|
FEATURES:
Editorial Reviews:
Harry Potter 1 - The Philosopher's / Sorcerer's Stone
Here's an event movie that holds up to being an event.
This filmed version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,
adapted from the wildly popular book by J.K. Rowling, stunningly
brings to life Harry Potter's world of Hogwarts, the school for
young witches and wizards.
The greatest strength of the film comes from its faithfulness to the
novel, and this new cinematic world is filled with all the details
of Rowling's imagination, thanks to exuberant sets, elaborate
costumes, clever makeup and visual effects, and a crème de la crème
cast, including Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, and
more.
Especially fine is the interplay between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe)
and his schoolmates Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson),
as well as his protector, the looming Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane).
The second-half adventure--involving the titular sorcerer's
stone--doesn't translate perfectly from page to screen, ultimately
because of the film's fidelity to the novel; this is a case of
making a movie for the book's fans, as opposed to a transcending
film.
Writer Steve Kloves and director Chris Columbus keep the spooks in
check, making this a true family film, and with its resourceful hero
wide-eyed and ready, one can't wait for Harry's return. Ages 8 and
up. --Doug Thomas
Harry Potter 2 - The Chamber of Secrets
First sequels are the true test of an enduring movie
franchise, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets passes with
flying colors. Expanding upon the lavish sets, special effects, and
grand adventure of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry's
second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry involves a
darker, more malevolent tale (parents with younger children beware),
beginning with the petrified bodies of several Hogwarts students and
magical clues leading Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint),
and Hermione (Emma Watson) to a 50-year-old mystery in the
monster-laden Chamber of Secrets.
House elves,
squealing mandrakes, giant spiders, and venomous serpents populate
this loyal adaptation (by Sorcerer's Stone director Chris Columbus
and screenwriter Steve Kloves), and Kenneth Branagh delightfully
tops the supreme supporting cast as the vainglorious charlatan
Gilderoy Lockhart (be sure to view past the credits for a visual
punchline at Lockhart's expense).
The young,
fast-growing cast offers ample compensation, as does the late
Richard Harris in his final screen appearance as Professor Albus
Dumbledore. Brimming with cleverness, wonderment, and big-budget
splendour, Chamber honours the legacy of J.K. Rowling's novels. --Jeff
Shannon
|
Harry Potter 3 - The Prisoner of Azkaban
Some movie-loving wizards must have cast a magic spell on
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, because it's another grand
slam for the Harry Potter franchise. |
 |
Demonstrating
remarkable versatility after the arthouse success of Y Tu Mamá
También, director Alfonso Cuarón proves a perfect choice to guide
Harry, Hermione, and Ron into treacherous puberty as the now
13-year-old students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
face a new and daunting challenge:
Sirius Black
(Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison, and for reasons yet
unknown (unless, of course, you've read J.K. Rowling's book,
considered by many to be the best in the series), he's after Harry
in a bid for revenge.
This dark and
dangerous mystery drives the action while Harry (the fast-growing
Daniel Radcliffe) and his third-year Hogwarts classmates discover
the flying hippogriff Buckbeak (a marvelous CGI creature), the
benevolent but enigmatic Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), horrifying
black-robed Dementors, sneaky Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall), and
the wonderful advantage of having a Time-Turner just when you need
one.
The familiar
Hogwarts staff returns in fine form (including the delightful
Michael Gambon, replacing the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore, and
Emma Thompson as the goggle-eyed Sybil Trelawney), and even Julie
Christie joins this prestigious production for a brief but welcome
cameo.
Technically
dazzling, fast-paced, and chock-full of Rowling's boundless
imagination (loyally adapted by ace screenwriter Steve Kloves),
The Prisoner of Azkaban is a Potter-movie classic. --Jeff Shannon
|
Harry Potter 4 - The Goblet of Fire
The latest entry in the Harry Potter saga could be retitled
Fast Times at Hogwarts, where finding a date to the winter ball is
nearly as terrifying as worrying about Lord Voldemort's return.
Thus, the young wizards' entry into puberty (and discovery of the
opposite sex) opens up a rich mining field to balance out the dark
content in the fourth movie (and the stories are only going to get
darker). |
 |
Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) handily takes the
directing reins and eases his young cast through awkward growth
spurts into true young actors. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe, more sure of
himself) has his first girl crush on fellow student Cho Chang (Katie
Leung), and has his first big fight with best bud Ron (Rupert Grint).
Meanwhile, Ron's underlying romantic tension with Hermione (Emma
Watson) comes to a head over the winter ball, and when she makes one
of those girl-into-woman Cinderella entrances, the boys' reactions
indicate they've all crossed a threshold.
But don't
worry, there's plenty of wizardry and action in Goblet of Fire. When
the deadly Tri-Wizard Tournament is hosted by Hogwarts, Harry finds
his name mysteriously submitted (and chosen) to compete against
wizards from two neighboring academies, as well as another Hogwarts
student. The competition scenes are magnificently shot, with
much-improved CGI effects (particularly the underwater challenge).
And the climactic confrontation with Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes,
in a brilliant bit of casting) is the most thrilling yet. Goblet,
the first installment to get a
/
 rating, contains some violence
as well as disturbing images for kids and some barely shrouded
references at sexual awakening (Harry's bath scene in particular).
The 2 1/2-hour
film, lean considering it came from a 734-page book, trims out
subplots about house elves (they're not missed) and gives little
screen time to the standard crew of the other Potter films, but adds
in more of Britain's finest actors to the cast, such as Brendan
Gleeson as Mad Eye Moody and Miranda Richardson as Rita Skeeter.
Michael Gambon, in his second round as Professor Dumbledore, still
hasn't brought audiences around to his interpretation of the role he
took over after Richard Harris died, but it's a small smudge in an
otherwise spotless adaptation.--Ellen A. Kim
|
Harry Potter 5 - The Order of the Phoenix
At last! The fifth Harry Potter film has arrived. The time is
long past that this can be considered a simple "children's"
series--though children and adults alike will enjoy it immensely.
Starting off from the dark and tragic ending of the fourth film,
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix begins in a sombre and
angst-filled tone that carries through the entire 138 minutes (the
shortest of any HP movie despite being adapted from the longest
book). Hopes of winning the Quidditch Cup have been replaced by woes
like government corruption, distorted media spin, and the casualties
of war. As the themes have matured, so have the primary characters'
acting abilities. Ron (Rupert Grint), Hermione (Emma Watson), and
especially Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) are more convincing than
ever--in roles that are more demanding. |
 |
Harry is deeply
traumatized from having witnessed Cedric Diggory's murder, but he
will soon find that this was just another chapter in the continuing
loss he will endure. Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) has returned
and, in an attempt to conceal this catastrophe from the wizarding
public, the Ministry of Magic has teamed up with the wizard
newspaper The Daily Prophet to smear young Potter and wise
Dumbledore (Michael Gambon)--seemingly the only two people in the
public eye who believe the Dark Lord has returned. With no one else
to stand against the wicked Death Eaters, the Hogwarts headmaster is
forced to revive his secret anti-Voldemort society, the Order of the
Phoenix. This welcomes back characters like Mad-Eye Moody (Brendan
Gleeson), kind Remus Lupin (David Thewlis), fatherly Sirius Black
(Gary Oldman), and insidious Severus Snape (Alan Rickman), and
introduces a short list of intriguing new faces. In the meantime, a
semi-psychotic bureaucrat from the Ministry (brilliantly portrayed
by Imelda Staunton) has seized power at Hogwarts, and Harry is
forced to form a secret society of his own--lest the other young
wizards at his school be left ill-equipped to defend themselves in
the looming war between good and evil. In addition, Harry is filled
with an inexplicable rage that only his Godfather Sirius seems to be
able to understand.
This film,
though not as frightening as its predecessor, earns its PG-13 rating
mostly because of the ever-darkening tone. As always, the loyal fans
of J.K. Rowling's books will suffer huge cuts from the original plot
and character developments, but make no mistake: this is a good
movie. --Jordan Thompson
|
Harry Potter
6 - The Half-Blood Prince
During Harry Potter's 6th year at Hogwarts, Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the
Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no
longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects
that dangers may even lie within the castle, but
Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for
the battle that he knows is fast approaching.
Together they work to find the key to unlock
Voldemort’s defences and, to this end, Dumbledore
recruits his old friend and colleague, the well
connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor
Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial
information. |
 |
|
Emboldened by the return of Lord Voldemort, the
Death Eaters are wreaking havoc in both the Muggle
and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the
safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that new
dangers may lie within the castle, but Dumbledore
is more intent upon preparing him for the final
battle that he knows is fast approaching. He needs
Harry to help him uncover a vital key to unlocking
Voldemort's defences, critical information known
only to Hogwarts’ former Potions Professor, Horace
Slughorn. With that in mind, Dumbledore
manipulates his old colleague into returning to
his previous post with promises of more money, a
bigger office…and the chance to teach the famous
Harry Potter.
Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a
very different adversary as teenage hormones rage
across the ramparts. Harry’s long friendship with
Ginny Weasley is growing into something deeper,
but standing in the way is Ginny’s boyfriend, Dean
Thomas, not to mention her big brother Ron. But
Ron's got romantic entanglements of his own to
worry about, with Lavender Brown lavishing her
affections on him, leaving Hermione simmering with
jealousy yet determined not to show her feelings.
And then a box of love potion-laced chocolates
ends up in the wrong hands and changes everything.
As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof
with far more important matters on his mind. He is
determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one.
Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and
Hogwarts may never be the same again.
|
|
Harry Potter 7.1 - The Deathly Hallows pt1
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final
adventure in the Harry Potter film series,
is a motion picture event, told in two
full-length parts.
Part 1
begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on
their perilous mission to track down and
destroy the horcruxes---the
keys to Voldemort’s immortality.
|
 |
|
|
On their own, without the guidance or
protection of their professors, the three
friends must now rely on one another more
than ever. But there are dark forces in
their midst that threaten to tear them
apart.
Meanwhile, the wizarding world has become a
dangerous place for all enemies of the Dark Lord.
|
 |
The long-feared war has begun and Voldemort’s Death Eaters seize control of
the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts,
terrorizing and arresting anyone who might
oppose them. But the one prize they still
seek is the one most valuable to Voldemort:
Harry Potter. The Chosen One has become the
hunted one as Voldemort’s followers look for
Harry with orders to bring him to the Dark
Lord…alive.
Harry’s only hope is to find the horcruxes
before Voldemort finds him. But as he
searches for clues, he uncovers an old and
almost forgotten tale--the legend of the
Deathly Hallows. And if the legend turns out
to be true, it could give Voldemort the
ultimate power he seeks.
|
|
Harry Potter
7.2 - The Deathly Hallows pt2
Harry Potter and
the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 is the final adventure in the Harry
Potter film series. The much-anticipated motion picture event is the
second of two full-length parts.
In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of
the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have
never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may
be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to
the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort.
It all ends here. |
|
|
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 stars Daniel Radcliffe,
Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, reprising their roles as Harry Potter,
Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The film's ensemble cast also
includes Helena Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, Robbie Coltrane,
Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Ciarán
Hinds, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Matthew Lewis, Gary Oldman, Alan
Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters
and Bonnie Wright.
The film was directed by David Yates, who also helmed the
blockbusters Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter
and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -
Part 1.
|
|
-
Encoding:
Region FREE
-
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
-
Studio:
Warner Home Video
-
Format:
Closed-captioned, Colour, Dolby
Subtitled, Widescreen
-
Special Features:
- The complete 8-part documentary series
- ‘Creating the World of Harry Potter’
- Additional scenes
- Interviews with J.K. Rowling and the filmmakers
- Tours of Hogwarts Secrets
- Moviemaking Magic Uncovered
- Warner Bros. Maximum Movie Mode
-
Languages:
-
Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone
-
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
-
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
-
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
-
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
-
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
-
Languages: English (Dolby TrueHD 5.1)
French, German, Italian, Castilian, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese,
Catalan and Flemish, ( All at Dolby Digital 5.1 448kbps )
-
Subtitles: English, French, German, Italian, Castilian, Dutch,
Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
-
Special Features
Audio: English
Subtitles: English, French
-
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 7pt1
-
Languages: English (dts-hd ma 5.1)
Czech, Catalan and Castilian ( All at Dolby Digital 5.1 640 kbps )
-
Subtitles: Swedish, Slovakian, Norwegian, Icelandic, Finnish,
Danish, Czech, Castilian, English for hearing impaired
-
Special Features
Audio: English
Subtitles: Dutch, Castilian, French, English for hearing impaired
-
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 7pt2
-
Languages: English (dts-hd ma 5.1)
Slovakian, Czech, Catalan, Castilian ( All at Dolby Digital 5.1 640
kbps )
-
Subtitles: Swedish, Slovakian, Norwegian , Icelandic , Finnish,
Danish, Czech, Castilian, English
-
Special Features
Audio: English
Subtitles: Turkish, Slovakian, Russian, Croatian, Portuguese, Romanian,
Litvanski, Polish, Hungarian, Latvian, Czech, Estonian, Bulgarian,
Chinese, Korean (?),Castilian, Dutch, German, English, French, Italian
-
Note: There
are different subtitles on different films. Castillian subtitle is
only available for films 6 - 8.
Number of discs: 16
|
