'Harry Potter' opens to mixed response from fans

New Delhi, July 13 (IANS) "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" opened to a mixed response from the audience who could not accept the modification of facts of J.K. Rowling's book, although they liked the film's improved animation.

"This film has great animation. I loved it. But the movie could have been better. I have seen the previous Harry Potter movies more than once but I will not come to see this one again," said 15-year-old Rajesh Bhatt.

"There is an extent to which you can change facts from the original book. If someone has read the book, he will not be able to relate to some parts of the movie. I hated it. It felt like the director has made his own Harry Potter," said 21-year-old Andan Kidwai.

The latest Potter movie has broken all records in box office openings worldwide and is the fifth in the widely popular series. It shows Harry's friends doubting his ability to face the evil Lord Voldemort.

The first four Potter movies have generated around $3.5 billion for Warner Bros., the Hollywood studio that has produced and distributed the films.

Despite the mixed response, tickets are sold out for the weekend in most of the theatres.

"We are completely sold out from Friday evening to Monday morning," said Gautam Dutta, CEO of PVR Cinemedia. "There are a lot of bulk bookings and this is one film which all the families are coming to watch. It is not just attracting kids but appealing to audiences from 8 years to 35 years."

Harry Potter is a rage among children in the country with the books getting out of print before their release due to the large number of advance bookings.

Huge hype had been created in India ahead of the release of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". Leading newspapers are giving full-page coverage to Potter mania while multiplexes have put up special cut-outs resembling the Hogwarts School of Magic at theatre entrances.

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix