harry potter, your thoughts

[jbat31]

I like fantasy movies and such, but have been reluctant to watch Harry Potter because it seems really geared towards kids. I love Lord of the Rings, but wondered what the general thoughts were from you guys. Is this a series for adults as well as children?

[pdjennings]

If Harry Potter is "just for kids"....... then Willy Wonka was made "just for infants".





Needless to say.... I love Harry Potter.

The books are AMAZING.

The movies are SPECTACULAR.

Pdj = Proud Potterphile

[Monterey Jack]

While I recommend starting with J.K. Rowling's novels, the Harry Potter films are terrific "all ages" fantasy fare. If you want orcs getting their heads hacked off, stick with Lord Of The Rings.

[RamonesGirl]

While the movies can in no way do the books justice, they are still very well made and a whole lot of fun. Really, it's worth at least a rental- adults can enjoy it just as much as the kiddies.

[wahlers]

From the point of view of somebody (me) who has not read any of the books:

I really found the movies to be so-so.

They seem overly long and flip between being sort-of boring kids talking about school, and actions scenes that seem overly important. In fact, most of the footage has a feeling of being more important than it really is, like it's trying to prove how important it really is.

I don't mind them. I wouldn't say they're bad, but neither would I say they're good. I buy them because my cousin and his daughter like them, and it gives us another thing to watch, but I really don't feel compelled to ever watch them again on my own.

You may also want to factor in that I'm not normally a big fan of fantasy books/films, etc.

[orf]

I think the story needs some more gore and maybe some masochism. Dancing Japanese girls would also do the movies wonders, too.

[rolisme]

Originally posted by orf
Dancing Japanese girls would also do the movies wonders, too.

Dancing Japanese girls does every movie wonders

Overall I thought the movie was enjoyable, good for watching with the family. But I wouldn't go so far as to say they are great.

[asphodel5]

I saw the first film in the theater. I'm not a fan of fantasy at all, but I found it to be entertaining. It seemed to have a pretty general appeal. I saw it with my family because we wanted to see what all of the fuss was about. We all enjoyed the experience, but it wasn't stunning enough to convert us to Harry Potter aficionados. I would give the first one a rental to see if you like it. I haven't had any desire to revisit it, so I can't recommend a purchase. I also didn't read the books, so I can't say if the films did them justice or not. I haven't seen the second one yet. I wouldn't mind seeing it, but I'm not going to go out of my way to see it any time soon. Maybe if I find out that it includes some Japanese school girls...

[SilentBob]

They aren't a bad series at all. I'm 20 and have seen both movies and plan on picking the 2nd movie up this Friday. I think for a kids movie that it works on all levels even for adults. I too thought the movies were a bit long but still didn't ruin the experience. It trully is a darker kids series that you should enjoy.

[PolloDiablo]

When I first saw Sorcerer's Stone I didn't think much of it, but after a few more viewings it definatley grew on me, and I actually went on to enjoy Chamber of Secrets much more than the first due to its darker and more serious tone. Now that Alfonso Cuarón (Little Princess, Y Tu Mama Tambien) is taking over as Director I'm extremely eager to see stylistcly (is that even a word?) where he'll take Prisoner of Azkaban, I always thought that there was emotionally something missing from the first two and hopefully Cuarón can bring that in.

I've just recently started reading the books and I must say they are really amazing, I suggest that anyone young or old give these a try.

[Nexus 6]

The books are pretty impressive. They really have a true sense of wonder to them, and can be enjoyed by anyone from 8 to 108 (although the later ones might be a little too heavy for the really young ones). The trick is that they are written in a way that children will understand, but not feel like they're being talked down to. Adults should appreciate the strong character development and skillful storytelling. I love them.

The films (so far), I've also enjoyed a great deal. They aren't perfect, and in fact their main flaw is in trying to follow the books too closely. Normally, I'm all for a film adaptaion of a book remaining doggedly faithful to its source, but these films do tend to try to squeeze in as much as they can. The result is that some of the plot threads can seem forced and irrelevant. Other than that, however, they are very entertaining.

You might give them a try. They're not quite Lord of the Rings (yet, at least ), but they're very worthwhile.

[PalmerJoss]

Originally posted by wahlers
From the point of view of somebody (me) who has not read any of the books:

I really found the movies to be so-so.

They seem overly long and flip between being sort-of boring kids talking about school, and actions scenes that seem overly important. In fact, most of the footage has a feeling of being more important than it really is, like it's trying to prove how important it really is.

I don't mind them. I wouldn't say they're bad, but neight would I say they're good. I buy them because my cousin and his daughter like them, and it gives us another thing to watch, but I really don't feel compelled to ever watch them again on my own.

You may also want to factor in that I'm not normally a big fan of fantasy books/films, etc.

I second this. The books were spectacular(I've already preordered my Book 5), but the movies left me wanting more(or less, actually). They were too long, so I wish Chris Columbus would cut the running time down at least 20 minutes. There have been plenty of wonderful adaptations of childrens books into a manageable running time(see Willy Wonka, Neverending Story, etc.).

Also, another problem I have with the movies is the same one I have with all other Chris Columbus movies--they lack a personal touch. Chris Columbus, to me at least, is one of the few successful directors in hollywood who has no visual style of his own. If you watch a Kubrick or a Spielberg movie you can tell that it is one of their movies because of the way they look and feel, but Chris Columbus movies do not have this sense. It could have been directed by anyone, and as a result left me detached from the picture, so I couldn't really get involved or even identify with the characters at all. The whole movie felt artificial to me.

One more problem I have is that the movie takes away all the magic of the books--it is impossible to read the books now and not see Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter or Alan Rickman as Severus Snape. It is also impossible to imagine anything from the books now because it has all been put up there on screen. I wish some details of the books had been left to the readers' imaginations, but Chris Columbus wanted to include as much as he could in the movie(and who can fault him)but he should have left a lot out of the movies IMO.

But don't get me wrong. Like I said I am a huge fan of the books and so I would like to own the movie adaptations, if not for me then for my young daughter who is just getting to the age when she will be interested in such things. I would reccomend the movie to others, but not too highly. They are good escapist fantasies, but the books are better.

[Monster]

i love the harry potter ,movies. a good movie for the whole family to watch, good story, has a bit of everything in it. rewatched the first part last night and it was better than when i did first watch it. cant wait for chamber of secrets i be buying that movie at 12:01 am at my local store...

[JakeLipson]

YES YES YES YES YES! As a Harry Potter geek, I cannot reccomend them more.

If you really want the full experience start with the book, and then see the movie. The movie is an exellent adaption.

[Moppy007]

I haven't read the books: I enjoyed the first movie enough, it was quite entertaining and there was a sense of wonder in it. However, I found the second movie very dull... perhaps i'd read the books my opinion might be different.

[deltau922]

I'm 28, married and no kids yet. I love all the Harry Potter books and both of the movies. I've been trying pretty hard to get into Lord of the Rings, but with Harry Potter, I didn't have to try.

[TheDarkling]

As a big time Harry Potter geek I love the movies, of course. I mean, they don't compare to the books but I think that they are great fantasy films that both fans and nonfans can enjoy, which I guess is important. Now as for the third film, I'm a little nervous. I just want someone to confirm or deny the absence of Quidditch in it.

[Triple HHH]

I only saw the first one, and I thought it was a little uneven but good overall. I think these movies are definitely enjoyed more if one has read the books (I haven't). There must be a thrill seeing the book characters come ot life on the screen.

The only thing I wish the book never deviated from was the omission of the dancing Japanese girls. I distinctly remember them from Chapter 12.

[tvboy]

I saw the two films before reading the books for my kids at bedtime. Then the grandparents read the books....
Excellent books.
Excellent films.
Great for the whole family - and not in a sugary, rated G way either. Just plain, good old-fashioned entertainment.

One question: why did The Chamber of Secrets not get an Oscar nomination? Terrific on many counts, it was sadly overlooked (especially for music score - that is one great theme!)

[Oscar Antonio M]

I really liked the first two movies.
The problem i had with the 2nd was that it was too damn slow and it lacked the magic of the first, but i still liked it better.

I would definetly recommend the movies and the books to anyone that has a good heart.

[electricsheep22]

The books are fantastic, all children should read them.

The movie's aren't bad, but what bothers me about them is the fact that they were made. I mean of course it was unavoidable, naturally they'll suck every profit they can from the books, but when books get that many children interested in reading, it kind of ruins it when they make a movie out of it so they can just be lazy again and not have to use their imagination at all. Before the movies came out, kids would read the books because they wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Now they don't have to. sigh. The movies are basically cliff notes versions of the books.

[MovieMan5021]

My Thoughts.......these movies in one word: SUCKS!

[C Roberts]

The movies are definitely made for kids (or could be called "family movies" which is the same thing really). The first Harry Potter movie I almost fell asleep during it was so boring and uninteresting. Couldn't bring myself to care about any of the characters one way or another. Haven't wasted my time viewing the second movie. :flush: