The Harry Potter movies

Dionysus

Dionysus

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I'm late to the game here but my young kids have just recently become interested in the Harry Potter movies, so we started watching them in the order of release and, damn, I like 'em.

Good characters, beautiful sets and cinematography, fairly predictable but fun plot developments. Just saw the fourth one last night, Goblet of Fire. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

And I don't care what my son says, I am not scared of Voldemort. Dobby the House Elf freaks me just a little, though.
 
My wife likes them. I watched the last two that have been on TV and was surprised at how entertaining I found them. They're a lot more dark then I was expecting too.
 
If you liked the first four, you will like the rest. The newest one, still in the theatres, is great.
 
"Goblet of Fire" was my favorite book. Haven't seen all the movies, but of the ones I've seen, it looks like the actors are getting better as they go.
 
I love the development of an alternate world, and I think that they invested a lot in bringing that world to life. However, the series really falls apart when you approach it from a practical perspective. You have got to avoid asking the obvious, "But why don't they just _____?" questions. I enjoyed reading the books and watching the movies, but the suspension of disbelief takes a ton of effort for me.
 
The last few actually get far more "scary" if you can call it that. From run kiddo books, to reasonably dark and more adult as the story goes.
 
The more screen time for Alan Rickman, the better.

alan_rickman.jpg
 
I was messing with my buddy one night about his little Hairy Potter references a couple of years ago. He bought me the collection of movies at the time, I think it is the first 5 movies. I let them sit there for like 6 months. I put the first one in, not impressed. The second a little better and by the time I finished the 3rd I was hooked. Watched 4 and 5 then went and bought 6. I have been watching them over and over for a little over a year now. I even went and saw the latest in the theatre. Secretly, I am a 40 something that is hooked on Potter.

I have noticed quite a few similar story lines to the Star Wars collection, maybe it is just me.
 
Agreed 110% about Alan Rickman! I am continually surprised by his roles. He is awesome, but I do think that many of the adult roles in the HP series have been good. Emma Thompson as Trelawney is delightfully loopy!

Read articles and interviews with JK Rowling and the books and movies are even more enjoyable. The amount of research and planning she put into her characters and stories is phenomenal. I remember reading one several years ago about the "genetics of magic". She includes historical elements in her books (Inquisition, McCarthy trials for example) and has patterned some characters after historical figures. (Cornelius Fudge is one IIRC, patterned after Neville Chamberlain.) Bezoars even really exist! Wherever would you hear about them, and then remember that to include in your book.

Read the books!!! The HP series is way better than that other one about vampires and werewolves.
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The best part of the books, is that the twins have much more page time, and they are a freaking riot.
 
I've only seen the first one so far. It wasn't very good. I'm not sure if I want to sit through 7 more hoping they get better.
 
They get better. If you haven't read the books, the thing to understand is, the maturity of the books(and the movies) grows with the characters. I mean, its all fantasy, and never gets to LOtR seriousness, but you do go from a kids movie to people dying and violence and all.
 
The immaturity of it wasn't what bothered me, I was expecting it to be a kids movie in a lot of ways. It just didn't seem like a very well-thought-out story nor an engaging movie. Lots of cliches, plotholes, very predictable, poorly-done sequences, etc. I'm not sure whether to blame the books or the film though.
 
the first movie is really only good for character introductions. the story isn't that great, but neccessary for exposition purposes. the second is about the same. it only serves as exposition for the rest.

Book 3/azkaban is where this series REALLY takes off. the plot is incredible and the twist near the end of the movie/book is amazing. Everything 3 and after is awesome. The 6th book is a little short on action, and focuses more on backstory and history, but then 7 really kicks it off again. The pacing in the 7th movie (part 1), drags but that's how it goes in the book. Movie 8, or Book 7, part II is going to scream action. I think the final battle is an entire hour-hour and half of the last movie.

So ... don't let movie 1 and 2 put you off, this series really takes off at movie 3.
 
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