The atmosphere in the theater imdiately heated up. They could say that they watched this great building rise online with their own eyes. Many critics referred to it as the "Milan Cathedral in film history." Now, seeing this building on the big screen, they found it hard to suppress their excitent.
Because this Gothic Castle looked even more magnificent in the lens: symtrical and lavishly decorated. Almost all the materials shimred with a faint magical brilliance, forming a stark contrast with the ordinary buildings in the background of Massachusetts, instantly pulling people into a fantastical atmosphere.
As the students' little boats slowly approached the castle, the sense of anticipation reached its peak. And the mont the Great Hall appeared, there was another wave of exclamations mixed with screams—no one was disappointed by the atmosphere here. This was the magical world they wanted to see!
In fact, the actors hadn't been involved in any post-production work after wrapping up shooting, so they hadn't seen any of the rushes. When the scenes inside the Great Hall appeared, the actors also let out small exclamations of surprise.
One must admit, the cara is a magical thing: it can make small things appear large, and large things seem grand. The original setting was already very beautiful, but under the lens, it revealed a more fantastical and beautiful atmosphere.
Moreover, everything seed more lifelike, like there truly was a group of magicians living in this ancient college for thousands of years. The sense of imrsion was complete.
When the professors appeared, it caused a series of exclamations: the beautiful and intellectual Wanda, the kind and gentle Ancient One, the enigmatic Shiller, and the old acquaintance, the Hippo Goddess. Each one showcased unique traits, and everyone's entrance was very stylish. The kids in the theater kept screaming, forgetting even to eat their ice cream.
When it ca to the sorting segnt, everyone began a heated discussion. They were very curious about the differences between the four houses and which one they would be sorted into. Seeing the protagonist trio sorted into different houses, there was a sense of regret.
Then ca the main event. As the headmaster, Strange stood up, ready to give them advice and introduce the professors.
The first few introductions went smoothly. However, the instant the cara focused on Shiller, the initially lively atmosphere plumted to freezing point.
Peter choked on his cola, Steve's movents chewing popcorn froze, Stark nearly choked on a cheese ball. Natasha slid down her seat. The entire row of Avengers mbers was taken aback.
Once they gathered themselves, they all turned their heads to Strange. Their expressions clearly said: "Is this what you ant by Shiller making a cao as an insignificant character?!"
This didn't seem insignificant at all no matter how you looked at it!
The critics in the front row also voiced their doubts, not about Shiller's appearance, but about how intentionally his character seed to be crafted. It looked like he had "I'm the villain" written on his face, providing no surprise at all.
Then, when Shiller spoke, it beca even more chilling. Chris had post-processed his voice, making it deeper and hoarser, combined with a slow yet threatening tone. The film hadn't even reached a third, and who the real antagonist was seed glaringly obvious.
But soon, so smarter critics realized: Chris Columbus surely had more up his sleeve. This might be a red herring, a blind eye technique he deliberately created to obscure attention.
However, judging by the children's reactions beside them, it was clear that his strategy was very successful. As this was a children's movie aid mainly at children and teens, most of the audience neither professional nor older, they were easily deceived by such narrative tricks.
Many critics began asking their children, and the unanimous answer was, "Doctor Barton is definitely the bad guy."
Actually, Shiller himself was a bit surprised. Apart from seeing the audition footage, nobody knew what the other movie segnts would look like. Chris obviously added too much artistic creativity to his part. He knew he was sowhat intimidating, but hadn't expected to appear so scary on cara.
Luckily, Wanda's two children weren't frightened to tears, otherwise, no one in New York would sleep tonight.
"Are you serious?" Stark asked Strange, "You told Shiller would make a cao, but are you sure it's Shiller making the cao?"
"The key issue now is that he's no longer just making a cao," Strange said, "He's beco an important supporting character, almost second only to the protagonists. Unless sothing unexpected happens, you should see him in several upcoming movies."
"I feel it's not that simple," Natasha said, "If he really is the villain, the director would definitely have made him appear gentle initially. Then, the final reveal would have a reversal effect. And if he's being so nacing from the start—forgive for using this word, but I really can't find a better one—it ans he's surely not the villain."
"It really is quite vicious," Stark said, "Why do I feel like this isn't that Hydra? Who is he really?"
"Don't look at , I can't figure it out either," Strange shrugged and said, "Maybe I could ask the director. He seems to have so research on this."
Natasha suddenly burst into laughter. As soone who had truly visited the Abyss, she could already imagine the scene on the film set. She said, "Too bad I can't do magic; otherwise, I'd cao too. That way, I could see you all jumping about when Shiller's other personality traits co out."
"You're not wrong," Strange pouted, "Chris is all about his great artistic dreams, totally ignoring whether we actors live or die. He even added a scene where Shiller cos to the principal's office looking for . I an, you see this Shiller, and I'm in the sa room with him, and I must stand within that narrow cara fra, face-to-face with him. Chris kept urging to step forward, step forward. He himself hid far away!"
Natasha laughed so hard she hit the back of the chair in front of her. Then she heard Peter say, "Good thing I no longer have Spider-sense, or I probably wouldn't hear a thing after this. I'm still wondering how those attacked students are doing."
Then followed a segnt of regular campus life. Accompanying the main plot of investigating student attacks, it mainly showcased the protagonists' school life, including attending classes, doing howork, and participating in school activities. The plot entered a calm and soothing stage.
This stage of the plot leans more towards a youth campus drama, showcasing the students' vitality, and also informing the audience about the basic operations of magic, giving them an understanding of the fundantal worldview.
The film did not choose to hide the essence of magic being transactional, and even emphasized the various precautions of contracts. Senior students also ca to show them the magic they could perform after obtaining powers.
However, the film indeed beautified the cosmic sorcerers a bit. They explained the sorcerers as concepts and rules within the cosmos, weakening their humanity, and explained as so sort of natural existence. This makes it much more acceptable to the audience.
However, they also ntioned that many personality gods exist in the universe. These gods are powerful and dangerous, with phisto, the king of hell, being one of the best among them. This is laying the groundwork for the plots of the next few films.
Then the plot reached a small climax. The protagonist group discovered traces of a vampire and chased them into the Forest but got injured. The gravely injured female protagonist ended up in the school infirmary. They didn't want to cause trouble, so they asked the school doctor, who treated them, for help in keeping it a secret.
Shiller appeared again, still incredibly intense, even more so than during the audition scenes. Because during the audition, it was Greed, but during filming, it was Morbid. It's safe to say the three little wizards looked genuinely fearful rather than acting.
This really got everyone's appetite whetted. The protagonist group finally had so clues but ended up injured in the school infirmary, and of all things, ran into this troubleso school doctor. It really seed like their luck had run out.
Sure enough, the school doctor's attitude was not good, and even before the protagonists' injuries were healed, he kicked them out. Many kids were angry, but the parents seed sowhat helpless.
From an adult's perspective, the protagonist group seed sowhat reckless. They dared to chase dangerous creatures into the Forest, getting injured was the least of it. If they helped cover it up and let them continue this suicidal behavior, they might end up losing their lives.
But the parents also didn't understand why Shiller's portrayal of Doctor Barton kicked them out before they were fully healed. Reporting is one thing, but at least the injuries should've been treated, don't you think?
Then the plot pace quickened. The protagonist group quickly found clues, but all the clues pointed to one person, the school doctor played by Shiller.
For example, the professors all have very strict class schedules, with almost airtight alibis, but the school doctor has no schedule. And often disappears for an entire afternoon. Also, he has a pale face, a thin figure. The color of his eyes is too peculiar, it looks like it's conjured by magic, as if trying to conceal sothing. Additionally, he hails from the not-so-reputable rcury College. People from the sa cohort of this college have caused a lot of trouble for the protagonist group, making them more convinced that those from this college are despicable and crafty black magicians.
Piece by piece, the evidence and the protagonists' discussions were presented to the audience. Even relatively rational adults began to waver, let alone the kids. They were almost boiling with anger, waving their fists, eager to see how the protagonists would defeat this damn vampire.
Stark supported his cheek with his fingers and said, "I have a feeling things aren't so simple..."
"An excuse for personal favoritism?"
"Of course not. It's more like I understand if the director cast him in a villain role that could get him attacked by the entire internet, he might assassinate the director before filming starts. Or find a 500-year-long illegal job for him in so Centaurus star system, preventing him from returning to Earth until the human film industry reaches the next stage."
No one else could say a word in response.
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