Harry Potter Movie Series

Synopsis

Harry Potter is told, after years of emotional abuse from his Aunt and Uncle, that he is a wizard. With this announcement, he is enrolled into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but that comes with some new problems. The first is that he needs to learn this new world with the friends he has met, and the second and most important is how to survive a dark wizard looking to become the most power wizard of all time.

Review

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone <–- Link to Review Here

ABC Family TV has basically made the holidays a Harry Potter marathon and since I have been doing a lot of traveling and the announcement of the Harry Potter TV show I thought it was appropriate to watch them again. With that, this series starts off with a bang at a 7 or 8. My mom has found memories of these movies. No language, no sex, and it is designed for families. The violence is mostly slap stick in the early ones. My dad on the other hand does not like the content. I can VIVIDLY remember being at Sam's Club when I lifted up the box for either World of Warcraft or Warcraft 3 and my dad saying "We will not have any games about witchcraft in the house". I was very confused.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets <–- Link to Review Here

It is about right here that I regret trying to watch all these movies. I know that I am only 2 in, but this one is just so slow. The special effects of using dummies that are painted to look like the characters rather than using CGI is a huge lift to what could be a CGI heavy movie. I have some issues with the snake, specifically the fact that the snake can smell Harry, but a singular thrown rock is enough to distract this apex predator? It just doesn't make sense to me. No language, a little more violence with an adult attempting to straight up kill a kid, and that is about it. My dad is still not interested in the content, but isn't apposed to it.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban <–- Link to Review Here

This is my wife's favorite movie in the series. I am not sure I agree with that assessment, but it is better than I remember. Having just read [[03 - Projects/Media Reviews/Books/Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Book]] I know that there are some decent changes that I both like and don't like in the scene with Sirius and Lupin explain to Harry what is going on. This is where I think my dad would start to get interested. There is a bit more mystery and suspense than the previous ones. My mom also really enjoys this one if I remember correctly.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire <–- Link to Review Here

This is probably my favorite of the early portion of the series. I know it isn't the best, but I enjoy it. It is very entertaining and really shows how dark the world is becoming and was when Voldemort was basically ruling the world. So, as an aside, I watch this in IMAX with my oldest brother when it came out and looking back, I never recognized how dark the movie was. When he mentioned it while we were driving home I thought he was talking about the brightness. I was dumb, and this is one of my favorite memories. Even with how dark this movie is, and the introduction of a couple curse words (damn and ass), there is nothing objectionable about this movie for my parents.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix <–- Link to Review Here

This is another one of the movies that, while I appreciate it, just doesn't sit right with me. There is just too much that I felt was important in the book, that isn't in the movie and kills some of the momentum. I don't mind the acting, I don't mind the CGI, I just felt the story was missing something to fill it. No sex, obviously. No real language. Violence is higher than normal, but the blood is limited. I see no reason for them to object to any of this series, but it just isn't my dad's cup of tea.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince <–- Link to Review Here

This one is an easy 8 and that is exactly where Rotten Tomatoes and Audiences' put it. Like I said, there is some great acting and great styling in the visual story telling. I didn't mention Tom Felton, but he needs his own shoutout as this is the first movie where he doesn't feel like a thrown together character. As with the previous ones, this isn't something my dad would watch. However, based on the rules this is something that is approved by both of them.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 <–- Link to Review Here

The final two scenes with Dobby and Voldemort are super powerful and really give you an excited sense of what is to come. I want this to be a 9, but I know feel there are some pacing issues during the middle of the movie with the camping spots. It isn't crazy, but it does take away from the rest. There is an intense kissing scene with suggested nudity (There was no reason for it), but I don't think it would detract my parents from watching it. The action is good and more comical, with a couple scenes of death/blood, but it doesn't overwhelm the movie.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 <–- Link to Review Here

I really like this movie. Part of it is because after 8 movies, I am happy it is done. Mostly though it is because this is the way you finish a movie series. A complete story, a great finish (If you ignore the epilogue scene) to an emotional, dark and gritty story. The language is also more prevalent and while it is UK slang, it is said in such a way that I think my parents would understand what is trying to be said. Like my mom told me at a Home Depot in my middle school days, "If you are going to say 'frick' or 'freaking' you might as well say the actual word."

My Rating

This is going to be, if it isn't already, a classic for Millennials. We grew up with it, ABC Family plays it every holiday. It is just a great set of movies that ends so well. There are some parts that are not the greatest, and some massive changes as compared to the book, but it is overall worth every second of watching. The series overall is an 8.

Parental Rating

Overall, this series is going to be approved by both. My mom will have some nostalgia with these movies and with the family element in these movies she will for sure be in. My dad again won't watch this on his own, but he enjoys the story, and it stays within his rules.

Want to get a hold of me?
Email | reviews@epicscreentime.com

None of the link provided are sponsored or affiliate links, unless otherwise notated.