So I know that I've dropped the ball on the My Mission entries. I promise I'll start again soon. Until then though, Katy and I have slowly but surely been revisiting all the Harry Potter films on Blu Ray in anticipation of the final film coming out July 15th. I've seen them all before, but most of them only once, so its been nice to be able to see how far the franchise has really come from movie to movie.
It had been probably 10 years since I watched the first one, and before we put it in I was not expecting much, thinking it would be a fairly standard origin story albeit a little longer than most. So I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself really getting into it. Director Chris Columbus deserves a lot of credit for setting up the universe. Overall I think he is a mediocre director but he has put in a lot of care into this one, giving it a true sense of wonder as we meet these characters for the first time. It's definitely the most childish of the franchise, though that's kind of the point.
The second entry, Chamber of Secrets, is easily my least favorite of all the films. Columbus gives another solid effort, and the cast really is that much better this time around, but this movie just drags. Clocking in at 161 minutes, its the longest entry of the franchise and boy does it feel like it. Also, the climax feels too much like exposition than an actual climax and numbs the overall excitement.
They wisely switched things up for Prisoner of Azkaban though, bringing in Alfonso Cuaron to direct. This move proved to be a game changer for the franchise, as he was able to create a real sense of danger and unpredictability that the previous installments lacked. It also didn't hurt that Gary Oldman joined the cast.
Which brings me to Goblet of Fire. They switched the directors up again, this time hiring Mike Newel, who directed Donnie Brasco and Four Weddings and a Funeral. It's this entry where it really feels like the franchise has found its legs. The stakes are upped considerably from the previous entries, even dealing with death in a big way for the first time. Also, the pace has improved greatly from the first two films. Even at 157 minutes, Goblet of Fire doesn't feel that way thanks to some great relationships and a better, more intense story.
It's really interesting seeing them all back to back and it has definitely changed my opinion of the franchise from really liking it to loving it. Order of the Phoenix in next on the list so I'll be sure to continue the discussion ASAP.
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