So I was looking around my local Best Buy a few weeks ago, and I came across a full blu-ray box set of the Harry Potter films, so I decided to buy them as I realized I had forgotten a lot of what had happened. I had read the books in middle school and had watched the last few films in theaters, so of course I remember the general story, but I really wanted to fill in the gaps and see if this legendary series really holds up today. Overall, I would say it does so pretty well, considering the eight films were made by four different directors! My mini-reviews of each:
- Sorcerer's Stone: 7.5/10. The one that started it all. For my personal rating, a 7/10 is "good," so HP 1 is definitely a solid movie in my opinion. It sets up the world and the magic well, the plotline is intriguing, and the soundtrack and visuals are quite good for a 2001 movie. Obviously as the most kid-friendly film there were a lot of cheesy moments, overly simplistic characters, and slightly below-average acting, but overall, a very fun film.
- Chamber of Secrets: 7.5/10. This one feels pretty similar to the last one, which makes sense since the same person Chris Columbus directed them. Same flaws as the last one as well I'd say, but I do love the additions like Kenneth Branagh's wickedly charismatic performance as Gilderoy Lockhart. I really wish he wasn't obliviated so he could have appeared as maybe an ally in the later films but oh well.
- Prisoner of Azkaban: 8/10. Ah yes, the one that many seem to consider the best. I will say, Alfonso Cuarón's only outing in the series is an improvement over the last one, with more mature and well-developed plotlines and characters. But I would personally not consider it the best: I don't remember the books too well, but I do remember really liking the relationship between the Marauders (James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter), and I thought the way the film glossed over that made for a little bit of a jumbled third act. Also it does feel like the Harry/Sirius relationship is a little forced in this film, though I think it's done better in Order of the Phoenix.
- Goblet of Fire: 8.5/10. This one's an interesting one. I think Goblet definitely has quite a few flaws, with the whole film just feeling weirdly-paced and Michael Gambon's Dumbeldore becoming weirdly angry at Harry (Gambon is great the rest of the time, however). I think what really redeems the film in my eyes is the third act, beginning with the Barty Crouch revelation scene and all the way through the graveyard and Voldemort's resurrection. The climax is just brilliantly done, with the resurrection now being one of my favorite moments in the series (Ralph Fiennes is amazing as Voldemort). The best thing about Goblet is how well it shows Harry's loss of innocence with the death of Cedric and the clear signs that the stakes were now real.
- Order of the Phoenix: 8.5/10. David Yates's first outing is just really solid. I love the stuff with Dumbeldore's Army showing Harry in a real leadership position, and Imelda Staunton is excellently evil as Dolores Umbridge (Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix and Evanna Lynch as Luna are amazing as well). I also found the political stuff with Minister Fudge pretty interesting. What brings this one down for me is the third act (the opposite of Goblet!). The actual fights between the Death Eaters and Voldemort vs. Dumbeldore is cool, but the whole thing with Harry fending off Voldemort with love felt pretty cheesy and a little out-of-place in the darker tone of the later films. I know the whole theme of the series is love but I just thought later films handled it better. Also I really disliked how there was no funeral or any sort of closure for Sirius. The final scene also feels pretty awkward, with the trio just walking to the Hogwarts train as if nothing's happened.
- Half-Blood Prince: 8/10. While a step down from the last one, I still really liked it. I just thought the romance stuff really dragged down the film, like the bitch who falls in love with Ron only to be cast out of the film in like half an hour (Lavender?). The Harry/Ginny relationship also feels really weird, like Harry was so into Cho in the last film and now he's completely enamored by Ginny who he'd never shown attraction to before? Just a little strange. I do love how this film makes Draco a real character and not just a walking stereotype though, and Dumbeldore is just excellent in this film (the scene where he forces Harry to feed him the Horcrux is just heart-breaking). His death definitely hit me the hardest out of all the HP deaths. Also Slughorn is hilarious.
- Deathly Hallows part 1: 8/10. Another peculiar one. A lot of people seem to put this film at the bottom of the HP rankings because the story is unfinished, but I think when you look at it with its own merits it really is pretty damn good. Of course this one has a very different atmosphere from the other films, putting the trio out around England rather than in Hogwarts, but I think that's this film's strength. The acting from the main trio is at its best here, and I especially love the scenes with Harry and Hermione that really show how far they've come from their days as lowly muggles. Also Dobby's death is the second-most sad death for me.
- Deathly Hallows part 2: 9/10. The final chapter. My god this one was amazing. Honestly this one might even deserve a 9.5 but I'll keep my ratings more tempered. Although this one does feel really rushed at the beginning, that rush is worth it as it gets right into the action. The visual effects, cinematography, soundtrack, everything is at its best here. Awesome scenes like Harry standing up to Snape, the Snape memory sequence, Neville's speech, and of course the epilogue which just ties everything together so perfectly. Just a joy to watch and experience the magic of this universe again.
In summary, these films are great and you should definitely watch them if you haven't already! They really brought me back to middle school and just experiencing the magic and wonder of this world again was a treat.
Submitted February 10, 2019 at 08:46AM by shivj80 http://bit.ly/2Gi6EiT
