Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was directed by Christopher Columbus and introduced us to an amazing world of magic and mystery. The three main characters who over time build a friendship of a life time, Harry Potter (Played by Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (played by Rupert Grint), and Hermione Granger (played by Emma Watson). These three were surrounded with an amazing cast including Headmaster Albus Dumbledore (played by Richard Harris), Professor Minerva McGonagall (played by Maggie Smith, Rubeus Hagid (played by Robbie Coltrane), Neville Longbottom (played by Matthew Lewis), Draco Malfoy (played by Tom Felton), and Professor Severus Snape (Played by Alan Rickman).
When the movie ended I was swept away by the story and the wonders of the world of magic. I was already excited for the next movie, not even sure if they were going to do another movie. I was constantly asking Lisa and my sister what happens to Harry, Ron and Hermione.
In 2002 I was excited to hear they were releasing the 2nd book in the Harry Potter series. So the same group of us went to the movies again.
This movie introduced us to several new characters that you either loved or hated like Dobby the House Elf, and Lucius Malfoy played perfectly by Jason Isaacs. I remember walking out of the theater telling Lisa, that was better than the first one and once again I was waiting for the next movie to be released.
2004 was when the third movie was released.
This movie introduced us to the great Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, and David Thewlis playing the role of Professor Lupin. Michael Gambon also took over the role of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore because of the death of Richard Harris. This movie also had on a new director, Alfonso Cuarón, and a much darker tone then the first two movies. Again as the common theme here is I walked out of this movie amazed and wanted more. I was ready to go back and see it again as soon as we walked out.
At this point Lisa and my sister cut me off with telling me what was happening in the next book. So as frustrated as I was due to the lack of information they were providing me and the fact that I am okay with spoilers and I ended up reading the 4th and 5th book in a week time frame while we were on vacation at Myrtle Beach.
In 2005 the fourth movie was released
The forth movie introduced us to major players like Alastor ‘MadEye’ Moody, played by Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes and the Dark Lord Voldermort. The movie also went with another director, Mike Newell. My first impression of this movie was utter disappointment. After I read the book I was so excited about so much and the movie left a lot out of it. However, I have since gotten over that disappointment and this movie is my favorite in the bunch. The story takes some amazing twist and turns and the surprises in the end would have had me fooled if it was not for reading that book. I can pick this movie up anywhere and watch it and be just as excited about the tri wizard tournament as I was the first time I saw it. Easily my favorite in the series. But the flood gates have been opened so I was now more than okay with being spoiled by reading my way through the rest of the series.
In 2007 the fifth movie was released
Lisa and I had to go see this one twice. The first time we saw this movie we arrived later than normal and ended up in the first rows and our neck was killing us and we were both getting kind of dizzy so the first time we watched the movie it clearly wasn’t as enjoyable as the second. This movie introduced us to another director, David Yates, who has stayed with the series until the end. The main character we were introduced to here is Delores Umbridge, who is played to perfection by Imelda Staunton. We were also introduced to Luna Lovegood, played by Evanna Lynch and two member of the “Order” Kingsley Shacklebolt, played by George Harris, and Nymphadora Tonks, played by Natalia Tena. Finally we meet the sociopath of the films Bellatrix Lestrange, played by Helena Bonham Carter. This was the movie Harry Potter became a leader and realized what was in store for him in the future. We also witness a battle that everyone had been waiting for between Albus Dumbledore and Lord Voldermort.
Warner Brothers at this point made a decision to delay the next Harry Potter film for two years. Part of the reason was because of the writer’s strike and the lack of “summer blockbusters” and I am sure the rest of the reason is due to money. The tried to spin it saying the wait between this Harry Potter film and the 7th would not be as long, but I still felt the wait sucked. However in 2009 the 6th movie was released.
David Yates was back to direct again, and really the only character we are introduced to is Professor Horace Slughorn who has a secret he is ashamed of that Harry must get him to admit to. This, to me, was supposed to be the Harry Potter version of the Empire Strikes Back. However, a lot was changed from the book to the movie. It’s still a good movie, but the pacing of the movie was a bit slow and there was not a whole lot of action in the movie.
The last book of the Harry Potter Series is really two different stories. The first part is the journey to destroy the secret from the previous movie and the second part is the final battle where sides must be chooses between the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix. Maybe it’s because I like conclusions but this book was hands down my favorite. However, this book had so many key points that needed to be in it the decision was made to split the film into two series.
In 2010 the first part of the last book was released.
In the first part of the movie we really are not introduced to any new characters. Well we are but most of them are villans. This movie find Harry, Ron and Hermione away from the comforts of Hogwarts and traveling to find the way to destroy Lord Voldermort
The last of the Harry Potter movies was released on July 15, 2011. I have yet to see it (Lisa and I plan on seeing it on Sunday at 12 noon) but it is already blowing away records. The opening night the movie brought in $92.1 million ($43.5 million from midnight showings) which destroyed Twilight Saga: New Moon previous opening day record of $72.7 million. A lot of people are expecting this movie to pass the Dark Knights opening weekend record of $158.4 million. I am really excited to see the final battle between good and evil. The excitement I have for this movie is the same excitement I had when Star Wars Revenge of the Sith came out. A feeling of sadness that its finally over, but on the other hand you are excited to see everything climax. When reading the final chapters of this book I could not put the book down there was so much happening. Then come the final moments between Harry Potter and Lord Voldermort and their battle alone did the series justice.
Its sounds weird but Harry Potter brought back a love of reading for me. My mom tells stories of how I used to read all the time, and with summer reading list and being forced to read books and stories that I had no interest in I really stopped reading and did not want to read anymore. It was easier to play video games. Harry Potter changed that for me. I started with the 4th book, and read straight through to the 7th book (I then went back and read the first three books) I have my kindle at my side because you never know when I can get a chance to read. I absolutely love it and love when I can get lost in a book again. I really do believe that JK Rowling helped me discover that again.
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