Cinematic Showdown #3: Potter vs LOTR

Cinematic Showdown #3 (Which Film Series Is Your Favorite?)

  • Harry Potter

    Votes: 11 42.3%

  • Lord Of The Rings

    Votes: 15 57.7%
  • Total voters
    26
  • Poll closed .
Darth Tater

Darth Tater

Well-Known Member
Original Poster


For the first two Cinematic Showdowns, we've looked at two individual films in comparison to one another. Now, to change things up a bit, we are going to compare two popular film series.

The Harry Potter & Lord Of The Rings franchises are undoubtedly two of the greatest sagas of all time.
-Both have extremely strong followings.
-Both redefined the fantasy genre.
-Both revolve around a young hero who, with the aid of his companions, goes out to face an unspeakable evil.
-Both have a guiding wizard figure which helps the hero in proceeding in his quest.
-Both have memorable musical scores that set the mood perfectly.
-Both brought popular fantasy books series to life like never before, and will forever be remembered as timeless adventures.


So which fantasy series is the best and why? Look at the entire saga rather than an individual film. Which brought their stories to life the best? Was it the mystery of Hogwarts or the mystique of Middle Earth that captured your imagination the most?
 
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acishere

acishere

Well-Known Member
The Lord of the Rings trilogy (I'm gonna ignore The Hobbit until that trilogy wraps) was breathtaking, told the story a lot better than the Potter films did, had incredible acting, and managed to make each film's 3 hour running time breeze by.

The HP movies had too many changes in quality (I didn't like the 2nd, 4th, or 5th that much) and the films just didn't present the story as clearly as LotR did. Some of the movies would not have made that much sense if I didn't read the books (4th and 5th movies were the worst offenders of this). The acting was weaker, but improved as the kids grew up and learned more about their craft. I guess having Gary Oldman yell at you does wonders on your ability to show emotion.

I do think the Harry Potter films have a better ending. Return of the King was great up until the resolution, then it kept going and going. It could have ended 8 different times before it actually did. Harry Potter wrapped up its story, gave us a brief emotional look at their life after, and then got out.
 
MOXOMUMD

MOXOMUMD

Well-Known Member
MerMom1981 said:
LOTR, because in the end, all is saved by love, not witchcraft.
Click to expand...
Witchcraft? You mean Wizardry, as in Hogswarts School of Wizardry? Harry was a wizard.

Harry was saved by the love and sacrifice of his mom.
Harry was protected by Snape because of his love of Harry's mother, Lily.
Dumbledore was mercifully killed by Snape, not because of the unbreakable vow, but because he loved him and they knew Dumbledore was dying.
It was Harry's love for Hermione and Ron that saved him from Voldemort finishing him off in the Ministry of Magic.
It was Harry's love for Sirius that they both were almost killed by the Dementors.
It was Ron's love for Hermione that brought him out of the coma after the poisoned drink.
It was Narcissa's love for her son Draco that she lied to Voldemort and said Harry was dead.
In the bonus footage Harry's aunt admits she loved her sister, Lily, Harry's mother.
I could go on, there's love all through Harry Potter.

In LOTR, the "love" factor was so skewed compared to the books. Arwen's scenes were totally fabricated for the movie. Yes, she was in love with Aragorn but in the books she had a very small role. The infatuation Eowyn had for Aragorn, written in for the movie. She unites with Faramir, who wasn't a bad guy in the books.

Having read both booksets numerous times and seen the movies to the point I know all the dialogue, I call my choice a draw. Having to choose just one hurts my brain.
 
Lightyear999

Lightyear999

Member
MerMom1981 said:
LOTR, because in the end, all is saved by love, not witchcraft.
Click to expand...
In LOTR all was saved because Gollum happened to show up and attack Frodo, and then get pushed off a cliff into the fire. That and flying eagles. And speaking of witchcraft, I see by your avatar that you like Little Mermaid. How again does the heroine in that film get to turn human and attempt to find and win her beloved prince?
 
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trr1

trr1

Well-Known Member
I own both on dvd and on flixster/VUDU/UVVU clouds(guessing the same company) I like them both the same amount but in different ways but if I hve to pick it would be harry potter
 
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Darth Tater

Darth Tater

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I voted for LOTR for many reasons: Cinematic quality, scenery, musical score, and overall story. Just an epic saga that is hard to top (imo). While Potter was a great series that captured many of those traits, I felt as if LOTR was a step above.
 

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