Harry Potter - OK, Gonna say it....

[captainkidd]

I finally decided to start watching the films last week. 7 down, 1 to go. Having seen the films, let me first say, Universal's depiction of Harry Potter is absolutely amazing. The castle is just on a whole other level.

However, how in the world these movies are so popular, I don't get. Don't get me wrong, they're not bad movies, but kids really like these? From the beginning:

Sorceror's Stone - I can TOTALLY see where people would love this movie. It's great for all ages, is whimsical, funny, and very innocent.

Chamber of Secrets - More of the first, just a lot darker. OK.

Prisoner of Azkaban - Great film. I can see why people like this series.

Goblet of Fire - Very dark and depressing, however as a movie, my favorite in the series. Just can't see why kids would like it.

Order of Phoenix, Half Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows Part 1 - Could someone please unload my gun, as I'm so depressed after watching these 3, I could shoot myself. This is where they absolutely lost me. I was bored and miserable watching DH1 last night. If I hadn't invested 20 hours of my life into the first 7 films, I wouldn't even bother watching DH2. I don't even care how it ends any more. It's creepy, dark, disturbing, depressing, unhappy, confusing and boring now.

Rip away.

 

[Monty]

Although the movies are OK and stand on their own, they make a lot more sense if you've already read the books. I thoroughly enjoyed all the movies. :shrug:

That said, they certainly do get progressively darker and more depressing as they go along.

 

[captainkidd]

Although the movies are OK and stand on their own, they make a lot more sense if you've already read the books. I thoroughly enjoyed all the movies. :shrug:

That's what I've been told.

 

[maxairmike]

Keep in mind also that Harry is growing up in the series. The later books - and consequently, the movies - are supposed to be progressively darker and "adult," as the characters and the readers are also getting older. This is also why I really can't watch the first three without falling asleep, and I have a more difficult time reading the first few books, they're definitely more like children's stories than the later ones.

 

[G00fyDad]

Rowling realized after writing the first one that she had a huge mega hit and that adults loved her book too. So she began writing them darker as she went. Yes, she already had her plans laid out for the entire series before she started The Philosopher's Stone. But she made the subsequent books darker as they went to appeal more to adults. The very first book, The Philosopher's Stone, was indeed written for children but even she has said that the later books are geared more for adults. I, like amny others, prefer the books to the movies. They just screw the books up when they make a movie out of it. That being said, finish Deathly Hallows 2. You'll love the end.

 

[c-one]

Keep in mind when the books came out, too -- if you read the books as each new one was released, you'd also be growing up as the series progressed. At least I did. Sure, they're dark and depressing in parts, but that's what makes them among the best young adult literature of all time. Remember, it's not all about fairy tales and pixie dust.

 

[captainkidd]

Keep in mind when the books came out, too -- if you read the books as each new one was released, you'd also be growing up as the series progressed. At least I did. Sure, they're dark and depressing in parts, but that's what makes them among the best young adult literature of all time. Remember, it's not all about fairy tales and pixie dust.

I thought that was Twilight.

OH NO HE DIDN'T!!!!!

 

[c-one]

No -- but what you're talking about is the reason Harry Potter will be read 25 years from now and Twilight will be long-forgotten!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

The movies to me are nothing compared to the books. While the Wizarding World is a good depiction of what you see there...the stories in the books are far deeper and more meaningful.

 

[DisneyJoe]

The movies to me are nothing compared to the books. While the Wizarding World is a good depiction of what you see there...the stories in the books are far deeper and more meaningful.

The books must be read! Movies can be skipped.

 

[DDuckFan130]

I'm an English teacher and a big proponent of the "books are better than movies" speech. I've finished books 1-4 and I agree I wish some things should have been left in for the movie, but realistically it just can't happen. Goblet of Fire and Order of Phoenix would have to have been mini-series for the books' fans to be happy.

I'm pretty content with the portrayal in the movies so far, but you always have to separate the two or you'd be disappointed with every book turned movie :shrug:

What I have noticed is JK Rowling does seem to go on and on in certain parts, making me grateful the movies shortened it :lol:

 

[jonnyc]

I think you defiantely feel more attached to the characters if you have read the books, and I think the films lean on that due to the time restraints by not developing all the characters as Rowling did in the books.

You should hopefully enjoy the last film though, it is action packed and there are some great little character moments and some heartbreaking ones as well! As one of my friends described the last two movies: 'The first part is just 2 hours of them camping, but then s*** gets real in the second part'.

 

[pumpkin7]

i cannot stand to watch the first film... the acting from the kids is just painful.

 

[Blueskyze]

I love, love, LOVE the books (I was one of those nerds standing in line at midnight to get the last book...). And the movies, although they did have to leave out a lot of details. As far as book-to-movie adaptations go, I thought they did a great job. I'm going to WWoHP on Monday for the first time, and I am SUPER excited!

 

[UberMouse]

I started reading the books early last year and finished in August. I have to say they are up there with some of the best book series I have ever read. They come in second right behind the Dark Tower series by SK. The worst serial books I have read were the Lord of the Rings. My lord those were awful! Just for reference, I did a tally a few weeks ago and I have opened and closed 112 books since July 2004.

Also, I turn 35 in August ;-)

 

[ParentsOf4]

i cannot stand to watch the first film... the acting from the kids is just painful.

I think I'm one of the few who like the first film the best. Having never read the books, I enjoyed being introduced to the characters, places, and special effects for the first time during the first movie. Although I liked most of the other films in the series, the first movie in any franchise has the benefit of everything feeling "new". I thought the magic in HP1 was original and "cool". After that, it was just more of the same, sometimes done better but simply an extension of what I had seen in the first film. Kind of like riding any attraction at WDW, the first time is always the most fun.

 

[dennis-in-ct]

You have to read the books.

After the 7th film I felt I was not really "getting it" so I started reading the books. I would read a book and then watch the movie and so on. The first two books follow the movies pretty closely. By book three you really start missing out in the movies without having read the book. For example, the first 150 pages of book 4 goes by in 30 seconds of the movie.

I cannot say this more clearly. You need to read the books.

 

[DDuckFan130]

You have to read the books.

After the 7th film I felt I was not really "getting it" so I started reading the books. I would read a book and then watch the movie and so on. The first two books follow the movies pretty closely. By book three you really start missing out in the movies without having read the book. For example, the first 150 pages of book 4 goes by in 30 seconds of the movie.

I cannot say this more clearly. You need to read the books.

That's funny because I felt the same way. I've had the books for at least 2 years sitting there but never had the chance to read them. I'm on book 5 now and you're right. I found myself understanding some things better :lol:

 

[captainkidd]

Watched the final one a couple nights ago. It was good. While overall, the films were OK, I really don't see the obsession people have with them.:shrug:

 

[JillC LI]

You have to read the books.

After the 7th film I felt I was not really "getting it" so I started reading the books. I would read a book and then watch the movie and so on. The first two books follow the movies pretty closely. By book three you really start missing out in the movies without having read the book. For example, the first 150 pages of book 4 goes by in 30 seconds of the movie.

I cannot say this more clearly. You need to read the books.

I agree with this as well. As a latecomer to the series, I was able to watch each movie as soon as I finished each book. I literally finished the 7th book right before the first DH movie. I would definitely not have understood alot of what was going on in each movie if I hadn't had the benefit of reading the book first. So much of the plot is left out of the movies, understandbly so due to time constraints. They're good movies, but they're great books.