The Potter Line-up

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good. 


Since Harry Potter series have come to an end, it's fair to rate all eight movies. Starting from the least liked, until my ultimate favorite. Counting down!

8. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Definitely the worst of the series, I wonder why did the critics gave this one pretty good reviews. Story flow is a bit boring compared to the other seven, too much portion for romance. I was hoping more Snape and of course a small battle in Hogwarts. David Yates acted like a false God by changing and cutting important events from the book. rated C-


7. Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix (2007)
As a book adaptation, this sucks. But as a movie, it's quite amazing especially for a first-timer like Yates. His decision to focus on Harry's struggle is questionable. A conflict about Ron and Hermione being student prefects and Harry isn't can support his struggle. And also, no Quidditch! I'd like to see Malfoy beaten up by Fred (or is it George?) and Harry during Quidditch. Best thing in this film is the fight choreography. rated B


6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
The problem with the first two films is that they are too faithful to the book, that could make the movie interesting with small details but also boring with too many details. But this one deserves it all, this one started everything that lasted for 10 years. Wingardium Leviosa, not leviosar. rated B


5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
More dangerous and darker, also it is the longest entry in the series. When I first watched it, it gives me the chill (Basilisk's voice is too scary for second graders). rated B+


4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)
This one could either go down or make it to top 3, I need to watch it again. I was thinking that this one's better than Goblet of Fire, but due to sooooo much difference to the book, this could only make the top four. I was waiting for duels and more fights and others (look to the previous post). But it was one of the best 131 minutes of my life, and David Yates, I wouldn't mind if you give me 200 minutes of Deathly Hallows Part 2. Just like Order of Phoenix, as a movie this one's amazing. rated A-


3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
This one's got it all. The action, the adventure, and Lord Voldemort kills Edward Cullen. It would be a sin to say that this is not one of the best cinematic experience you've ever had. rated A


2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010)
This film is just beautiful; the story, the score, the scenery, everything. rated A


1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
THE BEST. Thanks to Alfonso Cuaron, this one's is a game changer. It sets the tone for the rest of the series and also a scenery change for Hogwarts. Beautiful. rated A+

Mischief managed.

End.

After half a year without major studios' film releases, ranging from Black Swan to Captain America, a spark of hope emerges with the release of the eighth, second-seventh part and finale of the Harry Potter adventure: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. It took a bit of effort to get the tickets since everyone in the country is crazy for seeing it. I bought tickets 2 days in advance, which I never done it before especially here in Indonesia. But I dont care as long as I get to see it. In 24 hours time, I saw the movie twice. The story continues where the beautiful Part 1 left off, Part 2 go straight to the action and story. Starting by breaking to Gringotts and sneaking to Hogwarts through a secret passage. Still continuing the quest from Half-Blood Prince which is to destroy all of Voldemort's Horcruxes, Harry Potter must also join the grand fight between the good and evil.

I learned that the seventh part of the Harry Potter saga, Part 1 and Part 2 are like wine. It grew better if you watch them more than once. Part 2 was a satisfying ending indeed. Everything falls perfectly in place and if you are not a book reader but you follow the films it will leave you satisfied. Best performance(s) in the films goes to Alan Rickman as Severus Snape. He has demonstrated the cold yet vulnerable double agent (oops spoiler) perfectly as shown in the Pensieve flashbacks and also the earlier seven films. Other best performances go to Helena Bonham Carter as (my favorite!) Bellatrix Lestrange and Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort/Tom Riddle. Helena B. Carter never fails to deliver Bellatrix in her total insanity from the fifth film but when Hermione Polyjuiced (i dont know if there is any term) as Bellatrix, Helena Bonham Carter truly embodies Hermione/Emma Watson. As for Ralph Fiennes he is the master of antagonist characters, starting from Amon Goeth to Hades of the new Clash of the Titans. There are some best moments of the films which I am going to spill out: the Gringotts' dragon scene, Snape vs. McGonagall (i wished it would be longer), shielding Hogwarts, Snape memories in the Pensieve, Harry Potter's death and of course 19 years later.


What left me incomplete is that the Steve Kloves chooses to leave many book elements off screen. In the film,the battle seemed to quick whereas the book pictured it to be highly epic (the film is already epic, so imagine the book version would look like). I once hoped for a Nearly-Headless Nick cameo when Harry went looking for The Grey Lady. Also I hoped for Mandrakes attack by Professor Sprout. And how about the duels, how about Grawp, about Buckbeak, about Firenze, about Invisibility Cloak oh and so many more! David Yates continues to irritates me since he helmed Order of Phoenix. I still thinks he is the wrong choice to direct Harry Potter films. I mean among other directors out there, why would Warner Bros. settle for Yates? But this last chapter actually serves as his apology to Potter fans (although I'm not still that satisfied). Oh and I need more Luna, more Aberforth, more Slughorn, more Malfoy, more Fenrir Greyback! and ultimately more Cho Chang. Skip to other things, thank you Alexandre Desplat for bringing back the real Harry Potter theme by John Williams. Despite all the book differences, I want to see it for the 3rd time and 4th time and more, so Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, rated A