zondag 23 mei 2021

Ranking the Franchise - Harry Potter

It’s been 20 years since the first Harry Potter movie was released. Feel old yet? And since they have been showing them again on television (October is magic) I decided to take a closer look and actually rank all the eight Harry Potter movies. And it wasn’t an easy job.
 
8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
The beginning of the end. Warner Brothers decided to split the last book into two movies. In a way the right choice, since there is a lot to be told. But because of that, the seventh film doesn’t feel finished and is just a set-up for everything that will happen in the final movie.
 
7. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
A dark, exciting film. This part also made it clear that director David Yates was here to stay. The film was made with confidence, where everyone finally acknowledges that Voldemort is back. Together with Dumbledore, Harry tries to figure out how to defeat the evil wizard. Meanwhile, Harry, Ron and Hermione are also becoming real adolescents and slowly love blossoms here and there. And this is the part I hated and why the film is so low on the list.
 
6. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Mike Newell directs this fourth film in the series and it’s one of the most complex films in the franchise. A visually good-looking film, in which the visual effects are more beautiful than ever, the characters mature slowly and the actors are completely invested. As the film begins, Harry wonders why his scar hurts from time to time. And where do these mysterious visions come from? In the fourth year of Hogwarts, Harry also has to enter the Tri-Wizard Tournament.
 
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
The second Harry Potter film is worst received movie in the series. Mainly because director Chris Columbus has put just about everything from the book into the film, which makes it a bit overcrowded. For me, not less fun, since I actually really like it. It’s nice to see how the actors slowly grow into their roles. This was sadly also the final film with Richard Griffiths as Dumbledore, who I always found the better version of the iconic wizard. He had the calmness and wise nature that was described in the books. But since his passing, he needed to be recast.
 
4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2003)
One of the very best films in the franchise. The film strikes a wonderful balance between a dark tone, a complex story and a lot of magic. The first film in the franchise that became darker in tone and content. The film introduces Sirius Black, who escapes after twelve years in Azkaban. And we meet Remus Lupin, the new Defense Agains the Dark Arts teacher. Two of my favorite characters in the franchise.
 
3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
The very first film in the franchise and the one that started it all. Director Chris Columbus managed to adapt the amazing source material to the big screen, without overcrowding the film. This is where we meet Harry, his friends and all the great characters we came to love over the years. And I think the audience was just as amazed and overwhelmed as Harry was.
 
2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
I was very surprised myself that I loved this film so much. Director David Yates was given a difficult task. He had to adapt the longest book to film. And it worked out very well. But it did result in the shortest Harry Potter film, which is therefore entertaining and full of action. Harry is distrusted in this film: Voldemort wouldn’t be back at all. Meanwhile, Dolores Umbridge is the new teacher for Defense Against the Dark Arts, and she gets the task of keeping a close eye on Dumbledore, Harry and the other students of Hogwarts. In doing so, the entire curriculum in which the wizards learn to defend themselves is immediately destroyed. Harry and his friends decide to teach themselves. Imelda Staunton is the star of this film, since she embodies the awful Umbridge so well.
 
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
I never expected that the eight and final film to be my favorite. Harry and his battle with the evil Voldemort had to end at the top. It is an exciting, thrilling, well-acted and visually extremely impressive film. Especially the battle of Hogwarts is an epic and unforgettable scene. But what is especially clever is that this eight-part film series is brought to a very satisfactory ending. The battle between good and evil in the magical world has broken out into a real war. Harry, tother with Ron and Hermione, has the task to end it.

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