Favorite Franchises: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Directed by: David Yates


Plot Summary: After breaking into Gringotts Bank and retrieving another Horcrux, Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The school of witchcraft and wizardry is not the school it used to be, with Professor Snape named the new headmaster and tons of Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters surrounding the school, constantly looking for Harry and his friends. In a final effort to defeat Voldemort, Harry rounds up the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore's Army, and the rest of the Hogwarts professors and students to fight the enemy forces and buy him more time so he can find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes.


After 7 movies and 10 years of filmmaking, the final installment of the Harry Potter saga had arrived with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. After reviewing these films for a month now, I'm come to the realization that these things haven't aged the greatest since ending a little over 4 years ago. Yet, I still get a lot of enjoyment out of them because I've been a fan since I was a child. This is THE nostalgic series for people from my generation. Just look at the fans out there, dedicated to getting tattoos and wearing their merchandise wherever they go. We've grown up with these films, so we can accept the flaws and value what works really well with the films. Like I said in my review of Deathly Hallows - Part 1, the story was flushed out in that film so we could have an action-heavy finale with Deathly Hallows - Part 2, and while I wish there was more dedication to the story from Part 1, there is still a ton of story that gets wrapped up in Part 2 thanks to the final moments of these wonderful characters we've grown up with. On top of that, we get one of the great final battle scenes in movie history with a war between good and evil wizards that lasts for nearly an hour. Let's get right to it and talk about these final moments of our favorite Harry Potter characters.

For the last time, Daniel Radcliffe plays the iconic wizard Harry Potter. This is the culmination of all of Harry's struggles, all his challenges, all his heartbreak, all his sacrifice. We finally get to see Harry come face to face with Lord Voldemort, played by Ralph Fiennes, This is the time where Harry really needs to be the Chosen One, the hero the wizarding world is depending on. He literally needs to lead an army in a war against the forces of evil. And he's 17-YEARS-OLD! That's quite the accomplishment for a wizard whose biggest challenge a few films ago was puberty. It's pretty much everything we're used to with Harry, except now it's the fight that REALLY matters. The stakes are the highest they'll ever be and we have to see Harry have the courage to do whatever it takes to bring it all to an end.

Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, played by Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, FINALLY have their big romantic moment, which fans of the books have been waiting on for years. Granted it comes up in a really strange way in the middle of a battle sequence, but it still had to be done. These two also share in a heroic moment by returning to the Chamber of Secrets to destroy a Horcrux, but don't really do much else afterwards. We see tons of other characters get heroic moments in the final battle, but the big payoff for Hermione and Ron is finally accepting that they love each other. I'm sure there's a bunch of people who love that mushy stuff, but something about it just doesn't make the same impact. If anything, I'd call it the weakest of the character subplots in the film, but that's just me.

The thing I love about Deathly Hallows - Part 2 is that we finally see 2 of the most unsung heroes of the franchise finally get their glorious moments. The first is Neville Longbottom, an unassuming, clumsy classmate of Harry's played by Matthew Lewis. For 7 films, this kid was kicked around and bullied by others, usually the butt of other peoples' jokes. In this film, Neville stands tall as a true hero and leads Dumbledore's Army in the war against Voldemort's forces. In the span of this battle, I truly believe the trio of heroes becomes a quartet thanks to Neville. Without giving much away, he actually has the guts to stand up to Lord Voldemort himself when Hogwarts looks defeated, and in that moment, proves that he is one of the bravest young wizards alive. While our three main heroes have had constant development over the 8 films, Neville is the character that has the strongest development from the first film to the last one, and it's easy to see why he is a constant favorite among fans.

There's one character I have been saving for the very end. One who has been a constant key player in Harry's life over the course of these 8 films. And the character that I would say is the greatest character in the entire Harry Potter series, Professor Severus Snape, played by Alan Rickman. To give some insight about what makes Snape so great is Rickman's dedication to the part. I refuse to spoil this, although shame on you if you haven't read the books or seen the movies or even heard about this plot twist yet, but I will say that Snape has been guarding a secret of his throughout the entire franchise that we don't know about until Deathly Hallows - Part 2. J.K. Rowling told Rickman the twist all the way back when they started filming Sorcerer's Stone and he told NO ONE. That's a secret that he kept to himself for the greater good of the character for 10 YEARS! Give that man a medal! No, give that man an OSCAR! The scene where his secret is revealed is one of the most emotional scenes in the franchise, if not the BEST scene in the entire franchise. When I read it in the book, I cried buckets. I then spent a year preparing myself for seeing it on the big screen and cried just as hard. It was beautiful and well worth the wait. It also creates a film moment that changes how you look at the previous 7 films forever, so thank you J.K. Rowling and Alan Rickman for bringing this amazing character's story to life both on page and screen.

The theme for the final film's DVD bonus features is the young child actors from Sorcerer's Stone growing up to who they are at the end of Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Not only are they great characters who all get their heroic moments, but the actors all prove to be great people throughout the 10 year journey of making the Harry Potter series. Never before was there a series held so close together to the point where we have the chance to see 5 or 6 main characters start off as children and naturally progress into adults. Even more enjoyable, for a fan like myself, is to be a young child (I was 8) at the start of this series and growing into an adult while these films were being made. I was 17, almost 18, when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 was released and was a month away from starting college. Even if I can bash a lot of the moments and decisions that are in these films, I'm still grateful that we have them. I grew up with them. I'm a fan of the books and the movies. They aren't perfect and 100% accurate, but they have an amazingly talented cast of iconic characters, spellbinding creatures and effects, whimsical music, and an epic story tying the themes of growing up with the constant struggle of good vs. evil. I don't know about you, but I'd call that a success. It's a filmmaking accomplishment that we may never see again in this lifetime (unless you count Boyhood, but even that was a tightly edited 3 hour film as opposed to an 8 film franchise), so I'm thankful that I was around to experience this one.


Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 is a great finale for all viewers who have invested their time and energy in loving the Harry Potter series. At the end of the day, the ultimate choice in enjoying these movies is whether or not you actually like the concept of Harry Potter. If you think it's going to be stupid and a waste of time, this isn't the series for you. But if you love the story and the characters from the books, then it's a no brainer that you should see the films and own them in your collections. For my money's worth, go for the Ultimate Edition DVDs, packed with tons of bonus features that any moviegoer can appreciate.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 and movie images are copyrighted by Warner Bros.

Favorite Franchises: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (2010)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Directed by: David Yates


Plot Summary: While attending the wedding of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour, Harry Potter flees the scene with his best friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley when the wedding is crashed by a group of Death Eaters. After they disapparate to London, their plan is to hunt down the rest of Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes and destroy them so he can be destroyed. Being on the lookout for any of Voldemort's despicable Snatchers in the woods, Harry and his friends must also be prepared for their internal struggles with each other, as tensions are at an all-time high when they have one of the Horcruxes in their possession. While on their journey, they discover a bunch of clues left to them by Professor Dumbledore through the items that were bestowed to them in his will, leading to them uncovering the truth about the legendary Deathly Hallows.


About 5 years ago, this would be the point where I would be trying to tackle the final installment of the epic Harry Potter franchise. However, when they announced the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, they revealed that it would be split into two parts, thus making it an 8 film series. What was thought to be an excellent way to show the full events of the books without having to worry about time constraints, should actually be looked at for what it truly is: a cash grab. Yes, fans of the books would have complained if some subplots and events from the book were left on the cutting room floor, but the filmmakers have had to deal with that for the previous six films, so why start now? Not to mention it started the trend of all major movie franchises splitting their final film into two parts. Yes, THIS film is responsible for The Hobbit being split from 2 movies into a trilogy (I'll tackle that trainwreck someday), as well as the constant amount of YA novel adaptations like Twilight and The Hunger Games having an extra film added to their series. Book fans may enjoy this, but as a moviegoer I can't help but see how cheap this is for the studios to milk their source material for all its worth. And even worse, it creates the same problem that splitting Kill Bill into two parts created: having to judge the movies on their own. Because of that we have the film with all the story and the film with all the action. And where you stand as a moviegoer usually is the deciding factor on which part you like more. For me, I'm a bigger fan of story over action, so I actually prefer Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1.

Daniel Radcliffe returns to the role of Harry Potter for the first part of his final adventure. At this point, Harry is at the end of his development so there isn't a lot to talk about. But I do want to give Radcliffe some praise in his performances used to create the Seven Harry Potters. The special effects to transform Fred and George Weasley, Fleur Delacour, Mundungus Fletcher, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger into identical copies of Harry was certainly part of the magic, but it wouldn't have worked if Radcliffe hadn't studied the postures and mannerisms of each of the actors so it would look on film that each of these versions of Harry were different and that even though they looked like Harry (Radcliffe, technically), they maintained their original characteristics as well. It's a really fascinating process to watch in the DVD bonus features, I suggest you check it out. It's a wonderful blend of the special effects and the acting performances to bring one of my favorite sequences from the books to life.

Harry has a really key scene in the film with Hermione Granger, played by Emma Watson. In a scene that is not from the books, they share a dance that teases what some fans had wanted to see since starting the series, if Harry and Hermione could end up being a couple. The "will they, won't they" scene is either loved or hated by fans based on how they felt about the possibility of Harry and Hermione actually dating. For me, I LOVED IT! I thought it actually worked better in the film's favor because Dan and Emma actually had a great amount of chemistry together. Don't believe me? Then go back, watch the earlier films, and watch all of their scenes together with the mindset that by Deathly Hallows, they share a dance scene where they almost kiss. Yeah, suddenly it doesn't seem too farfetched after all. This leads to one of the biggest conflicts of the film, a supposed love triangle that pits Ron Weasley, played by Rupert Grint, against his friends. His jealousy in this film feels more justified and grounded in reality based on what's going on around them. You could understand why he gets angry, and thanks to the Horcrux, it gets turned up to an 11. Of course, Ron has a heroic moment of triumph later on, and all is redeemed. At least he is with Harry, then he goes right back to what we know him for best, getting chewed out by Hermione.

I think I might as well take the time to reflect on Harry's love interest and Ron's little sister Ginny Weasley, played by Bonnie Wright. While I'm quick to understand that the filmmakers liked watching these children grow into mature adults as the films evolve, I think they should have seriously thought about recasting the role of Ginny. In the first two films, they really only needed Ginny to be a quiet, unassuming child character. But you're nearing the end of your series and Wright needed to be ready to step up to the plate and accurately play the role of Ginny as someone confident and strong. Someone that you could honestly believe that Harry would fall in love with. They did NONE of that here and it honestly feels bizarre that Harry would ever fall for her. In fact, the romantic tone of the movies seemed to be more accurate with the teased triangle mentioned earlier. Ginny is easily the major character that I thought the films got wrong the most, and I get that the filmmakers only threw this development between her and Harry together because of the books, but geez, talk about a lack of chemistry. I honestly wouldn't have minded if the filmmakers said "Let's mess with all the fans and go with the whole Harry and Hermione romance," as long as it would have made more sense in the FILMS, which it DID!

In a moment of brilliant casting, we have one of the best villains in the series in Bellatrix Lestrange, played by Helena Bonham Carter. There's not really a whole lot that needs to be said here, other than Carter really knows how to make her a cruel villain with hints of dark comedy. With a love for violence and torture, and a blind faithfulness to Lord Voldemort, she easily sits beside him as one of the top Death Eaters he can depend on. She's especially wicked in Deathly Hallows - Part 1, thanks to a scene in the film's climax that involves her verbally and physically torturing numerous characters, including our main three heroes. She had done some pretty bad things in the previous two films, but this one always seemed to be the toughest for me to stomach thanks to the intimacy of the setting and the vulnerability of her victims. This film is an excellent example of why Bellatrix is one of the biggest fan favorite characters in the series because she's a kooky character (which is Helena's bread and butter at this point) that you absolutely love to hate.

If you check out the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 DVD bonus features, you'll see the main documentary, highlighting the concept of story, is simply a 45 minute discussion between screenwriter Steve Kloves and author J.K. Rowling. While that might be exciting and insightful for some, it didn't help me out towards this review in the slightest. Instead, I'll take the time to explain why I appreciate the story being told in Part 1 as opposed to the action-centered Part 2. The climax of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 is about an hour of action sequence after action sequence, and while that might be the finality of the series for most, it's only one part of the finale. You also need the importance of the main story that is going on and a lot of that set up can be found in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1. This isn't a film you can skip in the series and sure the talking can drag out a bit, but it's all important for the greater good of the final battle. There's tons of detail in establishing all of the story in Part 1 to make sure that the action has the proper payoff in Part 2, so the films need to go hand in hand, or at the least, merged together for a complete film with an intermission in between. Would that have been really that difficult to do? You know the fans would've been there for the full movie even if there wasn't an intermission. And THIS is why I call splitting your final film in a franchise into two parts a cheap, pointless, cash grab.


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This film really comes down to you either like or not based on how much you enjoy dialogue. There is a lot of talking and setting up the plot that will obviously be resolved in Deathly Hallows - Part 2, but if you can actually appreciate the story that's being told, you may find that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 is one of the more enjoyable and thought provoking films in the entire franchise. There's a lot of memorable scenes and moments that are thrown together for fans of both the books and the movies, and this film should be regarded as more than just "the boring one."

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 and movie images are copyrighted by Warner Bros.

Favorite Franchises: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Directed by: David Yates


Plot Summary: Getting ready for his sixth year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter is asked by Professor Dumbledore to accompany him as he tries to get a former Hogwarts professor, Horace Slughorn, to return as the Potions teacher. The reason behind this is unclear to Harry at first, but it is soon revealed to him that Slughorn holds a very important memory in his head that may be the key to finding out how Lord Voldemort can be stopped. Thanks to a mysterious old textbook that was owned by the mysterious Half-Blood Prince, Harry becomes the top student in Slughorn's class and gains his trust, until he asks about the memory. Also during this time, Harry suspects that Voldemort has recruited Draco Malfoy to be his newest Death Eater and is determined more than ever to prove how evil his biggest rival at Hogwarts has become.


There's no ignoring the fact that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince feels like a transitional film. Up until this point, every film, while part of a series, at least feels like it could stand on its own. Yet, with a lot of the decisions that were made here, Half-Blood Prince, which is a very pivotal installment for the books, becomes nothing more than filler before the final 2-part film. Yes, this film has arguably one of the most important moments in the entire franchise (without even spoiling, I'm sure you already know what I'm referring to even if you haven't read the books or seen the movies), but that doesn't excuse that it feels like yet another 2 1/2 hour chore to sit through. Steve Kloves returned as screenwriter, so I can't blame the screenplay. This time, I am actually blaming director David Yates for approving the romantic comedy tone that plagues the entire narrative. When things should be getting darker and darker as the films progress, we are thrown a film with teenage hormones and romantic subplots that are really just obnoxious to sit through. You can't give us that tone for more than half the story and then throw us something really dark and epic at the very end. That doesn't work here. All the other films sprinkled those comedic and romantic moments over the story in moderation, while maintaining an overall tone that should reflect the main plot. Here, we should be really concerned about Voldemort's backstory, the introduction of the Horcruxes, the bond between Harry and Dumbledore, the growing tension between Harry and Draco Malfoy. Instead, the main tone of the film is more likely to leave you with questions of "Will they get together or not?" or "How is clumsy Ron going to do on the Gryffindor Quidditch team?" Do you see the problem yet? Because I sure do.

It's really telling that Daniel Radcliffe has gone on record to say he hated his portrayal of Harry Potter in this film. He considered the performance one-note and that he had got complacent with the role. Well, if that doesn't summarize how transitional Half-Blood Prince is, I don't know what else can. I mean, HARRY FREAKING POTTER was disinterested during the filming of this one. Wow. Just wow. At least there are other characters that get ample screen time and development to take away from the idea that our main protagonist didn't really wanna be there.

After my complaints in my last review, I can safely say that Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, played by Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, actually have a considerable amount of story dedicated to them. Unfortunately, in these dark times that are ahead for my main characters, what I really could not care about any less is whether or not Ron and Hermione will finally be a couple. This takes up the bulk of the romantic comedy tone of the film, which is one of the film's biggest problems, and therefore, they become one of MY biggest problems during the viewing. Ron actually gets a bit more of comedic development on his own, mainly from Rupert Grints facial reactions, and I will admit that it got a bit of a chuckle out of me. Truthfully, it's just refreshing to see Ron FINALLY hit a groove in his film that isn't simply Harry's dimwitted sidekick. He's still a dimwit, but he's at least able to break out on his own and actually steal a good number of scenes with his silly face.

After being in the background for about 3 movies now, we finally return to having Draco Malfoy, played by Tom Felton, as one of our main antagonists. Draco is a very interesting character to watch in Half-Blood Prince because it gives Felton a chance to show that he actually has a wide array of emotions he can display on film. In this film alone, we see Draco as a sniveling coward in some scenes and a cold-hearted mastermind in others. Through Harry's paranoia, the audience really feels like Draco could be a threat, and even worse, could possibly be the Harry Potter of the dark side of magic. Not too bad for the spoiled, whiny brat we were introduced to all the way back in the first film.

It's time I talk about the second actor to play Albus Dumbledore, Sir Michael Gambon. Now look, I know Michael Gambon is an accomplished actor (he wouldn't be a SIR if he was thought to be a crappy actor right?), but I've always thought Richard Harris was a better Dumbledore. Harris had that whimsical, wise factor when playing Dumbledore, and you could see that in the performance. With Gambon, you're more or less TOLD how wise or whimsical he's supposed to be. His relationship with Harry we are TOLD is strong and meaningful, but we don't ever actually SEE or BELIEVE it in the performances. We could see and believe that Harry and Dumbledore had a proper mentor/student relationship when Radcliffe was working with Harris. And he was just a pre-teen in those days, so that says how their chemistry could've evolved over the rest of the films. After Gambon assumed the role, he didn't really become important until Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince, and when he was used, his specialties were in the action scenes, which I admittedly couldn't see Harris doing in his old age had he still be alive to continue with the series. Plus, at least Harris gave Dumbledore a very distinct look. Gambon looks like someone dressing up as Gandalf the Grey for Halloween.

I won't go too much into detail about the special effects, because that technical aspect has never been one of my driving forces for a well-made film. I will say that a lot of the practical and visual effects have held up well over the years (with a few exceptions here and there) and it is impressive to see the amount of time and effort that the filmmakers put into the details the magic they are creating. Not all the effects and the world could overshadow how messy Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince looks as an overall film. Even if the effects look nice, it's tough to be invested in the rest of the film thanks to the bonehead decision it was to mix one of the darkest entries in the Harry Potter series with a freaking romantic comedy.


Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Thanks to the iconic ending, I'm actually here to say that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince isn't my least favorite of the films, but it's a very close 2nd. This film should really feel important to watch, but the tone is all over the place. We get to see some of our more longstanding characters like Malfoy and Dumbledore shine, but Harry feels like he's here on necessity and Ron and Hermione are delegated to a romantic comedy subplot. At least they heightened some amount of tension and anticipation heading into the finale.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and movie images are copyrighted by Warner Bros.

Favorite Franchises: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Directed by: David Yates


Plot Summary: Harry Potter stands up against some serious adversity heading into his fifth year at Hogwarts. During the summer, Harry is attacked by Dementors in his hometown, causing him to use the Patronus Charm and thus violates the rules about underage magic and is expelled from Hogwarts. When he reports to a hearing to plead his case, it is made aware to him that the Ministry of Magic is silencing all reports of Lord Voldemort's return and have labelled Harry and Professor Dumbledore as liars. The Ministry places an official, Delores Umbridge, to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher at Hogwarts, but she does not teach the students how to use spells out and uses unconventional methods to punish students that do not follow her rules. The more power she gains at the school, the more miserable the students become and it is up to Harry and a group of students to form Dumbledore's Army, a rebellion set out to learn defensive spells and defy the wishes of the Ministry of Magic.


And here I thought the Harry Potter films couldn't reach a lower point than Chamber of Secrets. But, we've come to the first time that I have watched a Harry Potter film that honestly made me go "Why should I care about this?" Now, don't go saying that I'm a hater, or that I don't understand the source material, because that's far from the truth. I love Harry Potter. I love the books and I love the films. That being said, I'm not some brainwashed fanboy who believes that everything that comes out of a franchise I like is solid gold. Whether it's Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, or Harry Potter, there are still bad moments that occur in the films, but you can still like them. It's just knowing how to take both the good and bad qualities of your films and seeing which side weighs out in the end. In the case of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, I found that it had more negatives than positives. It took me a while to place where the problems started until I heard on a DVD documentary that this is the only film in the series to have a different screenplay writer than Steve Kloves. Now, not to say that Michael Goldenberg is a bad writer, but he also did the screenplay for Green Lantern so his resume is not working well in his favor. Still, the film introduces at least 3 popular Harry Potter characters in this film (one of which I will talk about in a later review) and offers some memorable action sequences at the end, so I think a lot of fans give it a free pass in quality. I'm not here to do that today, but I'll go ahead and analyze how the characters worked or didn't work in the film as the series continues to evolve.

Harry Potter, played by Daniel Radcliffe, finds himself alone against much adversity in this film. At this point though, it feels as if Harry as a character is just going through the motions. He's growing more courageous and is really stepping out as a leader, sure. That's great to see, but it really isn't establishing a different tone or progression from the previous films. As a result, Harry becomes one of the lesser compelling characters of these middle movies. He's going to get his chance to shine in the final battle in Deathly Hallows, we know that. But while we are waiting for him to get there, other characters are being introduced or making their exits from the series and we are paying more attention to them. Hence why this film made me question "Why should I care?" If I'm caring more about every other character besides our main protagonist, can that really be considered a success? If I actually have to talk myself into caring about what's going on, isn't that a problem? But I digress.

There's actually one really strong moment for Ron Weasley, played by Rupert Grint, in the film. When barely anyone will believe Harry when he says Voldemort has returned, Ron stands up for him no questions asked. It's actually a really solid interaction as you could believe that these two are best friends. We all have friends that have done that for us, or we've done that for our best friends. I just wish we could have had a few more instances of that scattered throughout, as this scene comes and goes rather quickly. Hermione Granger, played by Emma Watson, has one subtle shift in character that grows from her frustrations at the Ministry. She thinks with how extreme things have gone, the only thing that can be done is for her and her friends to break all the rules. Again, this moment is just kind of a "comes and goes" action, as it happens and then not really spoken of again afterwards. I kind of wish Ron and Hermione would have a little more to do in this film, as they are kind of just blend into the background after a while. Heck, they kind of push the whole training of Dumbledore's Army on Harry's shoulders, and are just there to partake in the training. With the adventures they've had together, I'd assume the Army could have at least had 2 assistant leaders who can do more than call a secret meeting early on. These two are just kind of "there" in the film at this point, as many more characters are introduced and allowed time to grow and develop.

One of the best characters introduced in Order of the Phoenix is Luna Lovegood, played by Evanna Lynch. Apart from being terrifically quirky, she forms a really quick bond with Harry as they are the only two in their close group of friends that has experienced death. She also is one of the only people to reassure Harry that she believes him when he says Voldemort has returned. As far as character introductions go, Luna is one of the better ones handled in this series and she is truly one of the shining spots in this disappointing installment. What really makes this character work is Lynch's performance, which should come as no surprise. She was a massive fan of the books and films when auditions came for the role of Luna. Talk about a dream come true.

One of the nastiest villains in the Harry Potter universe debuts in Order of the Phoenix in the form of Delores Umbridge, played by Imelda Staunton. Forget about Voldemort, THIS is the evilest character in the entire series. Really, when you think about what's more frightening, both are equally evil. But look at Voldemort, black cloak, noseless face, bald head, snake-like, it's what you'd expect to be evil. Umbridge loves cats, the color pink, is entirely self-righteous, and is always trying her best to keep on smiling. That's just wrong. That's freaking twisted. Evil should not be packaged so cheerfully. Also, while I would never endorse the concept of a man hitting a woman, I can say that for my money's worth, Umbridge is the most punchable woman in film history. Then again, that's the entire point of her character, so it's good to know Staunton is doing the part well.

After five films, you can really see the evolution of the Harry Potter series. We not only see these child characters all the way back in Sorcerer's Stone evolve into mature young adults, but we also see their actors evolve into more experienced performers. There's also a noticeable, yet progressive evolution in style for the filmmakers. Chris Columbus definitely laid a lot of groundwork in the first two films, but since then, every director that has been brought into the series has added their own spin. David Yates was the last director used for the series and actually worked to complete the final four films in the series, which is probably the most consistent form of evolution in the films. I just wish Yates would have had a better debut in the franchise instead of Order of the Phoenix. Hopefully as the films progress towards the end, we can see that Yates was not at fault. That the flaws were only in the script not written by Steve Kloves. We can only hope that that's the case.


Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix suffers by trying to cram the largest book in the series into the film with the shortest runtime. With this being the only Harry Potter film to not have Steve Kloves write the screenplay, many subplots are mismatched with the main picture and the film just seems to lack the fun and effort that the previous films do. I can honestly say, as a film experience goes, that this film is a mess and is barely salvageable thanks to the final action sequences and the inclusions of Umbridge and Luna Lovegood.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and movie images are copyrighted by Warner Bros.

Favorite Franchises: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Directed by: Mike Newell


Plot Summary: At the Quidditch World Cup, Harry Potter witnesses an attack on the fairgrounds by a group of Death Eaters, leaving the eerie Dark Mark in the sky, indicating that Lord Voldemort will return soon. With tensions high, Harry prepares to return to school for his fourth year. When he arrives at Hogwarts, he and the rest of the students learn that the school will host the Triwizard Tournament, a legendary event where a representative from each of the three schools compete in three grueling tasks. To enter the tournament, students must put their name in the Goblet of Fire and be selected to become champion of their school. At the ceremony, the three champions are chosen: Viktor Krum from Durmstrang, Fleur Delacour from Beauxbatons, and Cedric Diggory from Hogwarts. When the Goblet selects Harry as the fourth champion, the faculty discusses removing him from the tournament, since no student under the age of 17 was allowed to enter. Professor Dumbledore decides to let him complete so they can let the events of who put his name in the Goblet of Fire unfold. Harry must prepare for tasks that will challenge him both physically and mentally. Harry and his friends must also face the challenges of the Yule Ball and trying to get a date for the event, as well as be on the lookout for anything else that could signal the return of Voldemort.


Of the films, there has not been one that I can recall being so hyped for as I was for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The adaptation of my favorite Harry Potter book, I was really looking forward to seeing my favorite moments of the Triwizard Tournament brought to life on the big screen, as well as the introduction of some large fan-favorite characters. I feel like this one is usually split among the Harry Potter fans. There are a lot that have regarded this as their favorite of the films, including myself heading into this recent viewing. Yet, there are also many who were left disappointed by this installment and usually regard Prisoner of Azkaban as the best constructed film of the series. Call it a bias, call it nostalgia, I really don't care. I love this movie. I'm now halfway through re-watching all of these Harry Potter films, and this was still the most enjoyable one to sit through. I have some difficulty believing that feeling will go away anytime soon, but we've still got 4 more to go after this one, so there is a chance of a new favorite emerging. But for now, let's look at what has been my favorite Harry Potter film for 10 years now.

This year offers a new challenge for Harry Potter, played by Daniel Radcliffe. For the first time, Harry is involved in a bunch of challenges that his friends will not be able to help him out in. He gets help or tips from the occasional mentor or friend, but this is really one of the first chances audiences have seen Harry think on his own to survive. Goblet of Fire is a really important film for Harry, as it demonstrates his resourcefulness and cleverness in order to survive dragons, mermaids, and a dangerous maze. The Triwizard Tournament offers a very unique challenge for Harry as well, being the first time where Harry's life is on the line against a number of tasks, rather than facing your main antagonist. Of course, there is room for an antagonist to leave his mark on the film and Harry's journey. More on that in a bit, but let's first wrap up my thoughts on Harry by saying that this film further helps mature the character into a young man that audiences could actually believe to be a credible hero. We also get some very humorous scenes where we finally see something that Harry has difficult doing: asking a girl on a date. It's actually really entertaining to see our main protagonist be nervous about getting a date for the Yule Ball, and it definitely offers another form of character growth and evolution into early adulthood for Harry.

For once, Ron Weasley, played by Rupert Grint, actually has something new to do with his character. Having said that, it really doesn't seem to fit or feel natural to the story. Ron is jealous that Harry is in the Triwizard Tournament and that really clouds any form of judgment or logic for him. Even when Harry says that he didn't do it, Ron, his BEST FRIEND, doesn't believe him. Ron finally comes to his senses midway through the movie, and then it's his usual type of humor for the rest of the running time. I will say his humor is pretty good when it comes to the scenes about the Yule Ball. Hermione Granger, played by Emma Watson, actually takes a backseat in this film. She's not able to be in the games with Harry, and she's actually unable to help him for once. The main character bits for Hermione in Goblet of Fire involve furthering her teased feelings for Ron. Kind of feels like a step backwards from how she evolved in Prisoner of Azkaban. Oh well, at least she gets that big moment at the Yule Ball when all eyes get to see just how pretty she can look. Which has always baffled me because she was never bad looking in either of the previous films, nor did she do anything out of the ordinary for the Yule Ball except wear a dress.

I guess now would be a good time as any to talk about Rubeus Hagrid, played by Robbie Coltrane. For the last couple of films, Hagrid has been a loyal friend for Harry and his friends, as well as Professor Dumbledore. His specialty has been the unique magical creatures that keep popping up around Hogwarts, evident in this movie as he shows Harry a sneak peek of an upcoming challenge in the Triwizard Tournament involving dragons. But Hagrid's big storyline in the film is the teased romance he has with Beauxbatons Headmistress Madame Maxine, played by Frances de la Tour. I really wish it wasn't teased though. He's given a handful of cute scenes with her and then it just stops by the time they get to the Yule Ball. They dance and then nothing afterwards. There's a bit more to it in the books, so I wish we could have had a scene or throwaway line that at least brings closure to the subplot. While it could've been explored more, Hagrid still exudes the same positive traits he has for the last three films and that's all fans can really ask for.

In this film, we are FINALLY introduced to the full formed version of the evil Lord Voldemort, played by Ralph Fiennes. Really think about this. We've now endured three previous films of teasing and buildup for how evil this guy is supposed to be, so this really had to be done correctly and live up to the hype. So when you see him, you're absolutely blown away from his look. His bald head, flat, noseless face, silky, black cloak, and mannerisms exhibiting as much elegance as malice. Needless to say, they got the look down perfectly and Fiennes feels right at home playing this embodiment of pure evil. The debut of Voldemort proves that when it comes to film characters, first impressions are always key. The fact that this film is mainly about the Triwizard Tournament, then becomes a film about Voldemort's return in the final act also serves as a fantastic metaphor of the amount of power and fear he can instill on the plot, the characters, and even the viewers.

One important aspect of movie magic to discuss when looking at the Harry Potter series is the use of sound and music. This series has had great composers attached, from John Williams (Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, and Prisoner of Azkaban), to Nicholas Hooper (Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince), to Alexandre Desplat (Both Deathly Hallows films). Even though he was used for only one film, Patrick Doyle brought a unique flare unseen in the previous films to the music he scored for Goblet of Fire, with highlights including the music used for the Yule Ball and a personal favorite of mine in the theme used for Durmstrang and Viktor Krum. And of course, it would be foolish to talk about music without discussing the most well-known piece of music that surrounds all 8 films. That song (which I know you're already humming) was composed by the great John Williams and is actually a theme song for Harry's owl Hedwig, and has been tweaked by other composers for the later films, but the iconic sound is always present and a key marketing piece for the films. The blending of sounds is also important to bring this magical world to life, so give credit to the sound mixers for actually having to create distinct sounds for objects and actions that are not possible and have not been seen in film. From wands waving in a wizard's duel, to the familiar motions in a game of Quidditch, to our favorite characters performing apparition to journey to a new location, these sounds are expertly crafted and stay in your mind after hearing them. Combine that with the music, and each scene is a sensation for the eyes and the ears.


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

With the inclusion of Lord Voldemort, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ends on just the right amount of dread and hope to carry some serious weight heading into the second half of the series. While flawed, the film is still full of entertaining and crucial scenes in the Harry Potter folklore and is a delight to experience.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and movie images are copyrighted by Warner Bros.

Favorite Franchises: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón


Plot Summary: As Harry Potter prepares for his third year at Hogwarts, he has been cautioned by everyone around him to be on the lookout for Sirius Black, a murderer who recently escaped from Azkaban Prison. Harry also comes across the Dementors, nasty creatures sent from Azkaban to track Sirius. After coming in contact with the Dementors and passing out, Harry trains with the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Lupin to master the Patronus Charm so he can defend himself against them. During this time, Harry also learns the truth of why he's been told to not go looking for Sirius, because he's Harry's godfather and the one who turned Harry's parents over to Lord Voldemort. Fueled by revenge, Harry hopes that Sirius finds him so he can avenge his parents' deaths.


After directing two Harry Potter films, Chris Columbus decided to step away from the director's chair and returned as a producer for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Alfonso Cuarón stepped up to the task of being the director and while he was only present for one film, he made a film that many consider to be one of the best, if not THE best Harry Potter film. Do I think it's the best? No, but I do still think it's still a well-made Harry Potter film. This film marked the beginning of the films we most associate with the franchise. Dark and edgy, the film noticeably inches closer to a more adult-oriented tone and steps further away from providing family-friendly entertainment. I still think there's about one or two left in the series that do it a little better than Prisoner of Azkaban, and I still have a nostalgic fondness for Sorcerer's Stone, so that's why I won't say that this film is my favorite. But, there is a LOT to enjoy with this film that makes it at least my 3rd or 4th favorite Harry Potter film, and that's saying something.

The kids we grew up with in the first two films are definitely maturing into fine young adult actors at this point, including Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter. Harry's undergoing a lot of emotional stress during this film and it has everything to do with the escaped murderer Sirius Black and the eerie Dementors that won't leave him alone. I'll talk more about both of those problems in a little bit, but let's focus on Harry right now. Radcliffe has to bring a lot to the table in order to get Harry particularly right in this film. One of my favorite moments for him in the film is when he has discovered the truth about Sirius Black. If you watch some of the early screen tests, this is actually a scene they had Radcliffe read to see how he would approach an older version of Harry. I could see where a lot of people that think this makes Harry irrational and impulsive, but really, if you were in his shoes, wouldn't you act and feel the same way? That's why I really like Harry in this film particularly, because he's the most relatable I've seen him in this series. He's not the Chosen One yet and he's not dealing with Lord Voldemort in this film. For him, he's in a conflict that is very personal, which is when conflict can be the most dangerous, and that is why I find his character bits in Prisoner of Azkaban very engaging to watch.

Emma Watson really stands out in this film as Hermione Granger. No longer is she your typical brainy character. Hermione has a stand up attitude that allows her to defend her and her friends to even then most ruthless of antagonists. If there was ever a Harry Potter film to please the feminists, this might be it, as it fully shows a strong, female character, who not only is capable of success without a male character bailing her out, but in many ways is directly responsible for saving the day. Great job Miss Granger. 10 points to Gryffindor! Like the last movie, nothing really special happens with Ron Weasley, played by Rupert Grint. Ron's usefulness in Prisoner of Azkaban is simply to be comic relief. You could argue that he has a lot of development thanks to the teasing a future romance between him and Hermione, but even then, that's all he has. Hermione had that, and development that allowed her to stand out as an individual character. We're almost halfway done with this series, and I'm really starting to feel sorry for Ron. Either he's going to need to undergo a significant amount of character focus in the next few films, or his comedic moments are going to need to pick it up in terms of effectiveness.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban introduces us to two of my all-time favorite characters in the series. The first is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Remus Lupin, played by David Thewlis. Lupin is easily the nicest Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher the franchise has to offer, and really steps in as Harry's mentor for the film. He's humorous, kind, and believes chocolate is the cure for everything. Lupin's friendship with Harry is one of the film's best highlights since he offers a lot of insight to Harry about his parents, teaches Harry how to use the Patronus Charm, and provides a lot of advice on conquering fear. But, like any other character in Harry's life, he has a secret that creates quite a problem for Harry and his gang down the road.

The Prisoner of Azkaban himself is Sirius Black, played by Gary Oldman. What else do I need to say? It's GARY OLDMAN! He is one of my favorite modern actors and has been for some time. He's a chameleon who has been able to give so many iconic roles in his career and Sirius Black is no exception. Heck, Daniel Radcliffe was nervous to work with Oldman because he considered him to be one of his idols. Sirius doesn't officially show up until the last act of the film, but the build up to him is so incredible. All we see of him for most of the film is this crazed, manic expression on his face in his wanted poster. That on top of what every character says about him really plays him up as a psychotic and threatening killer. But then we learn that not everything is what it seems and Oldman is able to put that to good use when playing Sirius for the remainder of his appearances in the series. I really like how Sirius as a character is handled in this film because we run the gamut of emotions and reactions with him throughout the course of Prisoner of Azkaban and an accomplished actor like Oldman really is the proper person to bring that role to life, as he has done a great job of playing memorable heroes and villains in his career.

The major documentary on the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Ultimate Edition DVD talked about all the great creatures in the Harry Potter films and how they were brought to life. Obviously, a lot of the magic in these movies are through practical and computer generated effects, but this documentary focused on the practical side. We see great mechanics, suits, sculptures, and concept drawings for a bunch of great characters that we have seen in these first three movies, along with the rest of the films to follow. Whether it's trolls, dragons, giant snakes, giant spiders (*shudders* Sorry, that's my arachnophobia kicking in), werewolves, Dementors, Buckbeak the hippogriff, Fawkes the Phoenix, or Dobby the House Elf, this documentary shows how important all of these magical creatures are in the films. Usually in the background of the main stories, the creatures always leave a lasting impression because if they are done right, then they are that extra bit of magic used to help make the world of Harry Potter feel like a combination of fantasy and reality.


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

With the inclusion of Lupin and Sirius Black, the Harry Potter franchise continues to grow with great characters. On top of that, you can really see these younger actors growing and maturing into their roles, exhibiting a greater amount of depth and development. Alfonso Cuarón really added a lot as a director when he made Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and made the film a measuring stick for the rest of the series in terms of quality of storytelling and character development, as well as maintaining a darker and more serious tone.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and movie images are copyrighted by Warner Bros.

Favorite Franchises: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Directed by: Chris Columbus


Plot Summary: During the summer, Harry Potter is visited by a house elf named Dobby, who warns Harry not to return to Hogwarts. After many numerous warnings and attempts to keep him away from the school, Harry still manages to return to Hogwarts. One night, Harry finds a message written on a wall in blood saying that the Chamber of Secrets has been re-opened. The mysterious person behind the Chamber's re-opening claims to be the heir of Salazar Slytherin, and his victims are left petrified at the sight of a monster that lies within the Chamber. It's up to Harry, Ron, and Hermione to solve how to get into the Chamber of Secrets and how they can stop whoever is behind these attacks before another student is petrified, or worse.


With 8 films in a franchise, even if all of them are considered good, there is always that one film that is considered less among the rest. I'm surprised that most fans point at Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. It's common to find Chamber of Secrets, along with Sorcerer's Stone, as the top choices for the franchise's weakest films, which I find to be most unfortunate. The reason behind it is up for debate, but I think a lot of fans are simply in favor of the darker toned films that show up with the rest of the franchise. I will say that Chamber of Secrets is certainly darker than Sorcerer's Stone, but also retains a sense of bright colors and fun for the whole family. Does that concept work in this film? I'd say both yes and no. The film is solid thanks to a lot of the new characters and concepts that are introduced, but I think the biggest struggle is how the story measures up. It doesn't measure up to the nostalgia of the first film, and the later films up the intensity and importance of the remainder of their respective stories, so it causes many elements of Chamber of Secrets to get lost in the shuffle with the rest of the films. But let's look at the positives contributions this film exhibits to the Harry Potter franchise.

No longer having to serve as the audience's introduction to the wizarding world, the character of Harry Potter, played by Daniel Radcliffe, is much more comfortable being in this world, while also learning more about it. He has a bigger sense of confidence and courage at Hogwarts, and has assumed a leadership type role among his fellow students. Tie that in to the mystery surrounding the Chamber of Secrets and you can also find a lot of his morals like loyalty for his friends and determination to do the right thing. It's at this point that Harry has to accept that if trouble rears its head at Hogwarts that he needs to be the one to save the day. Radcliffe really steps it up in this film and delivers a believable portrayal of a young character that is evolving and maturing into who he is. That concept of accepting his destiny is going to be recurring a lot throughout the rest of the films, so viewers should definitely get used to seeing it.

Rupert Grint and Emma Watson return as Harry's best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Of these two, the character that evolves the most over the course of the film is Hermione, who is definitely more comfortable bending the rules than she was in Sorcerer's Stone. Using her knowledge of spells and potions, Hermione always seems to come through for Harry and Ron whenever they can't figure something out. She brews polyjuice potion, she immobilizes a rowdy group of Cornish pixies, she blows up a rogue bludger that is chasing Harry, and she gathers as much information as she can to know the history of the Chamber of Secrets, proving how resourceful and clever a witch or wizard could be at the age of 12. As for Ron, he remains the comic relief of the trio. He's actually pretty one-dimensional in this film. His wand breaks, so he's a bad magician. His owl is old, so it's clumsy. He's afraid of spiders, so he acts like a coward. Really, a lot of what Ron does is purely paid for laughs, so there's not much to write about him here. In fact, most of his character moments in the film revolve around stuff around him (objects or characters) and him simply reacting, or more appropriately overreacting, to them.

The best thing about Ron in the movie is that we are formally introduced to his family, the Weasleys. His parents Arthur and Molly Weasley, played by Mark Williams and Julie Walters, really provide an amazing family dynamic in the wizarding world. They may not make that much money, but they still take care and provide for their family. Most importantly for Harry Potter, they are a much warmer and homier family experience than his dreadful family the Dursleys. His Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia Dursley, played by Richard Griffiths and Fiona Shaw, and their spoiled son Dudley, played by Harry Melling, are entertaining characters to be sure, but their shtick never seems to change over the course of the films. But when they do show up, they are tons of fun to laugh at and they are deliciously evil villains that pose absolutely no threat to our favorite young wizard.

A villain that Harry does need to look out for is Lucius Malfoy, played by Jason Isaacs. Talk about deliciously evil, Isaacs completely soaks up the screen whenever he's present, particularly in Chamber of Secrets. We'll talk about Lucius's son Draco, played by Tom Felton, down the road in a later review, but when you watch the first two films, pay attention to his character. To prepare for the role of Lucius, Isaacs watched Felton's portrayal of Draco to see what would make the son of his character tick and function the way that he does. Then Isaacs took those traits and cranked them up even higher to create a villainous parent so loathsome that he makes viewers almost feel sorry for Draco, since it appears that Lucius bullies him around to discipline him. In this film alone, he is able to make enemies out of nearly every heroic character he comes across, so you can tell Lucius is naturally at home being one of the dominant villains in the film, and one of my personal favorite portrayals in the entire franchise. Isaacs has a deep appreciation for his role as Lucius, and you can sincerely hear it in his interviews for the film, which is a telling tale of just one of the many actors who truly value the importance of bringing these book characters to life on the big screen.

The major documentary on this Ultimate Edition goes over a lot of the main characters (much like how I'm treating these reviews) and what their actors bring to the roles in portraying those characters. I really love these kinds of features because they give a lot of behind the scenes footage and fun stories with the cast and crew, but it also shows the level of effort and depth that was needed to bring these memorable book characters to life on the big screen. So when you look at a film like Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, a film that fans will openly say is lesser than the rest, people can still attach themselves to a character who only appears in one film. Take Gilderoy Lockhart, played by Kenneth Branagh, for example. He's only in one film, but because Branagh plays the role so brilliantly, he's regarded as a fan favorite performance in the franchise. The reason for this is simple. Harry Potter fans are diehard, and they want these characters to be done right. If the cast and filmmakers are able to bring these characters to life on film, then these beloved book characters are turned into universal characters that are now remembered in two different forms of media. That, in itself, could easily be considered a form of movie magic.


Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

While not a bad film, I definitely feel like Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets has a difficult time contending with the rest of the films, as it lacks the nostalgia quality of Sorcerer's Stone, as well as the darker tone of the rest of the films. It has a fair share of shining moments, but it definitely has some sophomore struggles that many sequels have. A lot of what happens seems to lack that magic and nostalgia of the first film, while trying to make the story a lot darker, while also having fun, family friendly moments. It may not work to perfection here, but it is a formula that is done a lot better in future Harry Potter films, so at least Chamber of Secrets proved it was possible to do.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and movie images are copyrighted by Warner Bros.

Favorite Franchises: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Directed by: Chris Columbus


Plot Summary: Harry Potter is an unassuming, average little boy, living with his horrible Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, and his spoiled cousin Dudley, the Dursleys. One day, Harry receives his first bit of mail, much to the horror of the Dursleys, so they destroy the letter and all others that show up on their property. On Harry's eleventh birthday, he is visited by a gigantic man named Rubeus Hagrid, who informs Harry that he is a wizard and that he has been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is at this school where Harry will learn how to cast spells, brew potions, play Quidditch, meet his two best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, and solve the mystery of the Sorcerer's Stone and who is trying to steal it.


Last Friday, the character of Harry Potter celebrated his 35th birthday, so the wife and I planned an amazing tribute to a book and film character that has been a large part of our lives and millions of others' since 1997 when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone hit bookstores everywhere. In 2001, the character's popularity grew even further when the film adaptation was released (and was my introduction to the story). Compared as our generation's Wizard of Oz or Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter has become THE fantasy franchise of the new millennium and there's no better way for me to wish Harry Potter a Happy Birthday than look at the journey it took to make 7 bestselling books into 8 blockbuster movies. This journey requires me to look at the Ultimate Editions of all the films, so that I can look at the full behind the scenes process. So scattered among the next 8 reviews will be in-depth looks on the main characters of the films, as well as some special attention to the franchise's greatest supporting characters, along with spotlights on the creatures, the music, the effects, and so much more. So let's start the magic by looking at the film that started it all: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Daniel Radcliffe was cast as Harry Potter, in a role that could easily be looked at long-term as both a blessing and a curse, but for now, we'll look at his performance in the first film. I really like Harry in this movie, and a lot of that is from Radcliffe's performance. He brings a genuine nature to Harry, but makes sure not to make him a complete goody good. He has moments where he gets angry, sad, even selfish, and we don't fault him for it because he's a kid. He's constantly growing, constantly learning from his actions and mistakes. In the first film, Harry particularly serves as a window to the world of witches and wizards to the muggles sitting in the audience. When he learns about a new creature or character, so does the audience. When he tours Hogwarts for the first time, so do we. When he experiences Quidditch for the first time, when he learns about spells and potions, when he discovers the mystery behind the Sorcerer's Stone, well you get the idea.

Harry's first friend at Hogwarts is Ron Weasley, played by Rupert Grint. Ron is definitely the comedic relief of the main trio, but he definitely finds usefulness later on in the film. Once he actually opens his mind, he is able to conjure up spells and even displays a fondness for Wizard's Chess. Harry and Ron also befriend brainy student Hermione Granger, played by Emma Watson. Serving as the expert of books and spells among her friends, Hermione is a know-it-all who can come across as annoying at first, but earns her keep with Harry and Ron by proving she is capable of bending the rules for a good cause. These two are definitely great supporting characters who are loyal to Harry, and will have a lot more development as the series progresses, but here they have a very solid introduction and it's understandable why Harry would choose them to be his closest friends at Hogwarts.

It's time to spotlight one of my favorite professors at Hogwarts, Professor Minerva McGonagall, played by Dame Maggie Smith. Not featured as prominently throughout the rest of the films as she should be, McGonagall has always been one of my favorite Hogwarts professors because of her great combination of sternness and kindness. You can see scattered throughout the film that she genuinely cares about Harry, Ron, and Hermione, as she is quick to help them or reward them when they succeed. Think about it. It's because of McGonagall that Harry joins the Quidditch team and gets his first broomstick. However, she does know how to have fun in embarrassing and punishing others, like when she chews out Harry and Ron for being late to her class. There's definitely a warmth to McGonagall, but hides it pretty well over a scolding demeanor, and that's a real talent that I completely credit to Maggie Smith.

Another character with warmth and intimidation is Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, played in the first two films by Richard Harris. Dumbledore's intimidation isn't through a rough demeanor, but rather a prestigious reputation. He's already held to the utmost standard of being one of the greatest headmasters that Hogwarts has ever seen. That's what Harry is told first, so he definitely arrives to Hogwarts with those expectations. But when he has his moments with Dumbledore in the film, Dumbledore exhibits both warmth and wisdom as a proper mentor figure for Harry to go to. There's a look that Harry gives Dumbledore at the end of the film, and you can really feel that emotion because it makes sense given the quality of their interactions. Sadly, Harris passed away shortly before Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was released, so his time as Dumbledore was brief. But, his time should not be forgotten, as he was an extra bit of magic that helped make the film a success.

Can you imagine the amount of stress and pressure it took to make Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone into a film? From the casting, to the storytelling, to the set and costume designs, to the effects. Everything needed to find a way to connect to the audience so the audience could connect to the film. The success of the first movie in a franchise is always important because it gives the studio permission to green light the rest of the franchise. If Sorcerer's Stone was a critical and financial disaster, then it would seem pointless to try and make the other 6 books into movies. Thankfully, the film was praised upon its initial release and it put plans into motion for making Chamber of Secrets immediately after the film premiered in London. While changes have been made throughout the franchise, Sorcerer's Stone laid the groundwork for the actors and filmmakers to work on for the next 10 years.


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

A lot of fans have turned their backs on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, in favor of the darker tone established in the later films, but I've always really enjoyed this one ever since I was a kid. The film that introduced the world of Harry Potter to a larger audience offers three compelling and likable child characters, a ton of accomplished actors playing the adults, and plenty of atmosphere to bring the magic of Harry Potter to life on the big screen. The recommendation portion of the entire franchise will be saved for the end of Deathly Hallows - Part 2, but if you're starting the series for the first time, Sorcerer's Stone definitely gets the franchise up and running on a good first impression.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and movie images are copyrighted by Warner Bros.