HARRY POTTER FILM SERIES REVIEW PART 1
A look at Harry Potter:
Okay let me just state that I have never read any of the books. So I'm sure they are better. But I have seen All the films and for each one I'm going to give my view of what I think about each and everyone.
Philosophers Stone:
At first I was never a fan of the character. To me they were just childrens books. also the time this film came out The Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring came out. But I did watch both films when they came out. So here is what I thought of the first film but I'll start off by saying the one thing that really turned me off was the child actors. Yes they are all kids it's a school. It's not the actors fault or anything. Just times when I was watching it I felt at times it was a little TOO targeted towards kids. But they were better then most kid actors at the time.
Now his is what kept me from walking out of the theater. Alan Rickman. I love him and his acting. He is by far the best. Just looking at him as this sinister dark figure who you can just assume is just about ready to unleash some hell. The ways he presents repulsion over Potter is excellent. Even when he says "Potter" it alsomst seems as if Snape is trying so hard not to shout out a curse word at Harry just to keep a professional mannerism. It reminds me of one of my old school professors. But none of them were as cool as Snape. You just wanted to see Harry duel with Snape to the fullest. But (Spoiler) it turns out to be the complete opposite. Snape was not the bad guys of this film. That goes to the second reason I liked this film.
Voldemort.
Not have read the books I just got to say this he has got to be one of the greatest villains of all time. In the film the build up to him was just worked out so perfectly. Even when you did see him you didn't even get much. Just him covered in a black cloak. Just total darkness. Even his name brings terror to everyone. That is a true bad guy. And I got to say when I saw him attached to that guys head I thought that was great. The fact that he was limited to just being a face and forced to live on this lowly subject to do his bidding. It still lead to imagination to what he actually looked like. Plus after the form in this film, it would be great to see what he would look like in the next one.
Another thing I like about this film is the story. It is more then just the simple good vs evil it is a pretty well told origin story. Harry slowly evolves as a character and learns a lot. Rather then just jumping into things. Also I really like the detective like style of the story. Solving the Mystery of the Stone and were it is and all the theories of is Voldemort was dead or not, if Snape was good or evil, reason why the troll got in. I like it. It kept me guessing.
Also it was cool to have John Cleese nearly headless. It made me wish that Terry Gilliam did direct this but I'll give Chris Columbus credit.
Final Verdict.
It is a good kids film but also a fine film in general.
The Chamber of Secrets
To me this is my least favorite of the films. This will be a short review.
What I did like about this one is that is that the second film was taking a more sinister role. The fact that characters were getting taken out to the point where they could be considered dead. Some of them kids including Hermione. Another thing that I liked about was the basklisk and the giant spiders. And once again is does a good job with making it sort of like a detective story trying to figure out what monster was doing these attacks. Another thing I liked was the return of Voldemort in a new form as his younger human form at first seeming like aid to Harry but then revealing himself . This was done pretty good.
The other things I liked about this film was the whole Weasley family. I love these characters. they just come off as a regular loving family. Yeah they have their problems and maybe not the richest or most powerful but they have a lot of heart and have a lot of wit even during the dark times. They are a good example of what families should be for better or worst.
And then there is Draco. I didn't like in the first film. Yeah he is the bully you arn't suppose to like him. But I felt he really changed in the second film. Here we see him more as a prick who is rich and just flaunts it at every degree just to get under Harry's skin. But also showing that he might even have a backbone to go as far as physically hurting Harry. But for those who are really familiar with this character know how he really is.
That is about it. Still good but still I felt like more could of happened. Also I couldnt stand the ghost girl.
The Prisoner of Azkaban
This is the film that actually got me more into the series and that part is due to the addition of certain characters. So I'll start by GARY OLDMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes I am a huge Gary Oldman fan. I love his acting, him films, he just is perfect at what he does. A person once said to me Gary is not an actor, he is a piece of clay, he does not act the character he transforms into the character. Which I think is pretty well said. And when I heard he was going to play an escaped insane serial killer wizard I jumped right in.
What is great about it is he is not even in it that long. He is mentioned a lot just like the build up to Voldemort. It just kept on making think of what the final result would be when he does become revealed. And then we get the twist. (spoilers) He was framed. He was a good guy. This was also great for me as a Gary fan because Gary is so well know for playing bad guys. It was almost refreshing to see him take this new turn of character.
Also I really like the character of Lupin. He just reminded me of one of my professors back in college. A guy that loved teaching and that also had sort of a family like bond to the main character. Also it didn't hurt that we was a werewolf. :)
Also I really liked the nods to the various signs that Voldemort would be coming back threw the psychic medias. Once again his presence is still around.
So this was a really excellent film even with the time traveling flaw. YOU FANS KNOW WHAT I MEAN.
Also this would be the last Happy Harry film.
Now the first threw Harry films I see as Playground of Power trilogy. They are kids learning magic and having adventures. And as we know playgrounds in some degree are safe for kids. But then kids grow up. They steer away from the playground and go to the hard concrete. But Goblet of Fire I don't see and the start of the new trilogy. I see at the prequel to the new trilogy.
Goblet of Fire.
I would have to say this is my second favorite Potter film of the series. The story was just worked out so perfectly for 3 reasons which I believe made this film perfect.
THE CAST: I'll start with the new members of the cast.
Just perfect like I love the two other challengers of the Wizard games. The French gal and the Russian guy(Okay maybe he isn't Russian) Little is known about them other then they are tough and the best of what they do. It left more to the imagination of who they really were. You had the tough Russian guy who was fierce and almost evil looking but had a soft shot for Hermione. And the French gal who seemed like an ice queen but had a soft side for her little sister.
Also the reveal of the DEATH EATERS. These guys are wild. They are the hells angels of the wizard world. Nothing but total destruction. Which leads to David Tennat as one of them and this film made me a fan of Dave. I think he is great as and actor and has a misfit charisma that you just want to keep an eye on.
Then there Voldemort. This is the film where we see him finally in his full form. And when I found out that Ralph Finnes was going to play him, I got up and cheered in excitement. Like Gary Oldman, Ralph plays a bad guy so perfectly. He made this character sweat evil.
Also I like the way they made the kids of these films turn into teens. It showed that they were maturing but at the same time were showing that they had flaws as well. Also this the film where we see a full on death of friend of Harry which really brings him into a new world for not only himself but for the following films to come. Yeah the films will still show some scenes of fun but now with a death at Harry's hands and Voldemort back in action, things are really going to change for the three films to come.
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