What Elements of the First Two Films did You Love?

[hawk1245]

This is a companion thread to "What Emement from the First Two Films Did you Not Like?"

Well heres the counter subject. Feel free to discus! Here is my personal list:

Casting.

Set Design (whoa!)

Music (Agin, Whoa!)

Story progression from movie to movie (well done, and Cauron apears to be picking up nicley on that)

Acting (I thought the acting was very good, I know many of you disagree, I thought the casting was near perfect and that they kids did an admirable job)

HOGWARTS IN GERNERAL! Wow! I loved Hogwarts in the films, it is beautifull!

Okay, now your turn:)

[Cat]

Sets, props, special effects (except for Fluffy, he was like Scooby Doo but less scary), costume design and casting.

I liked a lot of things.

I wish they would include more about the design element in the special features of the DVDs. The sketches in the COS one were great. I want more! They probably think we 'kids' don't care.

[hawk1245]

Sets, props, special effects (except for Fluffy, he was like Scooby Doo but less scary), costume design and casting.

I liked a lot of things.

I wish they would include more about the design element in the special features of the DVDs. The sketches in the COS one were great. I want more! They probably think we 'kids' don't care.

I know! I think POA 's dvd will be better, becasue that film is aimed at a bigger audience. Did you see the sketchs n the PS/SS DVD? One has the One Eyed Witch soon to be seen again in POA!

[Muggle Tiff]

It's so hard to say, I really liked a good majority of it all.

I thought Quidditch was good in the first movie, but in the second movie it was sooooo much better. My least favorite thing is the animation effects they do to save time/money that could be done by actors and look more real. In the first movie they could have had more actors doing the stuff, as opposed to the CG players...like the CG Oliver Wood falling and so on. But I just love Quidditch anyway, so I've got my fingers crossed for a great scene in POA.

I think the kids were good in the first one, but even better in the second. Of course all of the adults were really good, being the stellar cast that they are anyway.

Lighting was great in the second movie, but I think it'll be even better next time.

I think my very, very fave is costumes...although I was a bit disappointed that Fudge didn't have his lime green bowler. Ah well.

[swishandflick]

I watched the movies before I read the books, so I kind of had a different perspective watching them then compared to watching them now. Before I read the books, I thought (and still think) that Hogwarts was really beautiful, especially the snow. I also liked the Ford Anglia and Hedwig. After reading the books, I really like how Dumbledore was portrayede (Rest in Peace) and I like Dobby alot.

[Dedalus]

I loved ...

1) All the production design stages, including sets, props and creatures. It was all fantastic beyond my imaginings, and I do regret that they didn't show a lot of it off as best they could, either by actually showing more of it in the film (rather than a lot of close-ups of faces!) or, as Cat said, paying more attention to it all on the DVD. Most of it was designed beautifully. The only thing I didn't like out of all of it was that Hogwarts doesn't look a lot like an early castle, since it can't be filmed in one.

2) The costumes. They're all so cool! For all of the reasons above, really, just that they're beautifully done. They can really go to town with wizard wear, since wizards dress rather finely and richly, but they did some great things with a lot of the more interesting costumes too - Lockhart's, I liked, because it looked a bit like a 1700s gentleman outfit, which really fits Lockhart. He's a peacock.

3) The casting is great. I've heard people accuse them of sychophanting since a lot of the actors are very famous, but that's just mad because they're all right for the parts, whether they're celebrities or not. They all do great jobs, and are often very suited to it in themselves anyway. And they never disappoint me! They keep on casting people who I'd want for the parts!

4) Quidditch and Diagon Alley. Both these things are my favourite things in the films, because they're done so well. I love how they adapted Quidditch, and carried it out, and I love the designs for it, of the balls and the gear and the pitch, and I liked Diagon Alley's designs, with the shops and the people in it. It looks like some slightly surreal Dickensian scene. I only recently discovered the bit on the second DVD where you can tour Diagon Alley ... wow!

[hawk1245]

I think my very, very fave is costumes...although I was a bit disappointed that Fudge didn't have his lime green bowler. Ah well.[/QUOTE]

Fear not! :) If you look at Fudges hands as he walks into Hagrid's hut he is holding his Green Bwoler hat! I noticed this recently!I was soooo exited, becasue I, like you, thought they had left that out. Maybe he will be wearing it in POA.

[Picko]

I loved:

Set design and costumes.
The Score.
The casting for the adults.

[lorna]

Hands down the casting. I think the three principles are very well cast. You can always quibble but the trio clicks on screen and that's what counts.
And surrounding them with the adult cast they did was a wise move too.

[hawk1245]

Hands down the casting. I think the three principles are very well cast. You can always quibble but the trio clicks on screen and that's what counts.
And surrounding them with the adult cast they did was a wise move too.

FINALLY! Someone who agrees with me! I was think that me and my best friend were the only HP fans who thought Dan, Rupert, and Emma were great as the trio. I salute you :)

[brisa]

Well...I love HP story...

My fav elements are:

HP1: Quidditch, simply the best sport in the "world", cause we could feel the emotion of being flying since Harry went on the first Quidditch game..And Hogwarts is simply beautiful...all stages...I love castles...and my fav scene is the lake where the kids went across it and then they saw Hogwarts school...Wonderful..

HP2: I have to recognize that it isn't my fave book but it is one thing I loved in movie...the entrace of the Chamber of Secrets to the little lake...with all those snake heads at both sides of it..amazing...and the Basilisk...wow..I have a kind of fascination with snakes...I like it's elegance and charm :cool: well probably you think I'm kind of mad but I loved it...

HP3: An for this movie I'm sure that will be wonderful...Cuaron is an excelent director...personally I think he should direct HP4 cuase he has a perfect mind for this kind of films, he knows exactly how to share with us what is in his mind..but.. it is not my decision...well I am a big fan of him...I'm Mexican :agree:

[hawk1245]

What I think is cool about Hogwarts is that it is forever changing. It is slightly different looking in each film. Dumbdlroe apearently remodels it for new tasks ever year! In COS, the quidditch stadium is clearly being renovated (you can see buckets and shovels in the trench) and also, the greenhouses were built for proffessor sprout to do her class, she must have done it elsewhere before. In POA the castles turrets have been extended upon, and a clocktowers was built. Hagrid's hut also had a bit of extenssion. The certainly fits Dumbledore's character, dosn't it?

[true_heir_of_slyth]

I think the adults in the cast were wonderful. Everyone was really suited to their roles, and they're a top class set of British actors :D

[Moontrimmer]

1. Faithfulness to the books. The thing I think that pleased me the most about these fiilms was the detail and dedication to the plot. I'm re-reading PS, which I haven't in while and I am amazed at how much they actually kept in the movie. I think thats greaat.

2.The cast- I know I said a negative thing or two about the cast in the other thread. But as I said before, that was manly due to directing. In fact, I thought everyone did great in the first film. It was really the second film where they didn't seem to be the characters they were in the books(Hermione) Perhaps it was just the diologue and such.

3.. Music- Perfectly magical in every way, as it should be.

4. Set design, costumes, etc- GREAT. Fabulous detail.


Scenes in the movie that were done well:

Philosopher's Stone:

Harry in Ollivanders- This was always one of my favorite scenes in the movie, as I always thought it was done really well. It captured the eeriness and wonder when it is found that the one that is suitable for Harry is the brother to the one that killed his parents. Olivanders "I wonder.." line came off really well.

Harry and the mirror of Erised- Excellent. The scene where he reaches out to touch the mirror is almost tearjerking, a well as the scene with him sitting in front of the mirror. I wish they would have kept DD's sock line in it though. But I really liked Harris' performance in the scene anyway.

CHamber of Secrets-


Lockharts entrance into the classroom- Hilarious. Kenneth Branaugh is every inch the Lockhart that was in the books. I love the pictures of himself strewn about the walls, and the music is spot on.

Harry in the Chmaber- There is a very brief scene after Voldemort is gone and Harry is on the floor holding his arm. Fawkes flys down to him and there is a close up of both looking at each oher. I don't know why , but I love it. Great closeup, and I love the music there as well.

[hawk1245]

Here are my favorite SCENES:

HP1: Mirror of Erised, The final battle with Voldemort, Quidditch (even though the graphics weren't that good, it was still awsome!), THE CHESS SCENE! Man! That was Rupert Grint's best scene out of both films, all three kids were wonderfull n that scene, my fav of movie 1!

HP2: Aragog, The battle of words between Harry and Riddle (did you notice that Tom riddle phrases thing exactly like Voldy did in film1?), All scenes with Lucious! He was awsome (in an evil way), the scene where Harry and Ron are reading Hermiones note about the basilisk. The acting was very good in that scene (especially when Harry pauses and thinks, VERY convincing).

HP 3: I know, I haven't seen it yet, bet her is my trailer list. The boggart scene! LOL. The dementors on the train, and Aunt Marge.

[daniel4hp]

Okay, I've added a poll just to provide a "snap shot" of what people liked. Don't feel restricted by it, but I thought it might make a good addition to the thread. Note that you can select multiple elements.

The things I liked:
The score
The set design or choice of locations
The costume design
"Seeing" Harry Potter
The best part was just seeing Harry Potter on the screen. For me, this is the main redeeming factor for the films. However, as indicated above, I do think the film had other merits. The score, set design, and costume design are certainly not perfect, but their main purpose is to further the vision of the film put forth by the director, and in this regard, they did well. I would have done them differently, but there really isn't anything objectively wrong with them, and since they were well done and benefitted the film, I think they served their purpose. I didn't "love" any elements, but these were the better ones.

[Flobberworm]

I voted for the score, the sets, and the costume design.

I thought the score is just amazing. It sounds so magical and really fits the tone of the stories perfectly.

The sets were just brilliant as well. They're almost exactly like how I pictured Hogwarts to look like. Harry Potter is one of those movies that you can watch with the sound turned off and still fully appreciate it. I wish they had put more of the set design in the DVD, I just loved that.

I also loved the costumes. I really like the idea of the uniforms with the different ties and badges for the person's house. The quidditch uniforms are also wonderful. They're completely different from how I thought they would look, but I love them.

[RoseEvanesca]

I love the costumes, especially Snape's.
The set is gorgeous, it all cosy and grand.
But to me the music works better as an album than a sounds track, i love hte Diagon Alley Music and Lockhart's Theme.

[hawk1245]

[QUOTE=RoseEvanesca]I love the costumes, especially Snape's.
QUOTE]

LOL! Did you notice that SNape wears the EXACY same costume in ALL three movie, Exept in a few scenes? The one I am talking about is the one with the white cuff-links on the sleeves. He wears that EXACT costume through most of the three films (you cna see every time Snape apears in the trailer). The only exeption is the duiling club scene in COS and the potions class in PS/SS. And those MAYBE the same one with/without the same cape! Dosn't have much of a wardrobe, huh?

[LumosSoleil]

Great thread! Especially that it shows appreciation and celebrates the fact that these films were even made.

I have to say, I love almost everything from these 2 movies. When I first saw them, my jaw just dropped. They were just how I imagined them to be.
I guess faithfulness to the books isn't a bad thing. We need the faithfulness for the first 2 stories. The interpretation on the big screen for the next 5 books can be truthful to their stories. Simply because the rest of the series is very complex, I'm glad they had to make changes.

Ok, back to topic. I love the sets, the costumes, the acting (yes kids included), and the games. The acting was pretty good IMO. Even the kids. I just read another review of the rough copy of PoA and it was pretty disappointing. To those who haven't read them yet, please don't. I'm avoiding spoilers for now on. But one thing I can note is that All of the kids' acting has improved a lot.

[hawk1245]

Great thread! Especially that it shows appreciation and celebrates the fact that these films were even made.

I have to say, I love almost everything from these 2 movies. When I first saw them, my jaw just dropped. They were just how I imagined them to be.
I guess faithfulness to the books isn't a bad thing. We need the faithfulness for the first 2 stories. The interpretation on the big screen for the next 5 books can be truthful to their stories. Simply because the rest of the series is very complex, I'm glad they had to make changes.

Ok, back to topic. I love the sets, the costumes, the acting (yes kids included), and the games. The acting was pretty good IMO. Even the kids. I just read another review of the rough copy of PoA and it was pretty disappointing. To those who haven't read them yet, please don't. I'm avoiding spoilers for now on. But one thing I can note is that All of the kids' acting has improved a lot.

Yay! Another person who loves the first two as much as I do! I think those two reviewers were nothing bu t strict purests. Those kinda peopl hardly get over the smallest change. I heard one say "Neville fell forwards in the book, but he falls backwards in the movie, why can't they get it right?". LOL. I for one think the ending they described sounds cool, but I am alone there I see.

[HermioneJG]

well, i think PoA is lots lots better then PS but worse then CoS. u see, in CoS, everyone is so beautiful and handsome! but in PoA the trio seems to grow and is u compare PoA's Daniel and PS's Daniel, that's lots of lots of different.

[Neonorne]

Set designer Stuart Craig should have had an Oscar. And the adult acting is amazing. The kids all have their shining moments, and they are slowly improving from film to film it seems. The rest is mediocre I'm afraid.

Oh about those screening reports: read them again. It is obvious that what they criticise are the parts that are not finished - and from what they say, they REALLY aren 't finished. So these reviews are nothing to go by. The first part of the film who sounds finished, is highly praised by both reviewers. And the firts reviewer (Emily) says even this unfinished version is better than the first two. PoA will rock.

[hawk1245]

well, i think PoA is lots lots better then PS but worse then CoS. u see, in CoS, everyone is so beautiful and handsome! but in PoA the trio seems to grow and is u compare PoA's Daniel and PS's Daniel, that's lots of lots of different.

LOL. Well, I do think that COS will be the most like the books out of all of the films, cause COS had the most simple plot out of all of 'em. And really, only about three major scenes from the books were never shot.

[Mrs Radcliffe]

I loved the fact that they cast Dan Radcliffe!!!!!!! :)

[Cat]

[QUOTE=Flobberworm
I also loved the costumes. I really like the idea of the uniforms with the different ties and badges for the person's house. The quidditch uniforms are also wonderful. They're completely different from how I thought they would look, but I love them.[/QUOTE]

I love the creation of the uniforms too. The books are mostly set in a traditional boarding school. A school with a difference, but still a school. There is a large schoolyard atmosphere, dotted here and there with homework and text books. But you can't really get these things across on film. It was a stroke of genius to turn the black robe into a mixture of magic and boarding school. Then we have the atmosphere that is needed all the time!

Sometimes things have to be altered slightly in order to remain truthful to the books. The books are more than a series of events that should be copied exactly. There is also ambience and emotion. An exact copy on film would not have the right feel to it, because the ambience of the book is in the writing, something which a film obviously doesn't have. Things have to be adjusted slightly to achieve the correct effect.

Sorry, a bit off topic there. The costumes - is there a thread on the costumes anywhere? - are bloody marvellous. I love how they take styles from different periods, it must be a costume designers dream! Professor Snape's outfit resembles that of an 1800s schoolmaster, but with a wizardy twist. Gilderoy Lockhart's is 1700s dandy, which couldn't suit the human peacock more. Professor Lupin looks... World War time, for some reason...

I also find it amazing that they managed to give Sirius the stripey prison number and make it look good.

[Godrics_Heiress]

The score. The music!!! Whenever you hear Hedwig's Theme anywhere, you'll know it's Harry Potter's! John Williams has made yet another musical trademark with Harry Potter (just like he did with Indiana Jones, Star Wars, E.T., Schindler's List, to name a few) and people would recognize it in an instant they hear it.

[hawk1245]

The set design is was just stunning through out both movies. I just loved the intricate detail present with in PS and CoS. The music is just something I would never forget too, it always gets me in the mood to watch the film when ever or where ever I hear it.

Yeah, I know, the detail is amazing! Like, did you notice that the Invisibility Cloakc has a silver stag on the side? Prongs anyone?

[Larry Potter]

I think the cast was perfect. It would be a shame if they had to choose new Harry's, Hermione's and Ron's.

Godrics right though..

Have any of you noticed how wonderful the music of Harry Potter is? Just by hearing the theme of the movie, everyone knows that "That's Harry Potter!" I don't think it gets enough credit though. For many scenes in the movie, it sets the moods of how you feel about it. For example.

In Harry Potter SS, there is a scene where Harry is walking in the snow while holding Hedwig. From there Hedwig flies off his arm and as he disapears in the clouds, the season changes into spring. What makes that scene so great to me is the music composition. The way it was composed, you can close your eyes and literally see the Harry Potter world in your imagination. The music fits so well with the film, it shows just how wonderful the Harry Potter world is. It brings it to life. It's like a breeze across your face that leaves no stress from whatever is causing you that.

Even the scene when Harry leaves Hogwarts. The second he walks up to Hagrid to say goodbye, the music hits, and instead of a simple good-bye, the music brings emotion of happiness, but at the same time, a sadness from him leaving. And as the movie ends, the music hits a climax that's good enough to say, "Great movie!"

Maybe a lot of people don't see it like I do, but whatever I see, it makes me feel good. The next time you watch a Harry Potter film, pay attention to the music, and see just how much it can truly affect you!

[Auror Williamson]

I loved:

*The casting
*The score
*The set
*The costumes



Casting

While the trio may not be the best actors in the world, I can't imagine having anyone else casted to play the parts of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The casting for the supporting roles was wonderful, with the late but extremely talented Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, and Warwick Davis.

The Score

John Williams did a marvelous job with the sound track of the movies. If there was a single song that I was thinking that represented Harry Potter, Hedwig's Theme would be it. I think John Williams made two poor movies a lot better with his music.

The Set

Great job :tu: Very well constructed, very close to the books.

The Costumes

Almost exactly as I had pictured them. Very good job.

[hawk1245]

The Costumes

Almost exactly as I had pictured them. Very good job.[/QUOTE]

It's kind a funny, but EACH film has a different costume designer. It's hard to decide which is best. I think that COS probably has the title, if you want proof look at the following characters: Ron Weasley (look at the state of his robes!), Lockhart (not TOO flashy, just dandyish), Lucious Malfoy (evil, but not unrealisticly) C. O. Fudge (Great design, and he even has the bowler hat) and of cours the Weasleys! Now COS used lots of costumes from PS, so judge by the new ones. PS had great costumes as well, but I think the COS ones fitted the characters best. POA (thus far) looks to be great as well, but stil not as good as COS. I like how Alfonos made sure that the modern clothes still fit the characters, so you don't say "Dan" instead of Harry, I wonder if he picked which of the actors clothes they would wear, if so he picked well...