Member since:
March 2002
I think that the movie itself is a 9 or a 10 on our 10 scale, but the extras here are pitiful. They were made in the same way as the extras were for the first disc--some deleted/extended scenes, some interviews that Warner Bros. thinks are good enough to compensate for the lack of a good audio commentary or making-of documentary, some silly games with little re-play value, and some DVD-ROM content that will amuse only little children who do not get easily bored with repetitive tasks. Also, disc 1 only has 1 trailer!!! It doesnt even offer the teaser or the international trailer. Therefore, I can rate this set only an 8.
Still, I am very glad to see this movie on DVD. The one thing that I did not like about "Harry Potter 1" the movie was the Quidditch match--it had noticeably awkward computer animation, and it was unexciting. However, the Quidditch match in "Harry Potter 2" the movie is a stunning improvement over the one in the first movie. I recall that my good friend John Puccio (who wrote the DVD Town review) observed that the Quidditch match in this movie felt like a battle rather than a game--which is the point actually. :-)
Member since:
January 2003
I'm with John on this one, and I think a 7 might be generous.
I have hardly found this series to be classic up to this point. Hgh hopes abound for the upcoming Azkaban, but the thing sinking this ship is Chris Columbus' uninspired direction. A more fitting word might be "flat."
The first half of this movie is a direct rehash of the first one, but the second half is a fairly enjoyable suspense mystery. Definitely too extreme for younger viewers, but appropriate for teenage readers of Rowling's series.
It amazes me that such a magical story could be so utterly devoid of magic in movie form. I am looking forward to the directions both Cuaron and Newell take this series. I think their sensibilities could lend a refreshing and magical angle that this series has thus far lacked.
Sean (what's that song?...do you believe in magic?...)
Member since:
March 2004
Something wicked this way comes.
Book 3 is by many held the favorite. If the reviews so far indicate anything we're in for a much more edgy and dark tale. 90% on the tomato meter out of the 20 reviews so far.
Member since:
July 2003
To be fair, this movie is based off of the worst book in the series. In the book series, things from here on out take a much more serious tone, and flaky elements like a wizard using a sword are left behind.
Member since:
March 2004
Some quotes that caught my eye...
"One strange thing is that the entire geography of Hogwarts has entirely changed. Both Hagrid's cottage and the Whomping Willow are in totally different places from the previous movie. However, this is not to denigrate the art direction which seems to be better than ever. One major addition to the general set is the workings of the giant Hogwarts Clock, used as a backdrop or for fly-through again and again, to great effect"
"And Hogwarts itself has gone through a remarkable transformation. For the first time, it feels like a boarding school and not just like a series of remarkable sets, one after another. Cuaron's Hogwarts has dirt?? it has hillsides that students use as apparent shortcuts?? it has more realistic encounters between students. "
I really hope these "realistic encounters" means that Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw won't be completely ignored as in Secrets.
Member since:
January 2003
Olen,
I have only read the first book in the series, so I had no idea this was the weakest one so far. That bodes well for the rest of the series.
Ben,
I'm guessing these quotes are for Azkaban. What was the overall impression of the movie by the reviewer?
Sean (...psychic impressions as well if they are available...) ;)
Member since:
March 2004
Those were both taken from different reviews but both favored this movie over the previous two. So have most of the reviews I've read. A lot of people seem to be labeling the third installment the first movie to feel like a movie instead of a "staged reading".
Member since:
March 2002
If the third movie is as great as being proclaimed, then that just makes me Jim-Dandy-happy! I'm just as pleased as any Potter fan to hear it; however, I have no issues with the last two installments. They are both enjoyable films on their own merits and I find very little to pick apart between the two. If anything, none of the films in the series, so far, are a let down in any way. I think Potter has been a fortunate franchise and has never mislead its audience, even for those who find the need to compare it to the books.
Member since:
January 2003
Tim,
I think for me it's not about being a fan of the books (I've only read the first one), or even comparing the movies to the books for that matter. To me, you have two movies about a bunch of kids in training to be wizards, learning in a magical place, but the leaden directing up to this point has lent little if any magic to the stories at all.
I don't think they need to be completely fantastical or set in another world to have this quality. Even movies set in more mundane settings can have a "magic" about them. The first two Potter movies, though enjoyable to an extent, have struck me as very flat and uninspired lacking this "magic." They seem more like paint-by-numbers affairs with a decent story behind them than anything.
Sean (...of course, I was never very good at paint-by-numbers...can't count past 3...)
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