I speak from the perspective of someone who only read the first few books, but did see all the movies in pretty rapid succession in order to see the last one in the theater.
My favorite movies out of them all were (I think) #3 (prisoner), #6 (half-blood) and #7b (the final movie). The first two movies seemed pretty light fare to me and aimed at younger kids. I really sat up and took notice with #3. But there were just some key scenes in the very last movie that I still resonate with personally and that will stick with me a long time.
I'll have to do some re-watching to decide on a favorite. I'm leaning toward 1 or 6 for some reason.
Goblet of Fire is probably my least favorite. They all were going through that ugly/awkward phase. Makes it really hard to watch.
The best part of GoF for me was the whole bit around the cauldron at the end, with Harry and Valdemort meeting. For a kid's movie, that was part was surprisingly gruesome and even creepy.
My favorite is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix just for the Umbridge scenes.
I'll give you that. Umbridge... ick.
Random Harry Potter film fact for you guys. Alan Rickman (The actor for Snape, as if you didn't know) was clued in to Snape's secret past with Lily Potter by Rowling herself, who made Rickman promise not to tell anyone. Rickman included this past in his portrayal of Snape, even in the earliest films.
Yes. I think it was a smart move. I can't imagine anyone but Rickman doing the part, he was excellent (multi-layered performance), and it was important for that through-line to be there. That's why the memory scene in the last movie is so memorable and heart-breaking.
I also liked the fact that Dumbledore -- while being a force for good -- was not innocent. In fact, the only thing that kept him from coming off badly in regards to how he used Harry was the understanding that he was also willing to sacrifice himself when it made sense to do so.... he did not exclude himself from his own machinations.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was the best, followed by Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They all started going downhill after Chris Columbus left.
Yeah, sorry. I can't relate to that one iota, I have the exact opposite opinion.
The last 3 movies (6, 7.1 & 7.2) are a bit too dark than they need to be but are pretty decent.
Lol, that's a selling point for me, not a negative.
Not that I mind positive movies (I'm even a fan of the remake of "The Parent Trap" and "The Princess Diaries," sigh, among other things); for me, I guess I just think that if Valdemort is really as evil as portrayed, then the movies will necessarily be permeated by darkness; and of course, the darker things are, the more the light stands out. It's a tonal thing for me, and since the storyline wanted to grapple with this guy who was so bad that he killed and maimed others and took some pretty dark steps in order to "live forever," well, the movies should reflect it.
But it's why some parts resonated with me. The movie(s) deal heavily with loss, especially near the end, and as someone who has lost a lot, I recognized many of the lessons being taught. It authenticated the story for me.
