Looking Back at the Harry Potter Movies: Harry Potter Week Part 1

Looking Back at the Harry Potter Movies

Commentary by Frederick Cholowski

Well it’s almost over, the Harry Potter franchise which has spanned 7 novels and in a few days 8 movies is coming to a close. Those who know me know that I love the books, not read them 7 times and carve “nimbus 2000” into broomsticks love but still love it the same. Those who know me also know I simply like the films. Not saying they are bad by any stretch of the imagination (good means good) but not up to the level of the novels. Maybe it’s because they follow the novels too closely or lose a little charm at times but still I like them anyways. Well with the end of the film franchise (the book franchise ended a number of years ago) I have decided to look back and count down from my least favorite Potter film to my favorite Potter film (excluding the last one because it hasn’t been released yet).

7. The Chamber of Secrets

Ah yes number 2 my least favorite of the franchise. This was back when the films still hadn’t matured out of the we’re a bit kiddy faze. Don’t get me wrong I don’t dislike this film but it’s also the weakest in the franchise with a “we’re still young” feel. That would be radically changed in the next film but more on that later…

6. The Deathly Hallows Part 1

Here lies the reason why I’m only cautiously optimistic for the last film in the Potter franchise. This film didn’t work on its own it was just endless build up without achieving much. Then it just kind of ends! Right when the film starts to get some momentum going too. Again by no means a bad film but still one of the weakest in the franchise.

5. The Order of the Phoenix

How do you turn one of the best most richly detailed books in the franchise into the shortest film in the whole series? That is the question many Potter fans where asking when the fifth film in the franchise myself included. Not judging the book (which I usually try not to do) though this is a solid entry in the Potter franchise. It’s not great and feels a bit rushed but a solid film none the less

4. The Goblet of Fire

My favorite book in the whole series is the Goblet of Fire. I think it brings the series to new heights adding new depth and expands the franchise into new territory. Problem with this film is that this happened to the film series last film. More on that later. Anyhow Goblet of fire is a solid entry in the franchise and definitely deserves to be this high on this list.

3. The Philosopher’s Stone

This is the one that started it all. Sure it has its shaky points but this film brought all the atmosphere and character into the franchise almost flawlessly. It’s always a treat when you get to see one of your favorite books jump to life on screen and the first Potter film did this on almost all the right notes.

2. The Half Blood Prince

I am in the minority of people who love this one. It gets some much needed character development and build in before racing to an interesting (yet a bit anticlimactic) finale. It succeeds in being a good set up film while also be able to stand alone as one of the best in the franchise.

1. The Prisoner of Azkaban

Funny how my least favorite book in the franchise becomes my favorite film. This took the Potter franchise in a new much needed direction. It was darker and more convincing while still keeping the charm of the series. It also managed to grow the sires up a couple of years to get older people involved. It’s the only film in the Potter franchise I would call truly great.

Tomorrow:

Fantasy to read or watch after Potter