Harry Potter Overview
I only recently really got into Harry Potter thanks to the phenomenal last two films. After that I started reading the books expecting them to be much better than their movie counterparts. I really like the additional scenes and better explanations for the whole magical universe in the books, but I was surprised that the characterizations and dialogue was simply average at times, though by the last two volumes all that has improved immensely.
Films overall rating: 7.8
Books overall rating: 8.2
Films overall rating: 7.8
Books overall rating: 8.2
List activity
386 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
8 titles
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsDaniel RadcliffeRupert GrintEmma WatsonAn orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world.A very faithful adaptation for the first installment. The only main parts missing from what I remember were the History of Magic classes and Peeves the poltergeist. I guess you could complain that the child actors weren't that amazing which made the film feel a little more kiddish than the books, but they do all get sooooo much better through the films.
Film 7/10
Book 7.8/10 - DirectorChris ColumbusStarsDaniel RadcliffeRupert GrintEmma WatsonHarry Potter lives his second year at Hogwarts with Ron and Hermione when a message on the wall announces that the legendary Chamber of Secrets has been opened. The trio soon realize that, to save the school, it will take a lot of courage.The second book is quite a bit more detailed than the first, so the filmmakers understandably cut out a bit more here. I for one am glad they decided that polyjuice potion didn't affect the users voice, as it makes it much easier for the audience to relate to the different actors portraying the transformation; the technique was used brilliantly in the final two movies. The film overall is a bit darker than the first and I really liked that when I saw it the first time at just 12 years old myself.
Film 7.2/10
Book 8/10 - DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintHarry Potter, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their third year of study, where they delve into the mystery surrounding an escaped prisoner who poses a dangerous threat to the young wizard.The third Harry Potter book is outstanding, has wonderful humor from start to finish, and is what, 100 pages longer than the previous one... so the film cuts out perhaps 1/2 of the whole novel! Not only that, but the director decided to modify whatever remained, leaving the film and book almost completely separate works. Nevertheless, it is a good movie and my only other major complaint is there's some really cringeworthy acting in parts. Oh well, the music and visuals do help drown that out.
Film 7.4/10
Book 8.7/10 - DirectorMike NewellStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintHarry Potter finds himself competing in a hazardous tournament between rival schools of magic, but he is distracted by recurring nightmares.Okay, the book is gigantic and would have been impossible to fit into a 3-hour movie, but they did a pretty good job here. I guess they did leave out the house elves, most of Quidditch, and tons of classroom scenes, but all the plot important stuff is still there.
This was easily my favorite of the Potter films when I saw it first in '05; it felt so much more mature and the bit of romance and angst was done extremely well, when it could easily have fell flat.
Film 8/10
Book 8.4/10 - DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintWith their warning about Lord Voldemort's return scoffed at, Harry and Dumbledore are targeted by the Wizard authorities as an authoritarian bureaucrat slowly seizes power at Hogwarts.Okay, I have many complaints about the OOTP book, among them really stale and repeated dialogue, the fact that Harry screams at all his closest friends whenever he has the chance to (It's a miracle his friends were so understanding and didn't just shun him forever), a terrible job at describing and ending Harry's first romantic relationship (no depth), and above all, the manner which the book is written with the same sentences over and over and a plot that moves at a snail's pace; what should have been an epic battle in the Ministry was a dull read. That said, all the ingredients for a great book were there, it was just poorly done. With better editing it could have been perhaps 200 pages shorter and a lot more enjoyable.
The movie has a completely subdued Harry (in comparison, for one he doesn't trash Dumbledore's office in the end), does a much better job with the new villain Umbridge, and best of all has phenomenal acting. I wish the movie did have more scenes from the book, but that's my only complaint.
Film 7.8/10
Book 7.4/10 - DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintAs Harry Potter begins his sixth year at Hogwarts, he discovers an old book marked as "the property of the Half-Blood Prince" and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort's dark past.Gahhh, I deleted my original entry! I'll edit the rest of this later.
Film 7.6/10
Book 8.3/10 - DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintAs Harry, Ron and Hermione race against time and evil to destroy the Horcruxes, they uncover the existence of the three most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Deathly Hallows.First of all, the book is excellent, probably the best overall in the series. Part one of the film covers the first 500 pages, and for the most part, remains quite faithful to the source material. The changes that are incorporated make total sense and were necessary because the previous films left out some some important events. The other differences, such as minimal use of the invisibility cloak, polyjuice potion, and apparating (due to Ron's injury) also worked out great and at times improved upon the book's version of events.
My only complaint is the movie wasn't longer and that it explained more about Dumbledore's past and the goings on between everyone outside our little threesome. Nevertheless, this is a very minor complaint and the vastly improved acting from Rupert, Emma, and Daniel allow the film to shine brighter than any of the previous installments, JMO.
Film 8.4/10
Book 8.8/10 - DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintHarry, Ron, and Hermione search for Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes in their effort to destroy the Dark Lord as the final battle rages on at Hogwarts.Part two covers the final 250 pages of the book. The movie is outstanding and there haven't been many moments on film more impactful than the big reveal; Alan Rickman's role here (short though it is) is simply breathtaking. If I had a complaint about this film it's that the acting is so impressive that the visuals don't quite stand up to the same ground. Oh well, I'll take great actors over awe-inspiring visuals any day.
Film 8.6/10
Book 8.8/10