Question about Harry Potter books and movies (may contain spoilers) (2010, on tv)

[Life7]

I've recently finished reading the first 4 books in the series and will read the next ones in the near future. I noticed that the first 4 came about every year from 1997-2000 and that the 5th one came out a few years later. Does that show in the final product, in terms of the story/consistency/tone? For example, the fourth book starts out very dark in the first chapter with the dream sequence and in my opinion, that tone never comes back until the end. It gets all funny and cute with the Dursleys and the elves, etc. Please don't spoil anything that happens in the story when answering this, if possible.

I also just finished watching the first movie and I really didn't like that I was pretty much watching the exact same thing I read, with barely any differences. Are the rest of the movies like this as well? Again, please no spoilers.

[wallflash]

Originally Posted by Life7

I've recently finished reading the first 4 books in the series and will read the next ones in the near future. I noticed that the first 4 came about every year from 1997-2000 and that the 5th one came out a few years later. Does that show in the final product, in terms of the story/consistency/tone? For example, the fourth book starts out very dark in the first chapter with the dream sequence and in my opinion, that tone never comes back until the end. It gets all funny and cute with the Dursleys and the elves, etc. Please don't spoil anything that happens in the story when answering this, if possible.

I also just finished watching the first movie and I really didn't like that I was pretty much watching the exact same thing I read, with barely any differences. Are the rest of the movies like this as well? Again, please no spoilers.

The story stay consistent. I was not aware that she waited 3 yrs between books 4 and 5.

As far as the tone, it remains dark throughout the rest of the series. If you have read book 4, then you are aware that Voldemort returned and began killing again. Having said that the remaining books are excellent in my opinion. No letdown at all.


But I would refrain from asking people questions about HP books I havent read. Some folks just love to ruin it for others with spoilers.

The movies I saw dont come close to the books. I quit watching the movies at book 2 or 3, and while I snuck a peak at the ending of the Deathly Hallows movie when it came on TV, it was slightly altered from the book and didnt have near the impact of the book.

The books 5-7 throw some good surprises out there. Nothing routine and formulaic , or resting on past success about them.

[nightlysparrow]

J.K.Rowling had a very heavy hand in the movies made from her books, one reason they vary little from the texts. Steve Kloves wrote the screenplays for 7 of the 8 movies.

"I took my cues from Jo,” Mr. Kloves said, speaking of Ms. Rowling. “The first day I met her, she said: ‘I know the movies can’t be the books. All that I ask is that you be true to the characters.’ And I believe I’ve fulfilled that request.”

Harry Potter, J. K. Rowling and Steve Kloves - The New York Times