The past few weeks I've been refreshing myself on the Harry Potter series, watching each DVD 1-7, in order to prepare for the newest and final release of the Deathly Hallows Part 2. At first I was very opposed to the idea of releasing the final story in two parts. It seemed like a typical studio ploy to make more money. I refused to watch Part 1 in theaters, and can say that after watching it on DVD, I made the right decision. However after seeing Part 2 in theaters, it became clear to me, why they decided to divide this finale into two films; to end it all with a bang! This final film is without question the best of all the films, an adrenaline rush, and the utmost culmination of the Harry Potter series.
Over the past ten years it has been quite amazing to watch JK Rowling's phenomenal universe come to life on the big screen. Dating back to 2001 the Harry Potter films have stayed true to the books, bringing in massive box office numbers and establishing a cultural legacy. What especially amazes me about the film series, is how they managed to bring every actor back to reprise their roles for 8 films and 10 years, minus Richard Harris' Dumbledore of course. There has never been anything quite like this, and it may not have succeeded, had the film production, cast, and crew done such a phenomenal job.
As much as I would like to dive into the Harry Potter universe, and write an in-depth analysis of each character, I will save that for another time. In this entry I merely want to focus on the film productions over the past 10 years, and give credit where credit is due.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Year: November 2001
Director: Chris Columbus
Music: John Williams
Notable Performances:
Awards: Nominated for Best Original Score, Art Direction, and Costume Design
Review: I began reading the books my sophomore year in High School, and finished the first four, by the time this one was being released. I remember it being an extremely exciting time to finally see this universe of which I had only known about in a book and in my mind, be brought to life on the big screen. I went with my family, and was very pleased with the production. It stayed true to the book, and kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Year: November 2002
Director: Chris Columbus
Music: John Williams
Notable Performances:
Review: This film maintained a very similar style as the first one; same director, same actors, same composer, and very true to the books. It was once again an incredible visual roller coaster, with amazing special effects, drama, and action. The final battle against the Basilisk, was especially exciting. Director Chris Columbus did a great job at introducing the Harry Potter universe in a feel-good, family-friendly style which was probably Rowling's general vision. After these two films however, the story begins to take a much more darker and complex turn.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Year: May 2004
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Music: John Williams
Notable Performances:
Awards: Nominated for Original Music Score and Visual Effects
Review: This film took a different turn than the previous two, with a new director, and entirely new style. Alfonso Cuaron brought a darker allure to this third installment, with a much more mature story and characters. Michael Gambon became the new Albus Dumbledore, following the death of Richard Harris. Once again the special effects and music were exhilirating, yet the direction was especially impressive. In the final 20 minutes, Cuaron established an incredible time loop, to demonstrate Hermonie's time-turner.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Year: November 2005
Director: Mike Newell
Music: John Doyel
Notable Performances:
Awards: Nominated for Best Art Direction
Review: This remains my favorite of the 7 books, and was my favorite film, until this new one just came out. The film exceeded my high expectations, with new direction, new music, and a sensational production. The Tri-Wizard tournament was especially glorified while the Yule Ball brought it a sense of real-life teenage love. Ralph Fiennes also emerged as the terrifying villain, Voldermort, to make for a very powerful conclusion at the end.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Year: July 2007
Director: David Yates
Music: Nicholas Hopper
Notable Performances:
Review: I remember I had just graduated from college when this film came out, and I believe I went to see it with K-man. I especially enjoyed the music, the introduction of Luna Lovegood's character, and the rebellion of Dumbledore's army. Imelda Staunton did an exceptional job as the obnoxious Professor Umbridge, and Helena Bonham Carter made for the perfect witch in Belatrix Lestrange. The final battle between Dumbledore and Voldermort was exactly what you would expect from the two most powerful wizards, extremely epic.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Year: July 2009
Director: David Yates
Music: Nicholas Hopper
Notable Performances:
Awards: Nominated for Best Cinematography
Review: I remember this book was one of my least favorite in the series, consisting mostly of back-story. I saw it that summer with my brother Gabriel. The film remained true to the story, growing darker, and diving deeper into the backgrounds of several characters such as Dumbledore, Severaus Snape, and especially Tom Riddle. Romance was also a central theme between Ron and Hermonine, as well as Harry and Ginny. The conclusion was once again the peak of the film, where Dumbledore displayed his awesome power, all before his terrible demise.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Year: November 2010
Director: David Yates
Music: Alexandre Desplat
Notable Performances:
Awards: Nominated for Best Visual Effects and Best Art Direction
Review: I decided to boycott this film last fall, and wait for it to arrive on DVD. It was the only one of the 8, that I did not see in theaters. I've seen it twice now, and can say it is my least favorite. The film is extremely dry and boring, perhaps preparing for a blitz of action to come in the next film. Harry, Ron, and Hermonine venture on a quest to find Voldermort's Horcruxes, and discover the mystery of the Deathly Hallows. The best part in my opinion was the animation of The Deathly Hallows.
Over the past ten years it has been quite amazing to watch JK Rowling's phenomenal universe come to life on the big screen. Dating back to 2001 the Harry Potter films have stayed true to the books, bringing in massive box office numbers and establishing a cultural legacy. What especially amazes me about the film series, is how they managed to bring every actor back to reprise their roles for 8 films and 10 years, minus Richard Harris' Dumbledore of course. There has never been anything quite like this, and it may not have succeeded, had the film production, cast, and crew done such a phenomenal job.
As much as I would like to dive into the Harry Potter universe, and write an in-depth analysis of each character, I will save that for another time. In this entry I merely want to focus on the film productions over the past 10 years, and give credit where credit is due.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Year: November 2001
Director: Chris Columbus
Music: John Williams
Notable Performances:
- Danielle Radcliffe as Harry Potter
- Emma Watson as Hermione Granger
- Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley
- Robbie Coltrane as Rubis Hagrid
- Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore
- Alan Rickman as Severus Snape
- Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall
Awards: Nominated for Best Original Score, Art Direction, and Costume Design
Review: I began reading the books my sophomore year in High School, and finished the first four, by the time this one was being released. I remember it being an extremely exciting time to finally see this universe of which I had only known about in a book and in my mind, be brought to life on the big screen. I went with my family, and was very pleased with the production. It stayed true to the book, and kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Year: November 2002
Director: Chris Columbus
Music: John Williams
Notable Performances:
- Kenneth Branagh as Gilderoy Lockhart
- Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy
- Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy
- Shirley Henderson as Moaning Myrtle
Review: This film maintained a very similar style as the first one; same director, same actors, same composer, and very true to the books. It was once again an incredible visual roller coaster, with amazing special effects, drama, and action. The final battle against the Basilisk, was especially exciting. Director Chris Columbus did a great job at introducing the Harry Potter universe in a feel-good, family-friendly style which was probably Rowling's general vision. After these two films however, the story begins to take a much more darker and complex turn.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Year: May 2004
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Music: John Williams
Notable Performances:
- Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore
- Gary Oldman as Sirius Black
- Alan Rickman as Severus Snape
- David Thewlis as Remus Lupin
- Timothy Spall as Peter Pettigrew
- Emma Thompson as Sybill Trelawney
Awards: Nominated for Original Music Score and Visual Effects
Review: This film took a different turn than the previous two, with a new director, and entirely new style. Alfonso Cuaron brought a darker allure to this third installment, with a much more mature story and characters. Michael Gambon became the new Albus Dumbledore, following the death of Richard Harris. Once again the special effects and music were exhilirating, yet the direction was especially impressive. In the final 20 minutes, Cuaron established an incredible time loop, to demonstrate Hermonie's time-turner.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Year: November 2005
Director: Mike Newell
Music: John Doyel
Notable Performances:
- Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort
- Brendan Gleeson as Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody
- Robert Pattison as Cedric Diggory
- Katie Leung as Cho Chang
- Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom
Awards: Nominated for Best Art Direction
Review: This remains my favorite of the 7 books, and was my favorite film, until this new one just came out. The film exceeded my high expectations, with new direction, new music, and a sensational production. The Tri-Wizard tournament was especially glorified while the Yule Ball brought it a sense of real-life teenage love. Ralph Fiennes also emerged as the terrifying villain, Voldermort, to make for a very powerful conclusion at the end.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Year: July 2007
Director: David Yates
Music: Nicholas Hopper
Notable Performances:
- Helena Bonham Carter as Belatrix Lastrange
- Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort
- Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore
- Gary Oldman as Sirius Black
- Imelda Staunton as Professor Dolores Umbridge
- Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood
Review: I remember I had just graduated from college when this film came out, and I believe I went to see it with K-man. I especially enjoyed the music, the introduction of Luna Lovegood's character, and the rebellion of Dumbledore's army. Imelda Staunton did an exceptional job as the obnoxious Professor Umbridge, and Helena Bonham Carter made for the perfect witch in Belatrix Lestrange. The final battle between Dumbledore and Voldermort was exactly what you would expect from the two most powerful wizards, extremely epic.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Year: July 2009
Director: David Yates
Music: Nicholas Hopper
Notable Performances:
- Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore
- Alan Rickman as Severus Snape
- Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasly
- Jim Broadbent as Horace Slughorn
- Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy
Awards: Nominated for Best Cinematography
Review: I remember this book was one of my least favorite in the series, consisting mostly of back-story. I saw it that summer with my brother Gabriel. The film remained true to the story, growing darker, and diving deeper into the backgrounds of several characters such as Dumbledore, Severaus Snape, and especially Tom Riddle. Romance was also a central theme between Ron and Hermonine, as well as Harry and Ginny. The conclusion was once again the peak of the film, where Dumbledore displayed his awesome power, all before his terrible demise.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Year: November 2010
Director: David Yates
Music: Alexandre Desplat
Notable Performances:
- Danielle Radcliffe as Harry Potter
- Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley
- Emma Watson as Hermione Granger
- Bill Nighy as Rufus Scrimgeour
- Rhys Ifans as Xenophilius Lovegood
- Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lastrange
Awards: Nominated for Best Visual Effects and Best Art Direction
Review: I decided to boycott this film last fall, and wait for it to arrive on DVD. It was the only one of the 8, that I did not see in theaters. I've seen it twice now, and can say it is my least favorite. The film is extremely dry and boring, perhaps preparing for a blitz of action to come in the next film. Harry, Ron, and Hermonine venture on a quest to find Voldermort's Horcruxes, and discover the mystery of the Deathly Hallows. The best part in my opinion was the animation of The Deathly Hallows.
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