Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Harmonia (A) on December 01, 2005 at 23:57:04

In Reply to: Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire posted by edta on December 1, 2005 at 17:49:33:

1.) Prisoner of Azkaban/Alphonso Cuaron

First in my estimation by a considerable margin. One of my favorite John Williams scores too.

This is the only HP film which evokes for me the feeling/spirit of the books. The magic is contextual and slyly funny, the big scenes seem organic, not like a bunch of big fx moments all piled up together. You truly believe that Cuaron not afriad to be clever and arty and has dotted the movie with delightful grace notes and details (the bass singing toads of the Hogwarts Glee Club/the Shakespeare referenced song; the foxes on the hillside heading to Hagrid's cottage; the bloated Aunt spiralling away into the sky in a tiny corner of the frame as Harry stalks down his suburban street in adolescnet fury; the wizzard in the Leaky Cauldron reading "A SHort HIstroty of Time while magically stirring his te cup...and what was AHrry doing with his wand under the covers at Privet Lane?????)

Kloves & Cuaron couldn't completely get around some of Rowling's awkward plotting nor her prediliction for having characters spout long paragraphs of exposition at dramatic climaxes...but I think PoA improves on the book in many ways. I quite liked the additions and didn't fret over the deletions. David Thewlis' scenes with D. Radclifffe are among best and most touching in the entire series for me. And I positively live to hear Alan Rickman give three devilishly different line readings of "Turn to page 394" in the defense against the dark arts class. The Hypogriff is fab, although the werewolf seems in urgent need of skin ointment. Bring Cuaron back!!

Next in my pantheon of Potter flicks would be....

2.) Goblet of Fire/Mike Newell

Entertaining outing although it lacks the visual sophistication and wit of Cuaron's effort. Much of GoF seems pitched a little too high to me (Gambon's performance case in point), plus I missed Cuaron's fluid pacing - sometimes events in GoF seem to pile up rather untidily. Still, it has some good moments (e.g. the first task, quidditch world cup, Yule Ball) and Newell is quite deft with the light character bits. It remains far superior to the first two HPs and probably the most appealing to audiences who could care less about Cuaron's poetic moments. GoF will make scads of money.

However, I was longing to give Harry & Ron haircuts throughout the movie...the long dos were an unflattering mistake...and who decided on Fleur's look?! Yech. I never thought I'd say this, but I missed J. Williams! Found the score a bit pedestrian. (I can't believe I said it.)

Then waaaaaay below HP4 we find....

3.) Chamber of Secrets/Chris Columbus

Has its charms, mainly due to veteran cast (Snape, Snape I adore you), better FX than first, but rather clunky and leaden footed). However it is much better than...

4.) Sorcerer's Stone/Chris Columbus

Great casting. FX feel rushed. Camera static and action at the rather magnificent Hogwarts Academy of Witchcraft and Magic feels visually constrained. Clunky editing, too much exposition (although I grant you Koves had a near impossible task in satisfying young fans with this adaptation). It is literal and sincere where the books are witty and deadpan. Some of the reation shots are truly painful to watch now. Columbus is a hack - but this is his best movie.