The Books till the sixth part were a treat, an enchanted journey to the world of magic, they involved us in every bit of the books but do the movies provide just an experience? Do they only appeal to the one's who've read the book? Or can the actors drag their fans to the theater irrespective of book readers? Lets find out...
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ronald Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort), Michael Gambon & Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore), Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid) & there are many more
Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone
Rating: ****
Released in: 2001
Director: Chris Columbus
This is probably the closest one can get to make such a special book into a successful movie! The movie completely follows the book (alterations have obviously been made) but still never bores you. I loved it as a child & I still liked the movie 8 years later when I read the book. The kids in this movie, can't deny look younger than 11 years old but yet i have to appreciate the casting. It was very appropriate. The movie also gives the young kids an experience, they'll want to re-watch many times.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Rating: *** 1/2
Released in: 2002
Director: Chris Columbus
Harry Potter is due for his second year in Hogwarts, for those of you who loved the first part will also like this one, however, as a kid I never really liked a few creatures of this movie, Aragog, Dobby & the Basilisk were to creepy for me, but thats my personal opinion, you may like them as many others did. The climax is one great treet, yet it leaves a few parts untethered and still leaves room for improvement.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban
Rating: ****
Released in: 2004
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
This is the best movie in the whole series, The director was replaced but thankfully the charm wasn't. The twists and turns, the slightly scary climax, the unfolding of the story & finally the effect it shares with the book makes the movie "enchanted" for me. Nothing goes wrong here, the new Dumbledore (Michael Gambon plays the role, after Mr. Richard Harris died in 2002) whose face itself shows the power he possesses and finally the casting of Sirius Black which is again so accurate. It comes as my personal favorite. Also acting by the supportive cast is one good treat to mention, Oliver and James Phelps bring the character of Fred and George alive, no one else would do better than them also a special mention to the dementors, they've too done justification to their roles.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Rating: **
Director: Mike Newell
Worst after the best. This movie doesn't follow the book well, there are alterations and additions everywhere. The director conveniently removes minor and majors chunks of the book to add his own. The first half is good & visually appealing, though no there was no importance given to the book's facts. For instance they show the students studying in great hall, or a boy (an owl is the mode of delivery) delivers a parcel or all the students from all the classes assemble in Professor McGonigal's classroom! These things won't pinch to the one's who haven't read the book but The climax is the wackiest of the lot, the director hopes you understand the misterious death of Barty Crouch, you also are supposed to be believe that a person rises from the death bed! Apparently, there was one scene where the director shows Barty junior conjuring the dark mark, harry could have told dumbledore 'bout that but he didn't, the director thinks it was as though completely trivial to know how a supposedly dead man could be alive! Still, This movie works for those who want entertainment & don't mind seeing anything even though it has got loopholes (manholes here) after every almost 15 minutes or so. The parts of the triwizard tournament are entertaining and also where you really tend to ignore the mistakes.
P.S. The movie keeps on appearing every month on HBO, I really don't know why they don't show better Potter films for a change!
Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix
Rating: *** 1/2
Director: David Yates
Many regard this movie as the worst of the Potter films till now, I disagree. Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix is a safe movie with a bit of humor (added in places by Oliver and James Phelps), and keeps the key things in tact. If only the movie fails, is because of too many things happening in one time. The movie cannot be blamed for its slowness because if you've read the book, you'll understand the book itself was a bit boring, yet you don't feel the pinch. It has a well written climax, a powerful battle between Dumbledore 'n Voldemort is also a treat to watch but here the director doesn't focus much on the prophecy part of the book (in the end) where as it was a very important one!
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Rating: ***
Director: David Yates
It follows the Goblet of Fire Path. The screenplay (Steve Kloves returns here) is altered badly. Figures of Speech have been changed completely the thing which could have been included in a breath taking climax as a suspense, is given knowledge about from the beginning. The facts were never so irrelevant in a Potter movie.I would give casting a special mention the director casts Jim Broadbent for Slughorn which isn't really very real to the actual Slughorn. Still it gets its numbers for the fact that when I had watched the movie I was yet to read the 6th part but still it had appealed to me visually. It looked pretty entertaining and the Climax was one of the best. The cave part was seriously done well, though they showed inferi as dangerous (the're innocent dead bodies) but doesn't really matter as you still remain at entertainments receiving side. Anyway, its just much better than Goblet Of Fire at least you aren't left unanswered this time.
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The Reviews done, so the whole series all in all is good. I couldn't imagine the world of wizards that easily if I wasn't supplied with these movies. Every saga has its ups and downs but still I like every character and actor of this movie series. Though a Special mention to Dobby's Character who was shown in just one movie, he has a much bigger role 'n thus when he dies in the last part, you really miss him. On final thoughts, I must say read the books first.
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