We head back to Hogwarts, and try and sort out the Harry Potter films.
Is Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets the best one, then?
This article contains spoilers for the Harry Potter movies.
TheHarry Potterfilms didnt need to be good.
The books were already a phenomenon.
Ad content continues below
The main reason I like these films is that theyre inherently silly.
Not the ostentatious quirkiness, which varies in quality, but the sheer daftness of the situation.
Its best not to take it too seriously.
Death isnt just relegated to the background; its dealt out at regular intervals and makes an impact.
At the Battle of Hogwarts they set fire to the Quidditch arena even though theres no one there).
Not too shabby, considering they didnt have to be that good.
Here then, in reverse order, is how I rank the films…
8. for example), and compared with the one-line extras in the Leaky Cauldron theyre practically Meryl Streep.
Its quite impressive watching them improve with age and grow into their roles throughout.
The main problems with the first film are not the acting, but the script and the music.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1
There are some brilliant moments in this one.
And then they go camping.
Splitting the seventh book into two films means the first part suffers hugely due to its abundance of nothing.
Eventually Ron comes back with everything that they need because otherwise this film would be nine hours long.
It opens with a big aerial shot of suburbia, demonstrating a visual eye lacking in the first movie.
The camera work is much smoother, impressive without being ostentatious.
Shorn of exposition duties, the script is able to lighten up.
Plot wise, though, the stakes arent that high yet.
Were still in fantasy romp territory here, its a simple story told efficiently.
Fawkes the plot-solving phoenixs arrival at the finale is not going to be a surprise to most viewers.
So, with that in mind, go and watchThis Sporting Lifeas soon as you’re able to.
Plus Lucius Malfoy has got camper, somehow.
Its a heady mix.
The overall effect is that nothing is allowed to breathe.
Michael Gambon can barely contain himself either.
Brendan Gleeson still wins the film, though.
SometimesHarry Potterreally needs Mad Eye Moodys grumpiness to cut through the tweeness and lame attempts at swearing.
Here, though, the word fallout is probably a bit tactless.
This is the one where Dumbledore dies and so, logically, its the funniest movie of the series.
The three leads display excellent comic timing.
As a drama, though, it seems oddly muted.
Its a very odd film, this one, structurally and tonally.
Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban
This film starts so well.
The film suits its breezier moments, but isnt quite up to its darker edges yet.
Nonetheless, this is a fan favourite.
Still, its bit cheapskate of Harry not to buy his own broomsticks, right?
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2
AKA Snapey Breaky Heart.
Its such a shame that Voldemort is a bit rubbish though.
And boy, is he not big on the details.
There are faults with this film, certainly.
Plus, unlike certain other Fantasy film series, it just ends.
Then theres Dolores Umbridge, whos just loathsome.
Imelda Staunton makes sure she gets right under the skin just by laughing.
