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My new ranking of the Harry Potter films
To carry Pottermania going over the weekend, I present my new ranking of the Harry Potter films.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban A
Potter fans like to complain about this one because it dared to muss their beloved text, but I think that’s exactly why this is the best film of the series by far: it lives and breathes on own without being shackled to the words of J.K. Rowling (who, it must be said, had no problem with the changes). Everything, from the direction to the performances to the digital effects, is greatly improved from the first two films. The time travel scenes at the end of the movie, which double back on themselves, are outstanding, thanks to director Alfonso Cuaron’s clever eye.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince A
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire A-
The series gets its first British director, Mike Newell, and having someone who knows what a British school is like goes a long way toward making the film feel authentic. Contains some breathtaking scenes, like the opening World Cup of Quidditch, and the truly terrifying climax with he who shall not be named. Debits: the pace goes slack in a few places, and some characters, like Rita Skeeter, feel like window dressing.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone A-
This was my introduction to the Potter world, because I hadn’t read the books at the time, and I was quite enthralled. The pacing is a bit sleepy at times, but that’s a result of having to spend so much time on exposition. (Too bad about the dodgy Quidditch effects, though.) Too many people like to crack on director Chris Columbus for not being a visionary aritste. However, he deserves a great deal of credit for establishing the template for the series, and especially for his role in finding Radcliffe, Watson and Grint.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix B+
When the film works, it works very well, particularly during the action scenes, and whenever the deliciously nasty Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) is onscreen, but on the whole, the movie feels too rushed, trying to cram too much into too little time. Full review.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets B+ This tends to be the film I remember the least well, maybe because the thrill of discovery was gone for me. I read the book before seeing the film, and the film follows the novel so slavishly, there was no sense of surprise. On the plus side, it’s much better paced than the first film. Kenneth Branagh is a hoot as the stuck-up but really rather hapless Professor Lockheart.
That’s my ranking of the films now. What’s yours?
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Comments
By Martha Hardcastle
July 24, 2009 11:37 AM | Link to this
My kids were really into these movies in the beginning and I’m sure they would be happy to see the newest. But in my smattering watching briefly while they were watching their DVDs, I just don’t get it. Does this make me a nerd or an anti-nerd? Dunno.By Kim
July 17, 2009 4:49 PM | Link to this
This is hard for me - because I love them all! And I will have to see the new a few more times - live with it and see how it settles in before I will know where it truly places. But offhand - I think I would order them the same as you have! I was surprised that you had Goblet listed as #3 - I thought you would place it lower - but that is definitely where it is for me. Love the Mad Eye Moody character - even though it’s a “fake” Moody - I just really like how that whole film plays out. It has the great focus on the characters that I love - the conflict between Harry & Ron, the spark of Hermione’s love for Ron beginning, so many tests for Harry’s courage - the dramatic scene with Voldemort - good stuff. Azkaban is pretty awesome - not sure that Half-Blood can dethrone it in my heart - but it’s pretty darn good. We’ll see… :)By SRCputt
July 17, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this
I rate Goblet a little lower than most. I thought the focus was so much on the tournament that other details got pushed aside too much. That said, all the films so far are easy recommends.By Melissa
July 17, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this
The first remains the favorite for me. I don’t base it on special effects. I base it on the joy of seeing Harry find a new life at Hogwarts from the misery he’d endured with his “family”. There is still innocence in this movie - the evil plays more in the background. It is a movie about new beginnings for a young man who just happens to also be a wizard destined to save his world. The movie simply warms my heart, makes me laugh, and thrills me all at the same time - what more can you ask for?By Zack
July 17, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this
I go Half-Blood, Goblet, Azkaban, Chamber, Order and Stone. Love the top three, like the others to varying degrees.