Hi Desson ... Just an FYI, you refer to Voldemort in your review as the "dark prince", however, he is not a prince. There is no royalty or monarchy in the Harry Potter tales.

Desson Thomson: I wasn't being literal. I meant it figuratively.

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Washington, D.C.: While most critics appear to like HP5, those who don't seem disappointed that the film is darker. I believe Roger Ebert said something to that effect and hopes the next film will be less dark. It's interesting to see critics divorce the films so much from their source material. Of course the movie is dark, and of course the remaining two will be -- probably even darker. Wouldn't it be off-putting for a director to turn a dark, fantasy/war story into something "light and enchanting?"

Desson Thomson: Yes, I think it would be off putting.

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Memphis, Tenn.: I really think this has been one of the more interesting Potter films. I like the books, but the movies sometimes get lost in the Potter minutia that makes the films kinda slow and really not worthy of a second viewing. I was surprised how much I liked this movie as much as I thought the fifth book was the weakest Potter of the lot.

Desson Thomson: Less is more.

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Washington, D.C.: I am also a huge HP fan and have read each of the books numerous times. However, here I have to agree with the critics. I really enjoyed "Order of the Phoenix" and thought it was cinematically brilliant (especially, the climax in the Dept. of Mysteries). As a huge fan, I've come to separate the movies from the books. The movies will never be able to be as inclusive as the books and nor should they be. I would hate to have all the details laid out on screen because it ruins the imaginative fun of the books. You have to accept each medium for what it is and what it can excel in, and I think "Order of the Phoenix" is excellent.

Also, what do you think of the progress of the acting abilities of the three children throughout the course of the movies?

Desson Thomson: Good points.

Regarding the progress, it has been good but if I WERE DIRECTOR I'd really make a point of showing even deeper progression. If you care about characters, an audience is in your grip no matter what the rest of the movie is about.

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Anonymous: I just think something was missing from this movie. The action was all there, but I think the movie lacked the quiet moments, the whimsy, what made Harry Potter great. The only thing that this director brought to the movie that I really appreciated was the Neville/Harry relationship development and the great actress who played Luna Lovegood. Bring back Alfonso Curaron!

Desson Thomson: Ha! Thanks, Anonymous -- or Poster Who Must Not Reveal His/Her Name.

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Lansdale, Pa.: This movie was a pretty good movie, however the plot was definitely off and it kind of butchers the book a bit. Although casting was excellent (and this is one of Harry's best movies so far), it's depressing to see one of the greatest books in the series come down to a 6/10 star movie.

Desson Thomson: Thanks for that. I seem to be hearing from many that it's not the greatest book of the series, but hey, you have your taste.

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Arlington, Va.: I'm wondering what the poster felt was left out that will play a role in the later films? I thought they did a remarkably good job trimming down an 870 page book into a movie that left things out, to be sure, but things that I didn't feel were that important (like Quidditch). And this is from someone who was horrified that they left out, for example, the explanation of the Marauder's Map in film 3. But maybe I have overlooked something of importance?

Desson Thomson: I don't know if there has been anything left out that's going to blow things. There was certainly enough in the movie for me.

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Washington, D.C.: I'm glad you liked Harry Potter. As a die-hard fan whose read the books a half dozen times and have seen the movies even more often, I really enjoyed it. I had heard a while back which scenes weren't being included, so I wasn't too disappointed at what wasn't there. But I can see some people being disappointed. But the effects were amazing and the acting was great. I love your description of Alan Rickman's Snape: "Silkily funereal Alan Rickman, as Severus Snape, makes contempt seem like a fashion statement." Well said!

My one complaint was that the final battle scenes were too fast and furious -- it was hard to follow what was happening, who was casting which spell, etc.

Are you a fan of the books and could that have colored your perception of the films? It's interesting to see the opinions of die-hard fans -- they either love the films because they get to see their favorite story brought to life, or they hate them because they fail to successfully capture what they had pictured in their heads.

Desson Thomson: I wouldn't say I'm a fan of the books. I am a fan of the story, but not so much the writing, though I love J.K.R.'s whimsical tone. So if anything, I am more likely to be a champion of the movies.

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Bethesda, Md.: Harry Potter: Nicely done. Even so, I can't help but feel like Warner Brothers is in this for the money. It seems like none of the directors is a "real Harry Potter fan" the way Peter Jackson was a "real Lord of the Rings" fan.

Do you think that maybe 50 years from now, someone will do an extended Harry Potter series the way it was meant to be done? Or does it all depend on how satisfying the last book in the series is?

Desson Thomson: I wouldn't be surprised if one day in the future they tried Potter again. As you say, the need for money is always around.

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Desson Thomson: Muggles and others, it has been exhilarating. Thanks for making this such an enjoyable chat. I'll catch you all in two weeks for my next chat. Have a great fortnight, meanwhile. And go see some non-Potter movies too!

Ciao.

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